DSC_0283 Large red earthworm (Family: Megascolecidae) with egg capsules. Each egg capsule can hatch from 3-7 worms.The capsule or 'cocoon' can survive freezing, and dry conditions for extended periods of time, and will hatch in warm and moist conditions. Earthworms 'blow' egg capsules - rather like we might blow a bubble. Worm egg capsules are bright golden yellow when first laid and progressively turn brownish red before hatching *
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 *
