After earthworms mate, their fertilised eggs are held in a protective cocoon.The baby worms (hatchlings) emerge and burrow into the soil, where they grow into juvenile then mature worms.
How long does a worm live?
Worms can live as long as four years. When worms die in the bin, their bodies decompose and are recycled by other worms, along with the food scraps. Worm castings are toxic to live worms.
How many stages are in the life cycle of an earthworm?
Though a worm's life cycle is not as clearly defined as a butterfly's we classify 4 stages of its life from egg to baby to “teenage” to adult. Students are challenged to observe and compare worms in order to categorize them into one of these 4 stages. Keep in mind that worm eggs are very hard to find.
How many babies do earthworms have?
A cocoon starts with up to 10 eggs, but only 2 to 6 worms will eventually emerge. Hatchlings are tiny, less than an inch long. They soon grow into full-sized worms, depending on environmental conditions. For example, sufficient food, comfortable temperatures, and proper moisture levels help the little ones grow faster.
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