Many animals fall into hibernation, especially the ones in environments with extreme conditions. For instance, bears hibernate in winter to survive amidst the cold weather. For worm enthusiasts, it can be a question that needs answers as well.
So, you may ask: do worms and earthworms hibernate? Yes, most worms and earthworms hibernate by balling up and staying in their holes, and it’s what we call estivation. Worms ball up and use their mucus to remain moist and help them breathe. Still, many worms also can’t tolerate such conditions, and they die once their environment reaches the point.
Worms are sensitive animals. Thus, it can be challenging for them to thrive in extreme weather conditions. Their skin is usually moist, and it can freeze during winter or dry in the summer. For this reason, they need to find ways to survive, and one of these is through hibernation.
If you also wonder about worms and how they hibernate, read on. In this article, you’ll read about the questions related to worms and their hibernation.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Contents
Can worms and earthworms hibernate?
Worms and earthworms can hibernate. In fact, they need to do so, especially during extreme conditions such as summer and winter.
Worms hibernate in summer, during the hot and dry conditions, and it’s what we call estivation.
On the other hand, worms also hibernate in winter. They do so while waiting for the soil to thaw before moving upward.
Since worms stay underground, they can get easily affected by extreme weather conditions. It’s also the primary reason why they need to hibernate.
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Why do worms hibernate?
As I said, worms do hibernate because they need to do so to survive. Worms need to hibernate since they can’t regulate their temperatures.
Worms, like other bugs, are ectothermic, or often known as cold-blooded. For this reason, they rely on the soil’s temperature or air to keep their bodies warm or cool.
Further, worms only function at their best whenever they are in a specific temperature range.
Since worms have a sensitive body, they can’t survive in extreme climates. Thus, they need to hibernate during such times.
If you look at worms closely, you can see a kind of mucus covering their body. It’s the thing that helps them breathe since they don’t have noses.
Such mucus can dry out during extreme heat in summer or freeze during extreme cold in winter. Thus, hibernation is a worm’s only way to survive such weather.
When do worms hibernate?
Worms hibernate during the two extreme weather conditions, summer and winter.
Worms hibernate in summer, during the hot and dry conditions, and it’s what we call estivation.
On the other hand, worms also hibernate in winter. They do so while waiting for the soil to thaw before moving upward.
As I said, worms only function at their best whenever they are in a specific temperature range.
Since worms have a sensitive body, they can’t survive in extreme climates. Thus, they need to hibernate during such times.
Worms have a kind of mucus covering their body. It’s the thing that helps them breathe since they don’t have noses.
Such a slimy substance can dry out during extreme heat in summer or freeze during harsh cold winter. Thus, hibernation is a worm’s only way to survive such weather.
What happens to worms in winter?
During winter, most of the worms hibernate and stay in their burrows. They act like prisoners below soil frozen hard as a rock and topped by ice and snow.
Worms coil into a slime-coated ball and go into a sleep-like state called estivation. It’s similar to what we call hibernation for bears and other animals.
The mucous or slimy-texture that covers them keeps them from drying out and helps them breathe.
How cold is too cold for worms?
Worms may endure cold conditions by hibernating and balling up. However, some extreme temperatures can also cause their death.
For instance, if the temperature drops below 40° Fahrenheit or freezing point, worms are likely to die.
Since worms have a sensitive body, they can’t survive in extreme climates. Thus, they need to hibernate during such times.
Worms have a kind of mucus covering their body. It’s the thing that helps them breathe since they don’t have noses.
For this reason, worms remain below the soil and ball up to survive. They also hibernate to ensure specific conditions and prevent themselves from freezing up.
What temperature can worms survive in hibernation?
Weather tolerance can vary depending on the kind of worm. Most species find it hard to tolerate temperatures below the freezing point, 0°C and below.
Still, most earthworms do not have a freezing point tolerance. Thus, many of them usually die if their environment reaches that temperature.
Summary
Worms are sensitive animals, so it can be challenging for them to thrive amid extreme weather conditions. Thus, they hibernate during such seasons, and it’s what we call estivation.
During the process, worms ball up and allow the mucus to cover their body. They stay underground where they avoid the freezing point, as well as the extreme heat.
Lastly, while some worms do hibernate and survive, many of them also can’t tolerate the weather and die quickly once their environment reaches a certain point.
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