Earthworms make the world a better place — literally.
Earthworms are not just fish bait. They make the world a better place just by being in it — literally. When these little creatures move through the earth, they transport nutrients from deep in the soil to the surface, increasing soil fertility; they recycle organic material, processing 2,000–20,000kg of waste per 2 acres each year (wow!) which helps the environment; and they improve soil structure by aerating it, ready for planting.
If you’re interested, you can read more (open-source research) about earthworms and ecology here, here or here.
In heavy rain, many earthworms (and fellow invertebrates) migrate to the surface. They do this for one reason: to breathe. Earthworms follow a diurnal rhythm (this is an extension of the circadian rhythm), and essentially their night rhythm involves getting more oxygen (and moving to the surface enables this). Now, not all earthworms are the same- research shows that the Amynthas gracilis worm is more likely to come to the surface in rain than the Pontoscolex corethrurus worm.
Earthworms need oxygen just like we do. The difference? They breathe in the oxygen through their skin by a process of diffusion. For diffusion to occur, worms need to have moist skin. This allows oxygen to be absorbed and carbon-dioxide to be released. Without damp conditions, earthworms suffer.
Though it is generally thought that earthworms (and other invertebrates), do not feel pain, there is building evidence (here, here, here, and to some extent, here) that these creatures actually do suffer.
If we know all this, then rescuing an earthworm after the rain seems logical.
I’ve researched the process and it involves providing the found earthworm with water, to re-hydrate its dry body, and to make sure the worm is gently placed back on the soil.
A beautiful account of this information I found on a Tibetan Buddhist Dharma blog, and I’m sharing their position directly here:
“How to rescue worms:
- Bring the worm to a safe place.
- Examine it carefully to see what’s wrong.
- If it looks too dry, take it home.
- Build a habitat using a container filled with damp soil and leaves.
- Place the worm in a damp paper towel inside the habitat in a quiet place.
- Let the worm rest, this may take a few minutes or a few hours depending on whether it needs to discard a dead section of its body. Keep it captive for the shortest amount of time possible.
- Say many prayers for the worm, surround it with holy objects, play recordings of the Medicine Buddha prayer.
- When it has fully healed, find a shaded area in the woods. Water the ground if it’s too hard. Make sure there aren’t any ants nearby. Ants might attack the worm. If possible, water the area regularly if the dry weather continues.
By setting your motivation correctly and dedicating all the merit from your efforts, you create immeasurable good karma and please countless Buddhas. Rejoice!”
Here’s a link to a very detailed caring article for rescuing worms in a variety of weather conditions.
I tried to rescue a worm this morning, and watching it breathe in the water, after suffering on the dry pavement — there’s something heartbreaking but beautiful in that. Even though the worm might die, if we help, we give it chance. And therein, I believe lies a deeper lesson of kindness for the world.
We have a choice, every day, to either act with LOVE or act with FEAR. In fear, humans act with self-interest, dysregulation, anger, or frustration… but with love, we may be more vulnerable, yet we are also kind, gentle, authentic, forgiving, genuine and open. With acts of love, we can make the world a better place. And rescuing an earthworm or two is a pretty good place to start.
