Earthworm Dissection Project
By Don Choi
Objectives
We will explore and learn more about the insides of an Earthworm and how they function.
Background Information
Scientific Name- Lumbricus Terrestris
Habitat- Mostly in Soil
Predators- Moles, Birds, Raccoons, Armadillos, Scorpions, Millipedes
Prey- Dead and Decaying Plant and Animal Matter
Niche- To decompose dead and decaying matter
Ecological Adaptations- Setae (locomotion), Streamlined Shape (living in tight burrows), circular and longitudinal muscles (locomotion
Dissection Pictures
Digestive System
How it Works
Food such as soil enters the earthworm’s mouth where it is swallowed by the pharynx. Then the soil passes through the esophagus, then into the crop where it is stored and then eventually moved into the gizzard. The gizzard uses stones that the earthworm eats to grind the food completely. The food moves into the intestines as gland cells in the intestine release fluids to aid in the digestive process. The intestinal wall contains blood vessels where the digested food is absorbed and transported to the rest of the body.