Giant Gippsland Earthworms

      There are approximately 1,000 species of native earthworms in Australia, including the Giant Gippsland Earthworm. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, it is the longest species. The Giant Gippsland Earthworm has a pinkish-grey body with a dark purple head. They are often uncovered during digging. Injuries sustained by being dug out of their burrows or direct handling by humans will almost certainly kill them. They are very fragile.

      Giant Gippsland Earthworms breed in spring and summer. They produce egg capsules which are 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. The egg capsules are a brownish amber color and are usually found in soil among grass roots. Capsules take more than 12 months of incubation before they develop enough to hatch. The babies are 20 cm. long when they emerge and take about 5 years mature.


Habitat

      Giant Gippsland Earthworms live in a complex series of burrows up to 2m. deep. These burrows are commonly found in grey or red clay soil, especially along stream banks or in gullies. Moist surroundings are critical for the survival of these organisms. Because of this, they spend almost all of their lives underground.

      According to Endangered Species magazine, there are worms living at only 42 sites out of a possible 500 or so. The presence of Giant Gippsland Earthworms can be heard if you stamp the ground above their burrows. Startled by the overhead disturbance, they will slide rapidly through the series of tunnels and create a very distinct gurgling. This noise is caused by the Giant Gippsland Earthworm's slipping through a special fluid secretion that they produce to lubricate their burrows.


What is causing their decline?

      Right now, the greatest threat to the Giant Gippsland Earthworm appears to be habitat degradation. They are unable to survive such intensive disturbances as land clearing for agriculture, trampling by livestock, and destruction of stream banks. Poor water quality also contributes to their precarious existence, as well as colluction for diplays.

      Another large problem that threatens the survival of the Giant Gippsland Earthworms is the use of agricutlural stpays such as pesticides and fungicides. Many of these products are toxic to them. The worms may be exposed to these toxins by eating them directly, or absorbing the chemicals through their skin. These sprays may also contaminate water supplies.

      This species is now protected and permits are required for any research conducted on these worms. Conservationists are also encouraging landowners to cooperate in their efforts. Landowners can help by fencing in their stream banks and set aside areas for the Giant Gippsland Earthworms to inhabit. The town of Korumburra even has an annual worm festival called Karmai, after the aboriginal word for giant earthworm. It celebrates the worm with parades, carnivals and even an earthworm queen. You can read about it here. All this is encouraging, because if the number of Giant Gippsland Earthworms is allowed to decline much more, this species will be in serious danger of extinction.

      For more information on preserving Giant Gippsland Earthworms, please contact:
Natural Resources and Environment website:


Resources:

Endangered Species Magazine, Info and photos supplied by Beverly Van Praagh, Spring 2000

Guiness Book of World Records

Natural Resources and Environment website:

Gippsland Giant Earthworm Discovery Channel School, original content provided by World Book Online,

Worms! From the Allegedly Funny.com website.