Diplocardia floridana

The Earthworm Reproduction Process!

    Earthworms are male and female in one body (hermaphrodite) producing both eggs and sperm. When mating, they clasp together in an elongated, slimy embrace, overlapping their bodies to about a third of their lengths. They lock together in this position on the Clittellum with their heads facing opposite ways. This position allows them to fertilize each other's eggs, which are then passed over the head-end of their body in a protective film which is cast off in the shape of a yellow lemon cocoon. This is accomplished after separation.

    Cocoons may contain up to 20 tiny eggs, which hatch into tiny, white, threadlike worms. The hatching time is approximately 10 days. If the cocoons are dried out or kept in a refrigerator, they stay preserved for as many as 18 months. If the correct conditions for hatching are provided, the eggs then yield their young babies at once. Only a single cocoon full of eggs is necessary to start a new bunch of worms.

    The earthworm will become inactive if the moisture content is too low. Their food source must be organic in composition. As they eat, the digestive system passes the eaten particles through their body and is deposited above or below ground as rich organic soil, called castings.