laitimes

The wonderful life underground, how do earthworms travel freely in the soil?

author:A celebration of writing

Earthworms are a common invertebrate that plays an important role in soil, improving soil structure and fertility, promoting plant growth, and also providing food for other animals.

But have you ever wondered how earthworms burrow around in hard soil? Do they have any special structures or tricks? Today, we're going to demystify earthworms and see how they move freely underground.

The wonderful life underground, how do earthworms travel freely in the soil?

We need to understand the body structure of earthworms. The body of an earthworm consists of many segments, each of which has a pair of annular and longitudinal muscles. The annulus muscle can thicken or thin the body, and the longitudinal muscle can make the body elongated or shortened. In this way, earthworms can adapt to different environments by changing their body shape by contracting and relaxing different muscles. You can think of an earthworm as a bouncy rubber band that can be stretched and shortened at will.

We need to know that earthworms have a special organ called a spiner. Located between the third and fourth segments of the earthworm's anterior end, the spiner can stick out and pierce into the soil like an awl and then shrink back. In this way, the spiner can help the earthworm open a small hole in the soil to provide space for the body behind. You can compare a stabbing device to a small hammer that can knock a hole in the wall.

The wonderful life underground, how do earthworms travel freely in the soil?

We should note that earthworms also have an important secretion called mucus. Mucus is a thick fluid secreted by mucus cells on the epidermis of earthworms, and it has many functions. For example, mucus can keep the surface of the earthworm's body moist and prevent water loss; Mucus reduces friction and makes it easier for earthworms to slide in the soil; The mucus also immobilizes soil particles and prevents dug holes from collapsing. You can think of slime as a glue or paint that makes the hole more stable and smooth.

We can see that earthworms drill around the ground by using the special structure and secretions of their own bodies. They first use a spiner to open a small hole in the soil, then use the annulus and longitudinal muscles to change the shape of the body into the small hole, and use mucus to keep the small hole stable. In this way, they can move freely underground.

You may think it's hard, but for earthworms, it's a way to survive. Underground, they are protected from sunlight, dryness, cold, and enemies, and can find abundant food and moisture. So, the next time you see little mounds of earth on the ground, don't overlook the wonderful life behind them.

The wonderful life underground, how do earthworms travel freely in the soil?

Except for drilling around in the ground, you know what? Earthworms have many other amazing features and abilities. For example:

Earthworms do not have eyes, ears, noses and teeth, but they can sense light, sound, smell, and taste through their sensory organs.

Earthworms do not have hearts and lungs, but they have five pairs of cardiovascular and epidermal respiratory systems to carry blood and oxygen.

Earthworms have no gender, each is hermaphroditic and can reproduce itself.

Earthworms are able to swallow more than half their body weight every day and excrete feces rich in organic matter and minerals.

Earthworms can tolerate environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, drought, pH, and can regenerate broken or injured parts.

The wonderful life underground, how do earthworms travel freely in the soil?

Earthworms are very adaptable, vigorous and versatile animals. Not only can they drill around the ground, they can also play an important role on the surface. They are precious gifts from nature and play an irreplaceable role in protecting the environment and promoting ecological balance. Therefore, we should respect and love these little lives, and not ignore the wonderful life hidden behind them.

Read on