If you’re interested in learning more about earthworms, the Earthworm Society of Britain runs courses and events around the country.Dave lived his life in a vegetable patch in Widnes, a small industrial town in Cheshire along the River Mersey. 'I look forward to seeing if anyone can find an even bigger example by taking part in the Earthworm Watch survey this autumn.'Įarthworm Watch is a survey of earthworms and soil quality run by the Museum and the Earthwatch Institute in association with the Earthworm Society of Britain.Įarthworms improve soil fertility and ability to store carbon by mixing in dead plant material, and their burrows increase the amount of air and water that can enter.Ĭitizen scientists around the UK are taking part in Earthworm Watch to help researchers investigate how human activities such as planting schemes, moving topsoil and adding fertilisers affect the ability of earthworms to create healthy soils.įind out more about Earthworm Watch and how to take part on our project page. Earthworms are incredibly important to keep soils healthy.' Could you find a bigger worm?Įarthworms have lots of predators and normally in the wild they don't survive long enough to reach Dave's size.Įmma comments, 'With worms this size Paul must have an incredibly fertile and well-drained veg plot with decaying matter quickly recycled back into the soil. Only very few are kept as a record of the population, such as if they are found in a new place or are particularly unusual such as this one. The Museum routinely monitors earthworms and normal practice is to identify and release them. The record-breaking worm will become part of the scientific collection of 80 million specimens at the Museum.Įmma Sherlock adds, 'This may seem sad, but by being part of the scientific collection this earthworm will have a legacy that lasts beyond all of our lifetimes, helping scientists today and tomorrow to understand and protect this species and its environment.'
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