Why earthworms surface during heavy rain despite the lethal risks involved
In short: Earthworms are a staple of fishing bait, but they are not aquatic creatures. This video explains why these worms emerge from the soil during downpours, revealing the biological necessity that forces them to risk their lives on the surface.
Earthworms lack lungs and must absorb oxygen directly through their skin. When soil becomes saturated during heavy rainfall, the high water content prevents essential gases from diffusing across their skin, effectively suffocating them underground.
To survive, earthworms are forced to leave their burrows and travel to the surface. This migration is a desperate attempt to breathe, even though it exposes them to significant environmental dangers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Do Fish Really Like Eating Earthworms?
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