Why Do Worms Come Out After Rain?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do worms come out after rain?

The Big Idea

Wet ground fills the worm's tunnels with water. Worms breathe through damp skin, and coming up is often easier than staying in a flooded tube. Rain is also a good time to travel! They may not come out because they hate the rain, but because the air in the soil runs short.

Dry Tunnel

Step one: a dry tunnel. Before the rain, air sits in the worm's burrow. The worm breathes easily through its skin.

Rain Soaks In

Step two: rain soaks in. Water fills the spaces in the soil, and the tunnel gets crowded with water. The air drops, and staying underground gets harder. Rain can also help worms move to new places.

The Worm Climbs

Step three: the worm climbs. The worm heads for the surface, and travels over the wet ground. That is why people see worms on the sidewalk after a storm.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a worm tunnel! The worm is the tunnel builder. Damp skin does the breathing job. The tunnel is the worm's home. Rainwater seeps in and fills the gaps. The soil is the ground around it all. Worms are important helpers, because they keep the soil healthy.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A worm does not have lungs like you. Damp skin does the breathing job. Hot, dry sidewalks can harm a stranded worm. Garden worms mix and feed the soil as they travel. Safety first: if you move a worm off a sidewalk, set it on cool dirt, not in the street.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! After a rain, count worms on a safe path with a grown-up. Do not take them home in a dry box. Were more out on wet pavement than on dry days? What changed in the soil?

Outro

Now you know! Worms come up in the rain to breathe and travel. Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!