Worms, stemming from the Old English word wyrm, are typically legless, smooth, slender, invertebrates. Worms play important ecological roles as soil conditioners and parasites to crops, animals, and humans. Free-living worms are not found on land, but rather, burrowed underground, in marine, or freshwater environments while parasitic worms are typically found in the intestines of their host. Worms range in size, from microscopic to nearly 190 feet. Worms typically refers to earthworms, bristle worms, roundworms, flatworms, bootlace worms, arrow worms, priapulid worms, and insect larvae. Interestingly, the blindworm is actually a limbless, snakelike lizard, despite its misnomer.

What do worms eat?

Worms are able to eat their body weight every day and tend to eat their food as it starts to decompose. A worm’s diet typically consists of dead plants, some living plants, dead animals, animal feces, bacteria, fungi, and microscopic worms.

How do worms reproduce?

Worms have both male and female sexual organs making them hermaphrodites. Worms are able to reproduce by lining themselves up at their heads and attaching themselves at the clitella. A cocoon is then formed at the clitella band. Each cocoon has 1 to 5 worms, and will hatch when the conditions are right.

Why do worms come out when it rains?

Worms breathe oxygen by absorbing it through its skin. While raining, soil may get too much rain and oxygen in the soil will run out. This causes worms to come out when it rains. Worms are only safe above ground when it is dark, since they run the chance of being eaten by a bird, or being killed by the sun.

Worms Guides
Browse through our curated Worms Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Worms. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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2.75”-3.74” | 2.5-9.5 cm (Diameter)
1.97”-5.91” | 5-15 cm
.002-.1 lb | 1-45 g
2.5-3.5 years
Bearded Fireworm
9.500
15.000
0.045
3.50
1600
GUIDE
3D
Bearded Fireworm
.79”-1.97” | 2-4 cm (Diameter)
3.28’-9.84’ | 1-3 m
.77-1 lb | .35-.45 kg
3-5 years
Bobbit Worm
4.000
300.000
0.450
5.00
47300
GUIDE
3D
Bobbit Worm
.28”-.39” | 7-10 mm (Diameter)
7.87”-9.84” | 20-25 cm
.01-.09 lb | 5-40 g
4-8 years
Common Earthworm
1.000
25.000
0.040
8.00
6800
GUIDE
3D
Common Earthworm
.2”-.24” | 5-6 mm (Diameter)
1.97”-5.12” | 5-13 cm
.002-.003 lb | 1-1.5 g
1-3 years
European Nightcrawler
0.600
13.000
0.002
3.00
700
GUIDE
3D
European Nightcrawler
.08”-.12” | 2-3 mm (Diameter)
5.91”-27.56” | 15-70 cm
1-12 months
Flea Tapeworm
0.300
70.000
1.00
28400
GUIDE
3D
Flea Tapeworm
.79”-1.18” | 2-3 cm (Diameter)
3.28’-9.84’ | 1-3 m
.44-.88 lb | .2-.4 kg
10-20 years
Giant Gippsland Earthworm
3.000
300.000
0.400
20.00
4100
GUIDE
3D
Giant Gippsland Earthworm
1.57”-1.97” | 4-5 cm (Diameter)
6.56’-9.84’ | 2-3 m
.006-.09 lb | 3-44 g
100-300 years
Giant Tube Worm
5.000
300.000
0.044
300.00
4700
GUIDE
3D
Giant Tube Worm
.12”-.2” | 3-5 mm (Diameter)
7.87”-15.75” | 20-40 cm
Hammerhead Flatworm
0.500
40.000
13100
GUIDE
3D
Hammerhead Flatworm
Lugworm
12900
3.54”-3.94” | 9-10 cm (Diameter)
3.94”-11.81” | 10-30 cm
.002-.003 lb | 1-1.5 g
5-6 years
Lugworm
10.000
30.000
0.002
6.00
12900
GUIDE
3D
Lugworm
.08”-.2” | 2-5 mm (Diameter)
1.57”-2.75” | 4-7 cm
.001-.002 lb | .5-1 g
New Guinea Flatworm
0.500
7.000
0.001
6000
GUIDE
3D
New Guinea Flatworm
Pinworm
124000
.01”-.02” | .3-.6 mm (Diameter)
.2”-.51” | .5-1.3 cm
1-2 months
Pinworm
0.060
1.300
0.17
124000
GUIDE
3D
Pinworm
.24”-.28” | 6-7 mm (Diameter)
6.56’-23’ | 2-7 m
3-5 years
Pork Tapeworm
0.700
700.000
5.00
76800
GUIDE
3D
Pork Tapeworm
.12”-.2” | 3-5 mm (Diameter)
1.18”-5.12” | 3-13 cm
.009-.013 lb | 4-6 g
2-5 years
Redworm
0.500
13.000
0.006
5.00
5900
GUIDE
3D
Redworm
.12”-.14” | 3-3.5 mm (Diameter)
1.18”-1.97” | 3-5 cm
1-3 years
Whipworm
0.350
5.000
3.00
56000
GUIDE
3D
Whipworm
Pork Tapeworm (Taenia solium)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Pork Tapeworm compared to other worms

The Pork Tapeworm (Taenia solium) is a tapeworm that primarily uses humans as its definitive host. Pigs are used as an intermediate or secondary host; it can be transmitted to pigs through human feces contaminating their fodder, and then back to the humans through the consumption of uncooked pork. The Pork Tapeworm has a flat, ribbon-like body that is white. There is a tiny attachment, the scolex, that has contains suckers and a rostellum as a means of attaching to the wall of the small intestine. The main body has a chain of segments called proglottids.

The Pork Tapeworm has an overall length between 6.56’-23’ (2-7 m) and diameter of .24”-.28” (6-7 mm). The typical lifespan of the Pork Tapeworm is between 3-5 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Pork Tapeworm
The Pork Tapeworm (Taenia solium) is a tapeworm that primarily uses humans as its definitive host. Pigs are used as an intermediate or secondary host; it can be transmitted to pigs through human feces contaminating their fodder, and then back to the humans through the consumption of uncooked pork.

The Pork Tapeworm has an overall length between 6.56’-23’ (2-7 m) and diameter of .24”-.28” (6-7 mm). The typical lifespan of the Pork Tapeworm is between 3-5 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Pork Tapeworm
Pork Tapeworm (Taenia solium)
Height:
Width:
.24”-.28” | 6-7 mm (Diameter)
Length:
6.56’-23’ | 2-7 m
Depth:
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Taenia solium
Lifespan
3-5 years

Drawings include:

Pork Tapeworm top view (assorted)

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Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Pinworm to other worms

The Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) is a parasitic worm that causes a common intestinal parasite in humans. The entire life cycle, from egg to adult, of the Pinworm takes place in the human gastrointestinal tract of a single host. They are particularly prevalent in children, and finger sucking has been shown to increase incidence and relapse rates. It spreads from host to host through contamination, so Pinworms are common among people who live in close contact. Their distribution is worldwide, and it is most common in the United States, Western Europe, and Oceania.

The Pinworm has an overall length between .2”-.51” (.5-1.3 cm) and diameter of .01”-.02” (.3-.6 mm). The typical lifespan of the Pinworm is between 1-2 months.

Scaled collection of drawings of Pinworm in various poses
The Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) is a parasitic worm that causes a common intestinal parasite in humans. The entire life cycle, from egg to adult, of the Pinworm takes place in the human gastrointestinal tract of a single host. They are particularly prevalent in children.

The Pinworm has an overall length between .2”-.51” (.5-1.3 cm) and diameter of .01”-.02” (.3-.6 mm). The typical lifespan of the Pinworm is between 1-2 months.

Scaled collection of drawings of Pinworm in various poses
Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)
Height:
Width:
.01”-.02” | .3-.6 mm (Diameter)
Length:
.2”-.51” | .5-1.3 cm
Depth:
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Enterobius vermicularis
Lifespan
1-2 months

Drawings include:

Pinworm top view (assorted)

Details & Downloads

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New Guinea Flatworm (Platydemus manokwari)
Scale illustration of an average New Guinea Flatworm compared to other worm species

The New Guinea Flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) is a predatory land flatworm species. They are native to New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean. While the original habitat was within tropical areas, they have been found in almost all temperate regions of the world. They eat a variety of invertebrates including land snails and land mollusks, and this has had a significant negative impact on the rare endemic land snail of some Pacific Islands. As a result they have been categorized as one of the 100 worst invasive species. Physically they are flat with both ends being pointed; they have a dark brown upper surface with a lighter central line and a pale gray underside.

The New Guinea Flatworm has an overall length between 1.57”-2.75” (4-7 cm), diameter of .08”-.2” (2-5 mm), and weight of .001-.002 lb (.5-1 g).

Series of top view illustrations of the New Guinea Flatworm
The New Guinea Flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) is a predatory land flatworm species. They are native to New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean. While the original habitat was within tropical areas, they have been found in almost all temperate regions of the world. They eat a variety of invertebrates.

The New Guinea Flatworm has an overall length between 1.57”-2.75” (4-7 cm), diameter of .08”-.2” (2-5 mm), and weight of .001-.002 lb (.5-1 g).

Series of top view illustrations of the New Guinea Flatworm
New Guinea Flatworm (Platydemus manokwari)
Height:
Width:
.08”-.2” | 2-5 mm (Diameter)
Length:
1.57”-2.75” | 4-7 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.001-.002 lb | .5-1 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Platydemus manokwari
Lifespan

Drawings include:

New Guinea Flatworm top view (assorted)

Details & Downloads

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2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Whipworm to other worms

The Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichuriasis when it infects a human large intestine. Its name references the shape of the worm which looks like a whip with wider ”handles” at the posterior end. The Whipworm lives in the soil during its egg stage, and once it is ingested by its host, it will develop into the larvae stage. Once in the intestines, it will mature into the adult stage. Physically, it has a narrow anterior esophageal end and a shorter and thick posterior end. They are pinkish-white and threaded through the mucosa where they will attach to the host through the anterior end and feed on tissue secretions.

The Whipworm has an overall length between 1.18”-1.97” (3-5 cm) and diameter of .12”-.14” (3-3.5 mm). The typical lifespan of the Whipworm is between 1-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Whipworm in various poses
The Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichuriasis when it infects a human large intestine. Its name references the shape of the worm which looks like a whip with wider ”handles” at the posterior end. The Whipworm lives in the soil during its egg stage.

The Whipworm has an overall length between 1.18”-1.97” (3-5 cm) and diameter of .12”-.14” (3-3.5 mm). The typical lifespan of the Whipworm is between 1-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Whipworm in various poses
Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura)
Height:
Width:
.12”-.14” | 3-3.5 mm (Diameter)
Length:
1.18”-1.97” | 3-5 cm
Depth:
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Trichuris trichiura
Lifespan
1-3 years

Drawings include:

Whipworm top view (assorted)

Details & Downloads

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Giant Tube Worm (Riftia pachyptila)
Scale illustration of an average Giant Tube Worm compared to other worm species

The Giant Tube Worm (Rifita pachyptia) is a marine invertebrate that lives on the floor of the Pacific Ocean near hydrothermal vents. These organisms can tolerate extremely high hydrogen sulfide levels. As they have no mouth and digestive tract, the Giant Tube Worm depends on bacteria that live inside them for their food. Their bright red plume is a specialized organ that is used to exchange compounds with the sea water. The outer tube is made from chitin, a tough substance that makes the exoskeleton of crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.

The Giant Tube Worm has an overall length between 6.56’-9.84’ (2-3 m), diameter of 1.57”-1.97” (4-5 cm), and weight of .006-.09 lb (3-44 g). The typical lifespan of the Giant Tube Worm is between 100-300 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Giant Tube Worm
The Giant Tube Worm (Rifita pachyptia) is a marine invertebrate that lives on the floor of the Pacific Ocean near hydrothermal vents. These organisms can tolerate extremely high hydrogen sulfide levels. As they have no mouth and digestive tract, the Giant Tube Worm depends on bacteria.

The Giant Tube Worm has an overall length between 6.56’-9.84’ (2-3 m), diameter of 1.57”-1.97” (4-5 cm), and weight of .006-.09 lb (3-44 g). The typical lifespan of the Giant Tube Worm is between 100-300 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Giant Tube Worm
Giant Tube Worm (Riftia pachyptila)
Height:
Width:
1.57”-1.97” | 4-5 cm (Diameter)
Length:
6.56’-9.84’ | 2-3 m
Depth:
Weight:
.006-.09 lb | 3-44 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Riftia pachyptila
Lifespan
100-300 years

Drawings include:

Giant Tube Worm top view (assorted)

Details & Downloads

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2D Downloads

3D Downloads

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