Our class is learning about each of these animals and will

study both in our mini aquarium/terrarium habitats.

The students spent time making observations of the anatomy of their garden worms! The students could even

see the dirt that was inside the worm which is used to help break down their food!

MouthClitellum

Segments

Anatomy of a garden worm

Setae: Are hairs attached to each segment of a worm

Worms eat rotting vegetables, plants, leaves, and grass.

Worms also eat dead animals and bugs.

Because worms eat materials that are no longer living, they are considered decomposers.

Most worms live underground Sometimes they live in burrows They also live under logs, rocks, and

dead leaves

Worms breathe through their skin They come out at night when it is

cool and wet They avoid hot and sunny conditions

as it dries out their skin They swallow soil with their food to

help break down their food Earthworms are constantly digging

tunnels in the soil

Earthworms regenerate their tails or heads if they lose them

The anatomy of a common pond snail

Antenna

Foot

Shell

Eyes are at the end of the antennas

Mouth

Snails eat living plants, rotting plants, and water plants, most are herbivores.

Some eat small animals, these are carnivores which eat meat.

Snails eat dead plants and animals which makes them decomposers.

Snails live everywhere in the world. (land, freshwater, and saltwater)

Land snails live in wet cool places. Freshwater snails live in ponds,

marshes, lakes, and rivers.

A snail moves on its stomach which makes it a gastropod!

Snails use their tentacles to feel objects around them

Snails use their radula (long flat tongue with tiny, sharp teeth) to loosen their food so they can eat it

Snails lay their eggs in jelly. They stick their eggs on plants or stones.

Many North American snails hibernate during the winter

A snail does not outgrow its shell. Its shell grows larger as its body grows.

A snail has an operculum which is a plate that can open and shut to protect the snail from predation and from the weather

Many snails have camouflaged shells to help hide them from predators.