1. Classifying Worm Species

2. Worms species come in three general categories  Litter dwelling (Epigeic)  Soil dwelling (Endogenic)  Deep burrowing (Anecic)

3. Identifying Adult Worms  Adult worms have a thickened segment in their mid section that houses their reproductive organs, the clitellum

4. Litter Dwelling Earthworms  Do not build permanent burrows  Live in and consume the leaf-litter layers of the forest floor  Are typically the kind of worm you would find in a compost heap  Relatively small - between 2 cm and 7 cm long

5. Soil Dwelling Earthworms  Build permanent burrows and rarely come to the surface  Are unpigmented  Only come to the surface if there is very heavy rainfall

6. Deep Burrowing Earthworms  Burrow deep into the ground (up to six feet)  Burrows are covered by a pile of feces and leaves called a “midden”  Deeply pigmented with a lighter tail  Adults can grow up to 15 cm long  Typically used as fishing bait

7. Deep Burrowing Earthworms Burrows

8. Deep Burrowing Earthworms Midden