{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "earthworm",
  "name": "Earthworm",
  "scientificName": "Lumbricina",
  "category": "Invertebrate",
  "summary": "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.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Annelida",
    "class": "Clitellata",
    "order": "Opisthopora",
    "family": "Lumbricidae",
    "genus": "Lumbricus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.005,
    "lengthM": 0.15,
    "topSpeedKmh": 0.03,
    "lifespanYears": 6
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Lumbricina (suborder)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Detritivore (decaying plant matter, soil organics)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Moist soils worldwide"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "1–6 years (varies by species)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Size",
      "value": "Commonly 5–30 cm (2–12 in) long"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Very slow; burrows through soil"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN, most species)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Moist soils across every continent except Antarctica, with many species spread worldwide.",
    "continents": [
      "Europe",
      "Asia",
      "North America",
      "South America",
      "Africa",
      "Oceania"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Lumbricina.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Lumbricina&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Earthworm.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthworm"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/earthworm/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/earthworm/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}