Digging for worms - Page 2

Tin Monkey · 28-12-2007, 19:02

I've seen seagulls outside work do that 'rain dance' thing. It's quite amusing to see it.

LancYorkYankee · 28-12-2007, 21:55

I'm pretty sure that at least Robins get their worms by hearing/feeling/seeing the worms vibrating movement. It's neat to watch them cocking their heads and then diving into the ground. They then invariably come up with a nice juicy one.

Brian

entwisi · 28-12-2007, 22:06

at school we did an experiment to count the number of worms that came to the surface

On 1m square we put soapy water, on another we 'tapped' the ground on another we watered it from high like rain and another we used as a control.

The soapy one won, alearly the way they wriggled showed they were irritated by teh soap.

'Rain' came next then 'us simulating rain'

control was next to zero.

so without the ability to put soapy water down or make it rain they are doing teh best they can!!!

garinda · 28-12-2007, 22:53

Perhaps because of the Parkinson's Disease, and the resultant shake, I should hire myself out as a worm charmer.

shillelagh · 28-12-2007, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

at school we did an experiment to count the number of worms that came to the surface

You can remember that far back entwisi?

entwisi · 28-12-2007, 23:02

Yep, good memory is the reason I got through school. I did Zero revision, I relied on memory and luckily I have a sort of photographic memory in that I can rememebr detail that interests me. Same today, I remember stuff I like, forget stuff I don't!

katex · 28-12-2007, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

are hemaphrodites - ie can reproduce either with or without another worm's help

So glad I 'aint a worm .. no fun in that ..

"Perhaps because of the Parkinson's Disease, and the resultant shake, I should hire myself out as a worm charmer" .. quoteth Garinda

Nah, better things to do with that shake honey ..

Hey, Entwisi .. will try that experiment in the morning (not too early though for this bird !) ... probably finish up with a frothy lawn though .. LOL.

blazey · 29-12-2007, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

define:hermaphrodite - Google Search
define:asexual - Google Search

Worms are hemaphrodites - ie can reproduce either with or without another worm's help

I just wondered because of human hermaphrodites, didn't think they could produce babies alone..

MargaretR · 29-12-2007, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

I just wondered because of human hermaphrodites, didn't think they could produce babies alone..

Human hermaphroditism is a fault of embryonic development---- worms have evolved that way-----that's the difference

derekgas · 29-12-2007, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by panther

why soapy water?

It irritates thier skin, they come up more quickly.

blazey · 29-12-2007, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Human hermaphroditism is a fault of embryonic development---- worms have evolved that way-----that's the difference

Ah well I'm not an animal biologist, I just didn't think hermaphrodite was the most suitable term for a worm, I would've chosen asexual. Guess it doesn't really matter, i dont plan on breeding worms.

MargaretR · 29-12-2007, 19:12

Asexual means having no sex organs whatsover - an amoeba is asexual -reproduction by cell division
I have only GCE O level biology-- but haven't forgotten what I was taught

blazey · 29-12-2007, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Asexual means having no sex organs whatsover - an amoeba is asexual -reproduction by cell division
I have only GCE O level biology-- but haven't forgotten what I was taught

I didn't get taught about that in biology. It was my least favourite subject at school though and I barely went, same for chemistry. I liked Physics though

wish I had carried that on at college.