# What Do Earthworms Eat?

> What earthworms eat: Detritivore (decaying plant matter, soil organics), foraging style, and seasonal shifts in Moist soils worldwide.

- **Species:** Earthworm (*Lumbricina*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Detritivore (decaying plant matter, soil organics)
- **Habitat:** Moist soils worldwide
- **Lifespan:** 1–6 years (varies by species)
- **Top speed:** Very slow; burrows through soil
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/earthworm/what-do-earthworm-eat/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/earthworm/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

Earthworms are segmented worms that burrow through soil, eating organic matter and recycling nutrients as they go. They breathe through their moist skin, have no eyes or lungs, and are hermaphrodites. By aerating and mixing soil and producing nutrient-rich castings, they are among the most important animals for healthy ground and farming.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a captive feeding plan from a veterinarian. This page is wild diet, not a pet-care sheet.

## Body and breathing

An earthworm's body is divided into many ring-like segments, most carrying tiny bristles called setae that grip the soil as it moves. It has no eyes, ears, or lungs, and breathes by absorbing oxygen directly through its moist skin. This is why earthworms must stay damp and often come to the surface after heavy rain.

## Help protect the Earthworm

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/earthworm/what-do-earthworm-eat/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.