World's Heaviest Earthworm Found, Then Killed

Nationak Geographic ^ | NOVEMBER 4, 2016 | Mary Bates

[nickcarraway]

Dave, a 16-inch-long earthworm discovered recently in England, will become part of the collection at the Natural History Museum in London.

What Paul Rees recently discovered among his vegetables in England's Cheshire County is anything but garden variety: a gigantic earthworm.

Rees's stepson, George, named the behemoth Dave. He's the longest earthworm recorded in the United Kingdom—almost 16 inches—but it's his mass that has really impressed scientists. Dave weighs nearly an ounce, almost twice as heavy as any other wild earthworm ever seen. That's about the size of a small chocolate bar.

Before Dave, the largest earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) was a Scottish specimen found in 2015 that weighed about half an ounce. (Read about the biggest insect that ever lived.)

In London, the Natural History Museum's Emma Sherlock said she was astonished by the find.

“I was bowled over by the size of the worm when I opened the plastic box they sent it in,” Sherlock said in the press release. (The museum told National Geographic that Sherlock was not available for an interview.)

“I look forward to seeing if anyone can find an even bigger example by taking part in the Earthworm Watch survey this autumn," says Sherlock, who also chairs the Earthworm Society of Britain.

To the chagrin of many of his social media fans, Dave was killed for scientific reasons and will now be on display as part of the museum's collection.

Twitter users expressed their anger at the worm's fate at #davetheworm and even created a Twitter account for the dead invertebrate, @PoorDaveTheWorm.

Earthworms Make Happy Soil This earthworm species is common throughout Europe, where they usually reach lengths of between eight to 10 inches. Because earthworms have many predators, the invertebrates normally do not survive long enough in the wild to reach Dave's proportions. Their life span is unknown, but the worms have reached six years old in captivity.

Dave also plays an equally huge role in his ecosystem by keeping soils healthy. The animals boost the soil's carbon storage by mixing in decomposing plant material, which also helps improve soil fertility. (Also see "Mysterious Mounds in South America Are Likely Worm Poop.")

For instance, earthworm burrows increase the amount of air and water in soil, making the land aerated and productive. (Test your soil IQ.)

“With worms this size, Paul [Rees] must have an incredibly fertile and well-drained vegetable plot with decaying matter quickly recycled back into the soil,” Sherlock said.

[Cold Heart]

No kidding, Sherlock

[Berlin_Freeper]

While diving in Bali, this tourist came across a very unusual form of sea creature .....
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2e8_1478566274#olfvm5DuYVVGVbeB.99

[dfwgator]

Doity little boid.
Sittin’ on the coib.

Choipin’ and boipin’
And eatin’ doity oit’ woims.

[wildbill]

We didn’t weigh them, but back in elementary school in San Antonio texas, huge earthworms would come to the surface of the schoolyard after heavy rains.

I think they would have easily surpassed 16 inches. I always thought they just got filled up with water or something. I never have seen anything like it since.

[Boogieman]

Nah, “shai hulud” was the the Fremen name for the worms. Or “shaitan” (satan).

[Boogieman]

Probably a different species down there.

[jacknhoo]

Put that baby on a hook.

[TonyM]

If I had a worm that big for fishing bait I wonder if I could catch a 200 pound bluegill.

[BRK]

What do you name a thing like that? I call it the Butt Faced Jelly Spider Fish. How’s that?

[OldSmaj]

After I retired from the US Army, I briefly worked as a Constable...which required the serving of Court-issued Warrants of Arrest.

I had to serve a warrant on a guy for Theft of Property.

Before I went in search of him, I read the affidavits, etc.

The guy was notorious for sneaking on private land and "fiddling for worms".

He was caught with a five gallon bucket full from one guys property and the guy pressed charges.

I actually went to the issuing judge and asked if it was a joke of some sort.

Nope...real thing.

Long story short, I got a demonstration from the guy.

Never saw anything like it.

He stuck a long wooden rod in the ground and began rubbing back and forth on it with another piece of wood...and worms started literally flowing out of the ground.

Amazing sight to see.

He told me that under the right conditions, he could get two to three 5-gallon buckets full in one night.

Consider that a small Styrofoam container holds about 20-30 worms for 3 to 6 bucks per container...

His meth habit was well fueled.

Until he got caught.

[NonValueAdded]

“Dave’s not here”

anymore

[shotgun]

from Wikipedia: Little is known about the giant Palouse earthworm. The worm is believed to grow up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Modern specimens, however, have been observed up to only about half that length. The worm is albino in appearance. Prior to its rediscovery in 2010, the worm was believed to give off a scent similar to that of the lily flower when handled[2] and that it was able to spit in self-defense;[3] however, the specimens captured did not exhibit these capabilities.[5] This species' native habitat consists of the bunch grass prairies of the Palouse region. The fertile soil consists of deposits of volcanic ash and rich layers of organic matter, thought to sustain the worm during dry seasons. The worm burrows deep during summer droughts and is able to conserve water in its nephridia.

[PLMerite]

[Tax-chick]

Tom the Son has eaten more than one. He can’t refuse a challenge.

[meadsjn]

World's Heaviest Earthworm Found, Then Killed

That is the time to go after the world's biggest fish.

[trisham]

Bongo Fury is the black and white Mini Bull Terrier. He's always hungry. :)

[Tax-chick]

Cute little guy. Your other dog seems very patient.

[trisham]

Frankie is amazing. He takes after his great-grandfather, Zappa.

[Tax-chick]

His expression is priceless.

[trisham]

Thank goodness he’s as young as he is. Bongo is either full on or snoring.