The world largest earthworm can be found at Australia which known as Megascolides Australis , or also known as Giant Gippsland Earthworm. The worm have been known to grow exceed three meters , I repeat three meters !! in length and up to 1 inch in diameter.
It was first discovered in 1878 and is one of the Australia’s 1000 native earthworm species. Having a dark purple head and a blue-grey body , they line in the subsoil of blue, grey or red clay soil along stream banks and some south or west facing hills of their remaining habitat which is in Gippsland in Victoria, Australia.
The Megascolides Australis live in deep burrow systems and require water in their environment for respiration. These worms rarely leave their moist burrows. They have relatively long lifespan for invertebrates and can take 5 years to reach maturity. They breed in the warmer months and produce large egg cocoons which are laid in their burrows. When these worms hatch in 12 months they are already 20 cm long. They can sometimes be heard in their habitat making gurgling sounds as they move underground.
Megascolides Australis lay large amber colored capsules, just like the ones here in the image provided. These are 4-8 cm in length and about 2cm in diameter. The egg capsule is made of a tough, semi-transparent, horny material called chitin, which gives it the appearance of being made of plastic and resemble cocktail sausages in shape. They are laid close to the soil surface at an average depth of 20cm.
I wonder if we were want to use this worm for our vermicomposting , imagine how much of casting it can produce in a day ?! , but you have to wait until 12 month for the cocoon to hatch and another 5 years for the worm to reproduce….. want to give a try ? :)
Megascolides Australis lay large amber colored capsules, just like the ones here in the image provided. These are 4-8 cm in length and about 2cm in diameter. The egg capsule is made of a tough, semi-transparent, horny material called chitin, which gives it the appearance of being made of plastic and resemble cocktail sausages in shape. They are laid close to the soil surface at an average depth of 20cm.
I wonder if we were want to use this worm for our vermicomposting , imagine how much of casting it can produce in a day ?! , but you have to wait until 12 month for the cocoon to hatch and another 5 years for the worm to reproduce….. want to give a try ? :)
