Kingdom: Animal 

 

Phylum: Annelid

 

Genus: Lumbricus

 

Energy: Earthworms live mostly in the ground where they swallow dirt through their mouth, the organic material is then separated and broken down in the gizzard.  The remains are then deposited in the form of castings.  The organic material is their main food from which they obtain energy from.  Once food is taken in from the mouth is passed through their gizzard which grinds the soild before it travels through the intestine.  The nephridia then extracts nutrients from the soil that was eaten.

 

The earthworm has a unique and interesting way of obtaining carbon dioxide for energy.  Instead of getting this gas through their mouths it is absorbed through their body.  They actually exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide through their moist skin.  The circulatory system then pumps the blood through the worms system when the muscular blood vessels contract.

 

Reproduction: Earthworms contain both male and female organs and cross fertilize since they can produce both eggs and sperm.  The cycle begins when the worms exchange sperm, which are then enclosed which some eggs in a band of tissue to allow fertilization.  Once fertilization occurs the band of tissue is then left underground where the baby worms will then hatch in 2 to 3 weeks.