Have you ever observed the movement of worms? They don’t move very quickly, do they? Unless they find themselves in the stomach of a bird, which is a place no worm desires to be, they do not migrate south for the winter. It is also highly unlikely that they drive or take public transportation. So, where do they go during the winter months?
If you frequently visit Wonderopolis, you probably already know that earthworms are beneficial for gardens. However, gardens do not flourish all year round. So, what do earthworms do when they are not tending to gardens during the winter?
The answers to these questions depend on the type of worm in question. There are numerous types of worms. Can you believe that there are over 4,400 different species of worms worldwide? It is true!
Out of those thousands of worm species, over 2,700 are species of earthworms. However, only a fraction of those can be found in the United States. Nonetheless, at least 30 different types of earthworms call American gardens their home.
Some earthworms choose to reside in the upper layer of soil and leaves and never burrow deep into the soil. These earthworms are unable to survive in cold winter temperatures.
To ensure the survival of their species, they lay eggs in small sacs that protect the eggs from freezing or drying out during the winter. In the spring, the eggs hatch, giving birth to a new generation of worms, continuing the life cycle.
Other earthworms, such as night crawlers commonly used as fish bait, live near the surface during warm weather and burrow deep into the soil during cold weather. When winter arrives, these worms dig tunnels below the frost line.
The frost line, also known as frost depth or freezing depth, refers to the depth at which groundwater in the soil typically freezes during winter. The frost line varies depending on climatic conditions and can be estimated based on latitude. The farther north you go, the deeper the frost line.
In the United States, the frost line ranges from zero feet in warm areas like Florida to six feet or more in cold areas like Alaska. In order to survive freezing temperatures, worms must burrow below the frost line, regardless of their location.
For instance, night crawlers can burrow to depths of six feet or more. Once they are below the frost line, they create small chambers at the bottom of the tunnels they dig. Since worms cannot breathe if their skin dries out, they cover the walls of their nesting chambers with a slimy mucus to keep them moist throughout the winter.
Once worms have burrowed deep enough, the soil maintains a relatively constant temperature, which keeps the worms warm during the winter. This warmer soil acts as a blanket, insulating the worms from the cold.
Night crawlers do not truly hibernate like some animals do in the winter. If there is a warm spell during the winter, night crawlers may occasionally resurface for a short period of time before returning underground when it gets cold again. When spring arrives, worms make their way back to the surface.
Try It Out
Are you ready to learn more about worms? Make sure to engage in the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Choose a spot in your backyard to dig for worms. Use a shovel or a similar tool to dig until you find some worms. Can you identify the type of worms? Do you think they lay eggs or go deeper into the ground to hibernate during winter? Spend some time observing how the worms behave in their natural soil. After you’re done, make sure to return them to their home and cover them with soil!
- Ready to hibernate? If you live in a cold area, you might feel like hibernating right now. What do you enjoy doing when it’s cold outside? We like to snuggle under a thick blanket and drink hot cocoa while watching our favorite movies with our family. What activities does your family engage in when the weather gets frigid?
- Did you know that you can assist your parents in saving money and keeping your house warmer during winter? It’s true! Here are a few simple things you can do to make your house cozy during the long winter months: + Ensure that all windows and doors in your home are completely closed. + Prevent cold air from entering under doors by making homemade door draft snakes! + Help in turning off all outdoor water sources to prevent the pipes in your house from freezing. + Keep the warm air inside your house by closing blinds and curtains over the windows.
Resources to Explore
- http://www.allaboutworms.com/where-do-worms-go-in-the-winter
- http://www.reaps.org/publications/castings/castings_nov10.pdf
- http://www.faqkids.com/44-worms-winter.html
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