Do Worms Breathe? Know How Worm's Skin Is Used In Breathing!

Have you ever done any digging?

While digging in the soil, you may see several small pores or hollow spaces. Have you ever wondered what these are or who made them? These are actually made by earthworms!

Earthworms are small invertebrates that live under the soil's surface. They dig these small holes so that air can reach them and they can breathe.

Because they live in soil, they have no antennae or any extra outgrowth with which to respond to their environment. They just have a simple, long body to move easily in soil. In this article, we shall find out about how these animals breathe.

If you like reading such fun articles, then also try our articles on whether woodpeckers migrate and whether wolves mate for life.

Do worms breathe air?

Every organism in this world needs to breathe in order to stay alive. Be it vertebrates or invertebrates, breathing is a must. Invertebrates like worms also breathe. Earthworms who live mostly under the ground surface also breathe air, and in rough conditions, come to the surface in search of oxygen.

Worms are invertebrates that stay underground and can also be found in logs and other dark places. Worms also breathe air to stay alive. However, their way of breathing is a bit different from others.

Worms have no nose through which they can inhale air. Instead of a nose, they inhale oxygen through their skin.

Earthworms pass oxygen and carbon dioxide through their skin cells in order to breathe and survive. Through their skin, earthworms send oxygen directly to their bloodstream. In order to maintain a smooth flow of oxygen, earthworms need to have a moist or wet body, and that's why they secrete mucus from their skin to stay moist.

How do worms breathe underground?

Just like other organisms, worms breathe oxygen to survive. Earthworms who live underground absorb oxygen through their skin and send it directly to their bloodstream. Worms don't have lungs, so the total process of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange happens in their skin only.

Earthworms, and even other worm species who live in soil, breathe dissolved oxygen. Earthworms live in a humid environment where they can find oxygen from moisture.

In order to absorb dissolved oxygen and send it into their body, they need to stay moist, so they release mucus. In a humid environment, earthworms easily stay in the soil as they find moisture there.

But in dry conditions, they go into estivation because if they stay active, their mucus layer will dry out, and ultimately, they will die.

You may have noticed a lot of worms above ground when heavy rain happens. Earthworms don't fear drowning in water because their slime layer doesn't get washed off by water; in fact, water helps their body to stay wet and moist.

However, different earthworms have different breathing rates. Earthworms can survive in soil as long as there is enough dissolved oxygen for them to breathe.

When their reserve of oxygen is empty, they need to come to land or change their position.

When it rains, the outer surface of the soil receives moisture and earthworm species come to the surface. They don't come to the surface when it's dried out because their slime layer will dry up, but in the rain, there is no threat to their moisture layer.

Earthworms can easily survive underwater as long as there is enough oxygen to absorb. After that, they need to change place, or they might drown.

Do worms breathe oxygen?

Yes! Worms do breathe oxygen just like other organisms. Because worms don't have lungs, they use their skin to absorb oxygen and send it to their bloodstream directly. There are different types of worms who live in different places. The common thing between them is that all worm species need air for breathing.

There is more oxygen present in the air than in water. So worms prefer breathing in air more than breathing in water dissolved oxygen.

Earthworms don't have proper mouths or lungs, so they suck oxygen through their body. Earthworms live peacefully in soil and create small holes there.

Through these holes, oxygen enters the soil, and on that oxygen, earthworms generally breathe. They don't leave the ground when there is sun outside because their wet layer would dry up. When it rains heavily, all the holes get clogged with water, and that creates problems for earthworms.

It's not that they can't survive in water, it's just they prefer air more than water for breathing, and that's why they come to the surface. However, the journey doesn't end there, as they need to get back to the soil before the outer environment heats up again.

What do worms breathe through?

Worms breathe through their skin, as they don't have well-developed respiratory organs. Their mouths don't contribute to inhaling air. It is their skin that absorbs oxygen from their surroundings and sends it into their body.

Worms inhale air through their body but only when it is moist. In order to guarantee that they have enough moisture, worms secrete mucus. They never expose themselves to dry places. Worms breathe air under the soil surface as they dig small holes.

This way, they also help the soil itself. Earthworms improve aeration in soil and make the soil more fertile. Worms mainly eat dirt, and if they fail to find food, some ribbon worms eat themselves by digesting their own bodies.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked reading about whether worms breathe, then why not take a look at our articles on dog jaws or insect exoskeletons?