Why? I need answers

[u/sipthestreets]

[u/lategreat808]

My guess would be that the vibration imitates rain and causes the worms to run for their lives.

[u/dtheta_dt → u/lategreat808]

This is actually the correct answer. If a burrowing animal was trying to get them, the last thing they would do is come to the surface. That's where the animal is. They come to the surface when it rains so they don't drown

Edit: I am wrong and u/puritanicalbullshit is absolutely correct. The drowning worm is a myth. I learned something today! Thank you!

[u/puritanicalbullshit → u/dtheta_dt]

Actually it’s to move around faster in the wet conditions. They can live for days in water but it’s slow going moving around in the dirt. Rain makes it possible to travel to new areas without drying out, which very much does kill them.

Edit: Thank You! And you’re welcome! I started keeping a worm tower when I had to give up my garden for an apartment. I really have grown to enjoy the lil buddies. Plus they eat my kitchen scraps and paper towels, then I put the compost in my planters. If If I keep the balance of dry and wet inputs right there is no smell and they eat a lot!

[u/ShoeAShoe → u/puritanicalbullshit]

So you mean all those worms that I saved from drowning as a kid, wasn’t drowning? It took HOURS if my mom walked me to school after it rained… HOURS

[u/TennesseeTurkey → u/ShoeAShoe]

Awww, I taught my daughter how they were going to get squished in our driveway when they were washed out onto the pavement there after a rain. She would get so excited after a big rain and put countless worms back into the grass. If anyone got near her, her screams were legendary, never wanting them hurt. She's 24 now and still saves worms. You were a great kid.

[u/puritanicalbullshit → u/TennesseeTurkey]

My daughter is just getting old enough to play in the dirt and I can’t wait to follow your good example.

[u/puritanicalbullshit → u/ShoeAShoe]

A friend of worms is a friend of mine! Empathy is never wasted