10 Common Earthworm Myths Explained

Myth: Earthworms Can Bite

False. Earthworms cannot bite people. Although they have a small mouth at the front of their body, they do not have teeth or jaws that can bite skin. Their mouth is designed to swallow tiny pieces of dead leaves, decaying plants, fungi, and soil. If your child gently holds an earthworm, there is no need to worry about being bitten.

Myth: Earthworms Can Sting

False. Earthworms have no stingers. Unlike bees, wasps, or some caterpillars, earthworms have no way to sting or inject venom. They are completely harmless to people.

Myth: Earthworms Are Poisonous

False. Earthworms are not poisonous. They do not produce venom or toxins that can harm people through touch. However, like any wild animal, they can carry bacteria or other microorganisms from the soil. Children should always wash their hands after handling earthworms and before eating. This is a good habit after touching any wild animal or playing in soil.

Myth: Earthworms Can Drown

Partly True. Many people believe earthworms come out after rain because they are drowning underground. Scientists do not think this is the main reason.

Earthworms breathe through their moist skin. As long as the water contains enough dissolved oxygen, they can continue breathing even in saturated soil.

After heavy rain, many earthworms come to the surface because the damp conditions allow them to travel safely without drying out. However, if soil remains flooded for a long time and oxygen levels become very low, earthworms can eventually die from a lack of oxygen.

Myth: Earthworms Sleep Like People

False. Earthworms do not sleep the way humans do. They do not have eyelids, and their simple nervous system does not produce sleep in the same way our brains do. Instead, they have periods of reduced activity and are generally most active at night or during cool, damp conditions.

Myth: Earthworms Are Blind

True... but not completely. Earthworms do not have eyes. However, they are not completely unaware of light. Special light sensitive cells in their skin help them detect the difference between light and darkness. This is why earthworms quickly move away from sunlight and prefer to stay underground.

Myth: Earthworms Can Hear

False. Earthworms do not have ears. Instead, they detect vibrations moving through the soil. These vibrations may help them sense nearby predators, such as birds or moles. If you gently tap the ground near an earthworm, it may react to the vibration even though it cannot hear the sound.

Myth: Earthworms Cannot Feel Anything

False. Earthworms respond to touch, vibrations, temperature, and light. Scientists know they have a nervous system that allows them to detect and respond to their environment. Whether earthworms experience pain the same way humans do is still being studied.

Because we cannot know exactly what an earthworm experiences, scientists and educators recommend handling them gently and respectfully. Teaching children to care for even the smallest living things helps build empathy and respect for nature.

Myth: If You Cut a Worm in Half, It Becomes Two Worms

False. This is one of the most common myths about earthworms. An earthworm does not become two new worms if it is cut in half. Some species can regenerate a small portion of the tail if only the end is injured. However, the back half cannot grow a new head. Serious injuries are usually fatal. This is why children should always handle earthworms with gentle hands.

Myth: People Eat Earthworms

Sometimes True. Most people do not eat earthworms.

Because earthworms live in soil, they may contain grit, bacteria, parasites, or environmental contaminants. For this reason, wild earthworms are not considered a normal food.

In some parts of the world, certain earthworm species have been eaten after careful preparation, but this is uncommon and not recommended for children or for wild worms found outdoors.

What to Notice Together

The next time your child finds an earthworm, ask:

Which myths have you heard before?
What surprised you the most?
What clues tell us that earthworms are harmless?
Why do you think people believed some of these myths?

Learning to ask questions helps children become careful observers and thoughtful thinkers.

Continue the Adventure Outdoors

Reading about earthworm myths is a great way to begin learning, but seeing an earthworm in its natural habitat helps children replace myths with real observations. Watching how it moves, noticing where it lives, and asking questions together builds understanding that lasts far beyond a single walk.

At Little Hikers Long Island, families explore nature side by side, discovering the local plants, insects, and animals that live in our parks. Every class encourages children to observe closely, ask thoughtful questions, and understand the natural world through hands on experiences.

If you would like to continue exploring the nature of Long Island together, we would love to have you join us on the trail.

About Little Hikers Long Island

Little Hikers Long Island is a fully outdoor parent and child nature program at West Hills County Park in Huntington, New York. Through hands-on exploration, families learn about the local plants, insects, animals, and seasonal changes found right here on Long Island. Children learn to observe closely, ask thoughtful questions, compare what they see, and build a lasting relationship with the natural world around them.

Our goal is to help children become careful observers, confident explorers, and future stewards of the places they call home, because children protect what they understand.

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