How far down do worms dig?

Question

How far down do worms dig?

Answer 1

The great ice sheets from the ice age scoured much of the U.S.A., and ALL of Canada free of worms.  The worms you see now ar imported (not native).  They do not burrow much farther than 12 inches.  They spend much of their life living in the top 6 inches (when it's warm).

One of the U.S.A'.s  native worms (terribly endangered) burrows down 15 FEET (or more).  That is because the evolved with the native grasses of the prarie.  Prarie grass often have very deep roots.

By the way, the native worm I'm speaking of is 6 FEET long, white, spits in self defence, and smells like lillies when handled.  Sound like something out of a sci-fi book, doesn't it?

If you are interested, Google the words "Giant Palouse Earthworm."

~Garnet

Homesteading/Farming over 20 years

Answer 2

They go as far down as needed to stay warm so if the ground freezes they pass that. So where you live it may be 3' to 5' feet.

Answer 3

It all depends on the species of worm. Some worms dig down to 2cm others several feet.

Answer 4

I have no idea, but this question cracked me up. Where did the thought how far do worms dig come from? LOL...

Answer 5

sorry dude, i am a human not a worm try watching animal planet

Answer 6

ask a worm =]

Answer 7

As a gardener never yet come across a worm with a spade, so sorry they do not dig, they burrow, only in the topsoil, not usually deeper then 12 to 18 inches, depending on temperature worms will not burrow out of the top few inches where the food is available!

            Cheers Tony,

Answer 8

Well, I'm 60 now, but I remember when they sent the 'dozers and earth-scrapers to landscape the field opposite where I lived.

I recall quite clearly that they were about 4 feet down, and well into the clay subsoil, but the earthworm holes were distinctive even at that depth.

Who said they dug and never found an earthworm? That's worrying - perhaps they're exinct :(