earthworm
Segmented garden dweller
An earthworm is a long, segmented worm that burrows through soil, aerating it and breaking down organic matter.
Earthworms are familiar to gardeners and children alike—pinkish-brown, soft-bodied, emerging after rain.
They lack eyes and limbs but can regenerate lost segments.
We dug up earthworms for fishing bait.
Big worm, or nocturnal person
- fishingCatching aquatic creatures
- hookCurved catching device
- anglerOne who casts lines
- tackleGear or takedown
live bait · freshwater · fisherman · cast · line · bobber · sinker · bottom fishing
Segmented worm phylum member
- nematodeThreadlike parasitic worm
- leechBlood-feeding aquatic worm
- flatwormCompressed soft-bodied invertebrate
- roundwormParasitic cylindrical worm
polychaete · planarian · clitellum · setae · hermaphrodite · invertebrate
Decayed organic soil matter
- loamFertile soil mixture
- topsoilNutrient-rich surface earth
- dirtLoose dry earth
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
silt · garden soil · soil structure · soil health · wormcast · organic matter · soil fertility · aeration
Worm-digested organic material
- castingsShaped molten material
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- kitchen scrapsDiscarded cooking byproducts
- compost pileDecomposing organic material collection
Eats dead organic material
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- organic matterMaterial from living sources
breakdown · leaf litter · carbon cycle · nitrogen cycle · saprophyte · biodegradation
Digging underground passages
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- diggingRemoving earth below
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
Interconnected predator-prey relationships
- robinSmall orange-breasted thrush
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
- soil ecosystemLiving organisms in dirt
- plant growthIncrease in botanical size
nightcrawler
Big worm, or nocturnal person
tackle · live bait · freshwater · fisherman · cast · line · bobber · sinker · bottom fishing · panfish
annelid
Segmented worm phylum member
- nematodeThreadlike parasitic worm
- leechBlood-feeding aquatic worm
- flatwormCompressed soft-bodied invertebrate
roundworm · polychaete · planarian · clitellum · setae · hermaphrodite · invertebrate
humus
Decayed organic soil matter
clay · silt · garden soil · soil structure · soil health · wormcast · organic matter · soil fertility · aeration · drainage
vermicompost
Worm-digested organic material
- castingsShaped molten material
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- kitchen scrapsDiscarded cooking byproducts
compost pile · organic waste · vermiculture · black gold · cocoon
detritivore
Eats dead organic material
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
organic matter · breakdown · leaf litter · carbon cycle · nitrogen cycle · saprophyte · biodegradation
tunneling
Digging underground passages
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- diggingRemoving earth below
burrowing · aeration · galleries · burrow · casting · mole · gopher
food web
Interconnected predator-prey relationships
- robinSmall orange-breasted thrush
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
- soil ecosystemLiving organisms in dirt
- garden bugsant, aphid, bee, beetle, butterfly
- wormsnightcrawler, roundworms, flatworms, tapeworms, hookworms
- diggersexcavator, backhoe, shovel, spade, pickaxe
- elongated creatureseel, snake, serpent, nematode, roundworm
- helpful bugsladybug, ladybird, honeybee, bumblebee, praying mantis
- regenerating animalsstarfish, sea star, axolotl, salamander, lizard