Giant Earthworm

This worm can reach 3 feet in length, is white in color and reportedly possesses a unique lily smell.Environmental groups are asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the worm as an endangered species.They live in the subsoil of blue, grey or red clay soils along stream banks and some south or west facing hills of their remaining habitat.These worms live in deep burrow systems and require water in their environment to respirate. These worms rarely leave their moist burrows. They have relatively long lifespans for invertebrates and can take 5 years to reach maturity. They breed in the warmer months and produce large egg cocoons which are laid in their burrows. When these worms hatch in 12 months they are already 20 cm long.

They can sometimes be heard in their habitat making gurgling sounds as they move underground.