2007-08-11 08:40:54 · 8 answers · asked by owlet04 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
It's a defence mechanism along the same lines as a lizard when it sheds it's tail.
2007-08-11 08:52:03 · answer #1 · answered by Chris P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know since it is a complete myth that you get two worms out of one. It is possible for a worm to regenerate depending on where is was divided, but the other end will not survive or grow a head.
You are asserting that the rear end slithered away, right?
"Despite the common myth that a worm split in two will eventually grow into two worms, they don't actually have that ability.
Still, earthworms very resilient! An earthworm can survive being cut almost in half! The tail will die, but the head section will grow a new tail, thinner and sometimes a different color than the original".
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/profile_worms.htm
"8. Contrary to popular belief, worms cannot reproduce by being cut into small pieces. However, they do have amazing healing powers. If you cut a worm in half, both sides will continue wiggling. The portion with the head may grow a new tail if the cut is after the segments that contain vital organs. The tail portion will continue to wiggle until the nerve cells die. The tail end will not grow a new head".
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/moreworms.html
2007-08-11 15:49:30 · answer #2 · answered by Sptfyr 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Regeneration of both a head 'and' tail depends on the species, some can, some can't. The halves "running" in opposite directions would seem to be a survival instinct, I've seen the same thing. RScott
2007-08-11 16:16:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure how true this is but i was always told that they can live if there cut in half, apparently they have a "brain" at both end s and simply you made two worms ! cant see how it could do that but that though!
2007-08-11 15:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by Andy F 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you cut a worm in two, it divides and becomes two worms.
At least, that is what I remember from biology many years ago!
2007-08-11 15:47:54 · answer #5 · answered by kiteeze 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's like the 2-headed cat~ LOL...really one end will die off, the other will grow a rear end.
2007-08-11 15:51:28 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sat nav dis-connected.
2007-08-11 15:47:30 · answer #7 · answered by beavis b 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
was one half called arthur by any chance.
2007-08-11 20:38:06 · answer #8 · answered by HaSiCiT Bust A Tie A1 TieBusters 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋