Timmersomething's Trivia Blog: Worms

TODAY'S MYSTERY QUOTE

QUOTE: "Earthworms are the intenstines of the soil."

HINT: (384 BC – 322 BC) Greek philosopher, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. Read to the bottom to find the answer.

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RANDOM TIDBITS

Worms eat organic matter, digest it, and excrete the digested material (this is known as casting). These castings are rich with phosphorus, calcium, and potassium and much more valuable for their nutrients than commercial topsoil.

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There are more than 4,400 different types of worms in existence today. Of the 4,400 species, there are 2,700 species of earthworm. There are more than 1,200 species of another type of worm called the inchworm.

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Because worms don't have lungs, they require a moist environment to allow them to breathe in oxygen through their skin. However, too much moisture can be deadly as the water will take the place of oxygen and cause worms to flee to the surface. If the sun glares on them for too long, they can become paralyzed.

Worms feed off of leaves and dead grass, which contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Some also eat plants, fruits and vegetables.

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The earthworm's mouth, called the prostomium, creates a suction motion that allows the worm to consume large amounts of food in a short amount of time. Worms also have a pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard and intestine.

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Earthworms belong to one of several different types of ecological groups. There are three broad ecological groups that have been identified for earthworms including epigeic, endogeic, and anecic. The groups are based on what the earthworms eat and where they tend to live in the soil.

QUOTE: "Earthworms are the intenstines of the soil."

ANSWER: Aristotle.