European+Nigtcrawlers

European Nightcrawlers-//Eisenia hortensis//



European Nightcrawlers have both male and female reproduction organs must can still mate. They mate and lay eggs mainly during spring and fall. They will lay one or two cacoons for the eggs to be held in. Two or more baby worms will emerge from the eggs. It takes the baby worms a year to reach maturity. These worms can live up to 10 years.
 * Class:** Clitellata
 * Location:**Europe
 * Size:** 3-8 inches long
 * Habitat:**European Nightcrawlers orignally came from Europe, but some came over to the U.S.  European Nightcrawlers like to live in garden soil. They burrow deep into the ground. The garden soil has to be very rich and have plent of organic matter. They live and are active in temperatures between 60° and 70° F.
 * Living Requirements:**
 * **European Nightcrawlers need a good amount of soil because they eat the soil as they burrow through the ground. They feed off of the decay from the surface. They feed better in organic surface debris and adapt well to changing enviroments. They adapt better in the cold weather.
 * Life Cycle:**
 * Male and Female Differences:** They don't have any differences since they have both male and female reproduction systems.
 * Interesting Fact:**
 * European Nightcrawlers have no eyes but have cells that can sense light.
 * European Nightcrawler are good to have in a garden to help with the soil.
 * Human Impact:** Humans don't have good impact on worms. People use most of them as bait for fishing. They can help people with their gardens by eating the decay from the surface.



Zookeeper: Marissa Jenkins References: [] [] []