Name:
Period:
Earthworm Lab
In this lab you will use your observation skills to study an earthworm. You will also use the
scientific method to answer some questions you may have about the worm. If you follow
directions, you will not hurt the worm. If you purposely hurt or maim the worm in any way you
will receive a ZERO and a referral will be sent home. Please read the following:
Earthworms’ bodies are made up of ring-like segments called annuli. These segments are covered in setae, or
small bristles, which the worm uses to move and burrow. They burrow during the day—typically keeping close
to the surface—capable of digging down as deep as 6.5 feet (2 meters).
The worm’s first segment contains its mouth. As they burrow, they consume soil, extracting nutrients from
decomposing organic matter like leaves and roots. Earthworms are vital to soil health because they transport
nutrients and minerals from below to the surface via their waste, and their tunnels aerate the ground. An
earthworm can eat up to one third its body weight in a day.
Worms also mate on the surface. They are hermaphroditic but do not self-fertilize.
Earthworms are a source of food for numerous animals, like birds, rats, and toads, and are frequently used in
residential composting and as bait in commercial and recreational fishing. Their numbers are strong throughout
their range—they’re even considered agricultural pests in some areas—
Follow the directions:
1. Look at your worm. Please record the following observations below: (what is it doing? How does it
move? What color is it?)
2. Look at your illustration below and compare it to your worm. Label the head and tail, how did you
determine this?
3. In this experiment we will be observing the effects of 3 solutions that we will apply to the worm. Water,
Salt Water, and Vinegar. Write out 3 hypothesis for each solution and be sure to include an IF / THEN /
BECAUSE statement for each one.
Example: If we put Kool-Aid (not one of the substances) on the worm, then the worm will stop moving
because the Kool-Aid contains sugar which soothes the worms skin and relaxes it.
Water:
Salt Water:
Vinegar
4. Take the Q-tip and dip it in the container labeled water. Place it next to the worm, barely touching it.
Record its behavior.
5. Take the Q-tip and dip it in the container labeled Salt Water. Place it next to the worm, barely touching
it. Record its behavior.
6. Take the Q-tip and dip it in the container labeled vinegar. Place it next to the worm, barely touching it.
Record its behavior.
7. Record your results below and answer the following questions.
8. Why does the worm move the way it does?
9. Why do you think the worm reacted the way it did when you touched it with
*Water
*Salt Water
*Vinegar
10. Where do worms live and what do they eat?
11. What purpose does the skin of the worm serve?