Country: Country Matters: Nature Notes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.EARTHWORMS FORM the most important item in a badger's diet. They are made vulnerable by their habit of coming to the surface whenever the weather is warm, and lying out during the hours of darkness.
They cannot see or hear, but they are sensitive to light and vibration and usually keep one end anchored in a tunnel so that they can beat a quick retreat if they sense danger. (It is the four pairs of chaetae, or bristles, on each segment that enable the creatures to move by bodily contractions.) But badgers hunt so stealthily that they often take them by surprise, scoffing several within a minute, and one animal may put away 200 worms during a single night. Moles also depend largely on earthworms for sustenance, and many birds eat them with relish.
Fortunately worms exist in immense quantities: it is estimated that an acre of good pasture contains from 100,000 to 3 million. They take a year to mature, and live up to 10 years.
They eat decaying organisms, but also take in soil and tiny pebbles. Their tunnelling and feeding aerate and drain the soil, and worms also improve its structure by drawing organic material into their burrows.
Duff Hart-Davis
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments