4-H Vermicomposting

A 5th grade school enrichment program

Lesson 3: Earthworm Anatomy

• Objectives– Learn and discuss internal and

external anatomy of worms– Discover some characteristics of

worms• Review

– Why are earthworms important– Describe the set-up of a worm bin

Did you know?

• Worms have no eyes and are sensitive to light

• Worms have no lungs or gills and breathe through their skin

• A worm’s skin needs to be moist to breathe, so bedding must be moist

They do not wear glasses either!

External Anatomy of a Worm

(1) Anus—where waste is excreted from worm

(2) Segments—areas of worm’s outer body that bend, stretch and aid in movement

(3) Setae—stiff hairs on exterior of worm that help it move

(4) Clitellum—located near worm’s head; genitalia is located here

(5) Mouth—where worm ingests food

Earthworms’ Internal Organs

Is an earthworm a vertebrate (an animal with a backbone) or an invertebrate (has no backbone)?

Worm Cocoons

•Worms cocoons contain an average of 3 baby worms

•Cocoons are shaped like lemons 1/8 of an inch long

Questions to Answer While Examining Your Worm:

(1) How does worm feel and react to touch?

(2) How can you tell which end is the head or tail?

(3) How does the worm move?

(4) Does the worm have an odor?

(5) What color is the worm? Does it have markings?

(6) Can you see through the skin? What do you see?

(7) Does the worm have a swollen band around it? If so, what is it called?