Reproduction in earthworms differs from that of many other animals. Each earthworm is both male and female. Still, another earthworm is needed for fertilization to take place. The mating process takes between three and four hours, during which time sperm is exchanged. The worms separate and form cocoons; the cocoon moves forward, picking up eggs at the 14th segment; at the 9th and 10th segments it picks up the sperm deposited by the other earthworm. The cocoon slides over the head, and fertilization takes place. Within 24 hours after the worms mate, the cocoon is deposited in the soil.
The main food of the earthworm is dead plant matter. Much of this comes from what is found near the opening of its burrow. Other food is obtained from soil ingested during the tunneling process. The mouth serves as a suction pump, taking in everything that comes into the creature's path. Soil and sand pass through the gullet to a crop lined with tough skin. Grit in the crop, along with the digestive juices, transforms what is ingested into a paste. Organic substances are digested and the remainder passes through the earthworm and is either dropped underground or cast on the surface.
The main food of the earthworm is dead plant matter. Much of this comes from what is found near the opening of its burrow. Other food is obtained from soil ingested during the tunneling process. The mouth serves as a suction pump, taking in everything that comes into the creature's path. Soil and sand pass through the gullet to a crop lined with tough skin. Grit in the crop, along with the digestive juices, transforms what is ingested into a paste. Organic substances are digested and the remainder passes through the earthworm and is either dropped underground or cast on the surface.
