Why do worms come out in the rain and wind up on the pavement and dry up and die?

Answer 1

They come to the surface during rains (especially in the spring) so they can move overland. The temporarily wet conditions give worms a chance to move safely to new places. Since worms breathe through their skin, the skin must stay wet in order for the oxygen to pass through it. After rain or during high humidity are safe times for worms to move around without dehydrating. It is true that, without oxygen, worms will suffocate. But earthworms can survive for several weeks under water, providing there is sufficient oxygen in the water to support them.

Since worms CAN survive under water the explanation that they surface to avoid drowning is usually an unacceptable THEORY.

Answer 2

The holes that the worms travel through in the soil become filled with water during a rain event. This forces the worms out of the ground and onto the surface of the earth. Once the soil drains the worms can return to their underground homes, but if they do not get back into the soil quickly and the sun comes out the worms will dry up on the pavement. Yuck! :)

Answer 3

Worms need oxygen. When it rains, the dirt fills up with water, so they come up to avoid drowning. Then they crawl onto the pavement and can't find their way back to the soil, so they die.

Answer 4

I suppose that if they stayed in the ground when it was saturated with water, then they would drown. So they come up to the surface.

Later, when it gets hot, the ones on the sidewalk cannot figure out how to get back into the dirt (who said that worms were smart?), so they dry out because they cannot borrow through the hard sidewalk.

Answer 5

worms can drown. They come out because thir holes flood. Often times they cant make it back to thir hole or as in pavement cant dig back through the concrete.

Answer 6

waterlogged soil has insufficient oxygen for the worms, therefore, earthworms come to the surface to get the oxygen they need and breathe more easily.