Why do a lot of earthworms come to the surface when it rains?

Question

And then expire?

Get past the "ick" factor and think about this one scientifically. :o}

Answer 1

Earthworms breathe through their skin. When they are in a moist hole their skin has no trouble taking the oxygen out of the moist tunnel air. When it rains the tunnels fill with water. This water has very little dissolved oxygen in it since it has no contact with the surface. So the worms begin to choke (so to speak). They then move to the surface where the water comes in contact with the air to replenish the oxygen they took out of it. They die when they remain on the surface too long and dry out.

Answer 2

They probably don't want to drown down in the ground and then they drown anyway? Never really thought about it before.

Answer 3

eatrhworms respire thru their skin n 4 tht they keep their skin moist .they get their moisture thru various liquid wastes which r secreted thru their body.when they *** on surface their skin dries out n they die.in Rainy season their hideouts fill wid water n they cannot respire(they cannot take O2 frm water..rem NO gills).so they need to *** to surface .
do u no u can kill them by sprinkling salt over them!!! when u do so moisture on skin gets absorbed n they cannot respire so they die due to suffocation!
hope u find my stuff useful to clear ur doubt...!

Answer 4

Its the same routine when salmon spawn - they come to the surface to be eaten by birds, while the salmon get eaten by bears.

Its called "exhibitionism".

Answer 5

Taking a shower

Answer 6

worms need water to survive so they come up to the surface to absorb more into their bodies.

Answer 7

well the worms like moisture, so when it rains, they come to the surface to be in the moisture. thats it.

Answer 8

think coz the rain washes away the soil exposing them

Answer 9

i think they are forced out because there holes become filled with water and they would drown.

Answer 10

They would drown otherwise