Why are there so many worms out tonight?

[wheaten]

In the field opposite me there are so many worms out tonight. When they sense you, they disappear very quickly down their wormholes. Is there a reason they have all come out, have never seen this before.
Thanks, Wheaten

[slinkycat]

Is rain forecast where you are? Just an idea as they usually emerge when its wet.

[wheaten]

No rain forecast, dry and sunny tomorrow. My Dad thinks it has something to do with the 'supermoon' we've had!

[carlton23]

It`s Spring, and they`re doing what comes naturally, wink wink, if you know what I mean.

[slinkycat]

What, like the close moon is exerting an extra gravitational force and pulling the worms out of their holes ;-)

[wheaten]

Apparently so, Carlton! Just googled 'worms and supermoon', the Americans call this type of moon a 'Worm Moon' as it thaws the ground and the worms come out to play! So my Dad may well be right!
Wheaten

[Hopkirk]

Perhaps it happens every night, but you are normally indoors watching TV.

[slinkycat]

In that case I apologise for my facetious comment :-(

[carlton23]

It`s not just the Birds and the Bees slinkycat.

[Clanad]

Carlton23 isn't far from the truth... fact is worms do come out at night to seek mating. Interestingly, earthworms are all hermaphroditic and when they mate both partners become the earthworm equivalent of pregnant...
Additionally, it must have rained in your area recently. I've noticed (here in the U.S.), as I'm sure we all have, that earthworms tend to come out in bunches after rain, especially on a warm evening. This has a lot to do with the way they "breathe" and if it's still damp out, as in after a rain, they can congregate to mate and "breathe" at the same time, which they can't do if it's warm and dry...

[heathfield]

I don't suppose you have many seagulls in your locale, Clanad. But here in the UK they've learned that by pattering their feet up and down, the worms think it's the sound of rain, and this draws them to the surface.

http://www.youtube.co...7IcaE&feature=related

[Clanad]

No seagulls here, heathfield... very interesting!

[wheaten]

No worms last night. Like the idea that the moon's gravity pulls them out off their holes, Slinkycat, and the worms saying 'Oh no, not again'!

[boxtops]

The seagulls learned that technique by watching the blackbirds, apparently - worms aren't traditional fodder for a seabird (bit like us eating a liquorice allsort).