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When earthworms are underground, how do they breathe?

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Earthworms don't have any respiratory adaptations and rely on transcutaneous diffusion of oxygen. There is sufficient oxygen in the soil to permit their low energy form of life. When there is heavy rain the water fills all the air spaces in the soil and the worms crawl out of the soil to breathe. read more

Earthworms don’t have any respiratory adaptations and rely on transcutaneous diffusion of oxygen. There is sufficient oxygen in the soil to permit their low energy form of life. When there is heavy rain the water fills all the air spaces in the soil and the worms crawl out of the soil to breathe. read more

There is usually enough oxygen in the soil to keep worms alive. During rainy times, it is suspected that the ground is so moist, there is not enough oxygen to breathe in so they often come will come to the surface in an effort to avoid suffocating. Worms also come to the surface more at night to avoid the heat of the day. read more

« Reply #10 on: 05/04/2004 04:17:51 » I remember hearing or reading about some worms that only live for 90 hours or something short like that when kept in an antioxidant solution their life span almost doubled. read more

Pile of earthworms (Image: Mikhail Kokhanchikov/iStock/Getty Images) Worms breathe through their skin, as they don't have any lungs or nose. Their mouth is used for eating organic and rotting material along with soil. Breathing through their skin allows them to stay underground for long periods. read more

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