DSC_6936 Variegated pink and white earthworm (Eodrilus annectens) an agile, fast moving earthworm that often sheds its tail while escaping - an adaptation to living alongside the earthworm eating snail (Powelliphanta patrickensis) perhaps. This is a common earthworm on the Denniston Plateau, and just one of more than twenty native earthworm species living in the so-called 'impoverished' soils of the coal measures *
DSC_6958 Green earthworm (Maoridrilus michaelseni) one of more than twenty native earthworm species living in the 'impoverished' soils over coal measures on the Denniston Plateau *
11005-10001 Grey earthworm (Octolasion cyaneum) a widespread introduced earthworm. This topsoil species lives in soil close to the surface, feeding on dead plant material. Found in leaf litter in red beech forest in the Bealey Area. Hawdon Valley *