Worms and earthworms are tiny animals that live in the ground and need moisture. Thus, you may wonder how they would do in different environments. Let’s say their place gets flooded, and they get submerged in water. Will worms survive in such, or will they drown?
So, you may ask: can worms and earthworms drown? Worms and earthworms can’t drown as we do. In fact, they can even survive several days underwater. Since they use their skin for breathing, they can stay in the water as long as there is oxygen in it. Moreover, water keeps them moist, allowing them to breathe.
Worms and earthworms breathe or take in air in a different way than we do. For this reason, they can’t drown like us should they get submerged in water.
If you’re curious to know more about worms and earthworms and how they deal in water, read on. This article will answer the questions related to worms and how they can survive in water.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Contents
Can worms and earthworms breathe underwater?
Worms and earthworms can breathe underwater, and it’s because they breathe through their skin, unlike us.
For this reason, worms and earthworms breathe by taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide through the skin. Thus, even if the soil becomes saturated or submerged, the worm can still survive.
As long as there’s enough oxygen that passes through their skin, the worm won’t die even in a prolonged period underwater. It’s also why a rain shower or flood won’t cause worms to die.
Now, if they get submerged in water, can worms and earthworms swim their way out?
Related: Do Worms and Earthworms Feel Pain?
Can worms and earthworms swim?
Worms and earthworms cannot swim. While they can survive underwater, they can’t swim their way out of it.
Worms can survive underwater for several weeks. However, it only goes as long as the water has enough oxygen to offer for the worms. They have a moist coat of mucus-like substance that allows them to breathe.
Since the water helps maintain the mucus, they can breathe easily as long as they have oxygen access.
For this reason, they can stay submerged in water for several weeks without drowning.
As long as there’s enough oxygen that passes through their skin, the worm won’t die even in a prolonged period underwater. It’s also why a rain shower or flood won’t cause worms to die.
If worms and earthworms run out of oxygen and can’t swim their way out of it, they can die.
For this reason, it’s always best to be cautious, significantly if you’re raising worms and their place gets flooded.
How long does it take a worm to drown?
As I said earlier, worms can take several weeks in water. In general, earthworms and worms can’t drown like us since they have no lungs.
Unlike us, worms don’t have the lungs where the air would pass before being distributed in the blood. Instead, they take in the air directly through the skin and into their blood.
Worms and earthworms breathe by taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide through the skin. Thus, even if the soil becomes saturated or submerged, the worm can still survive.
Moreover, they have a moist coat of mucus-like substance that allows them to breathe.
Since the water helps maintain the mucus, they can breathe easily as long as they have oxygen access.
For this reason, they can stay submerged in water for several weeks without drowning.
Still, it’s important to note that worms can’t swim. Thus, they won’t be able to get out of the water unless the water dries out.
Related: Can Worms and Earthworms Die?
Can red worms drown?
Red worms, also known as red wigglers, are not fast-moving. Further, like other worms and earthworms, they can’t swim as well.
Red wigglers are particular species of earthworms. Thus, they also use their skin for breathing by keeping it moist.
Like other worms and earthworms, red wigglers breathe by taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide through the skin. Thus, even if the soil becomes saturated or submerged, the worm can still survive.
While they can survive in water for a prolonged period, they can still drown if they don’t get out soon.
Like other compost worms, red wigglers can’t survive underwater. Since they can’t swim, their best bet is for the water to subside.
If these red wigglers don’t get out of the water and stay there for several weeks, they can die.
Summary
Worms and earthworms can’t drown as we do. Since worms don’t use a pair of lungs, they breathe directly through their skin with the help of a mucus-like coat. Since water keeps the moisture intact, worms can live in the water, but only as far as it has enough oxygen.
In general, worms can even survive several days underwater. Since they use their skin for breathing, they can stay in the water as long as there is oxygen in it. Moreover, water keeps them moist, allowing them to breathe.
Still, it would be best to remember that these animals can’t swim. Thus, they can’t get out of the water if they get into it. If they ran out of oxygen, they could die.
Resources
Image credits – Canva
