Worms typically start their life cycle from an egg, encased within a protective cocoon.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
-
The Egg and Cocoon: The earthworm life cycle begins with an egg. This egg isn't laid bare; instead, it's enclosed in a protective casing called a cocoon. This cocoon is typically lemon-shaped and small, often only a few millimeters in size.
-
Development Inside the Cocoon: Inside the cocoon, a young earthworm develops. The environment inside provides the necessary conditions for the worm to grow until it's ready to hatch.
-
Hatching: Once the young worm is sufficiently developed, it hatches from the cocoon. These newly hatched worms are tiny versions of their adult counterparts, and they begin feeding and growing in the surrounding soil.
-
Maturity and Reproduction: As the worm grows, it eventually reaches sexual maturity. At this point, it can reproduce, creating new cocoons and continuing the life cycle. Earthworms are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both male and female reproductive organs. However, they typically require another worm to reproduce.
In summary, worms start as eggs inside a protective cocoon, develop within it, hatch as miniature versions of adult worms, and grow to maturity to continue the cycle.
