Earthworm Quiz: Find Out How Much You Know!

Written by Rebecca Bales — Published: May 31, 2023

How to Play:

Pay close attention to the image and captions provided to help you figure out the answer.

Key Points:

Earthworms are remarkable recyclers and play a vital role in decomposing organic matter in the soil, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil fertility.
Earthworms have the ability to regenerate lost segments of their body, allowing them to recover from injuries and continue their vital functions.
Earthworms have a remarkable capacity for burrowing and tunneling through the soil, helping to improve soil structure and aeration, which benefits plant growth and overall soil health.

Welcome to the Earthworm Quiz!

Are you ready to test your knowledge about these fascinating creatures? Earthworms are more than just wriggly creatures found in the soil – they play a crucial role in our ecosystem.

From their remarkable abilities to improve soil quality to their impact on nutrient cycling, earthworms have much to offer.

This quiz will challenge you with a variety of questions about earthworm anatomy, behavior, and their important ecological contributions.

So, let’s dive in and discover how much you truly know about these remarkable underground dwellers!

isolated earthworm — photomaster/Shutterstock.com

What is an earthworm?

A type of annelid

A type of fish

A type of insect

A type of bird

A baby worm can move soil that is 500 times its own weight. — D. Kucharski K. Kucharska/Shutterstock.com

What is the scientific name for an earthworm?

Lumbricus terrestris

Eisenia fetida

Canis lupus

Octopus vulgaris

earthworm on a leaf — iStock.com/Andreas Häuslbetz

What is the average length of an earthworm?

3-4 inches

5-6 inches

1-2 inches

7-8 inches

Interesting Facts About Earthworms

Earthworms possess specialized adaptations for their subterranean existence. Their sleek, streamlined bodies enable them to efficiently navigate through the soil as they burrow.

Unlike creatures with skeletons or rigid structures, earthworms face no hindrance in their movements.

Additionally, their bodies are divided into distinct segments, further enhancing their flexibility and locomotion abilities.

Here are some interesting facts about Earthworms:

Earthworms lack arms, legs, and eyes.
There are around 2,700 distinct species of earthworms.
Worms thrive in environments with an adequate supply of food, moisture, oxygen, and favorable temperatures.
Earthworms have a limited maximum length for their growth.
A single acre of land can house over a million earthworms.

earthworm digging into soil — iStock.com/Christian Dahlhaus

What is the average lifespan of an earthworm?

3-4 years

7-8 years

5-6 years

1-2 years

earthworms digging in soil — iStock.com/Steve Jones

What is the primary diet of an earthworm?

Dirt

Plants

Meat

Insects

What Do Earthworms Eat — Witaya Proadtayakogool/Shutterstock.com

What is the purpose of an earthworm’s digestive system?

All of the above

To produce waste

To absorb water

To break down food into nutrients

Diet: What Do Earthworms Eat?

Earthworms have a unique diet as they consume soil itself. Their nutritional needs are fulfilled by various components found in the soil, including decomposing roots and leaves. Additionally, animal manures play a significant role as a food source for earthworms.

These remarkable creatures also feed on living organisms present in the soil, such as nematodes, protozoans, rotifers, bacteria, and fungi. Their ability to sustain themselves by consuming these diverse elements contributes to their essential role in soil ecosystems.

A farmer showing compost with red worms in his hands at Chuadanga, Bangladesh. — Jahangir Alam Onuchcha/Shutterstock.com

What is the function of an earthworm’s clitellum?

To produce sperm

To produce eggs

To help the earthworm move

To produce a cocoon for reproduction

The Earthworm Nightcrawler (Lumbricus Terrestris). — Liz Weber/Shutterstock.com

How do earthworms breathe?

Through their nose

They don’t breathe

Through their skin

Through their mouth

What is the purpose of an earthworm’s mucus?

To attract mates

To help them breathe

To help them move

To protect their skin

The Evolution of Earthworms

Throughout their evolutionary history, earthworms have undergone multiple transitions between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Within the group Clitellata, which encompasses earthworms, the majority of species are aquatic.

As a result, the genomes of earthworms may still retain ancestral genes that facilitate these habitat transitions, allowing them to adapt and thrive in diverse ecological settings.

This genetic versatility contributes to the remarkable adaptability and resilience of earthworms as they navigate different habitats throughout their evolutionary journey.

Asian jumping earthworms can grow twice as fast as other earthworms — iStock.com/Arrlxx

What is the function of an earthworm’s setae?

To attract mates

To help them move

To help them breathe

To protect their skin

What is the purpose of an earthworm’s crop?

To store food

To absorb nutrients

To produce waste

To break down food

What is the function of an earthworm’s gizzard?

To produce waste

To break down food

To absorb nutrients

To store food

During winter most worms stay in their burrows. They are coiled into a slime-coated ball and go into a sleep-like state called estivation, which is similar to hibernation for bears. — Maryna Pleshkun/Shutterstock.com

What is the purpose of an earthworm’s intestine?

To break down food

To store food

To produce waste

To absorb nutrients

What is the function of an earthworm’s anus?

To break down food

To produce waste

To absorb nutrients

To store food

What is the role of earthworms in soil health?

All of the above

They help improve soil structure

They help aerate the soil

They help break down organic matter

Worm

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About the Author

Rebecca Bales

Rebecca is an experienced Professional Freelancer with nearly a decade of expertise in writing SEO Content, Digital Illustrations, and Graphic Design. When not engrossed in her creative endeavors, Rebecca dedicates her time to cycling and filming her nature adventures alongside her supportive partner. When not focused on her passion for creating and crafting optimized materials, she harbors a deep fascination and love for cats, jumping spiders, and pet rats.