Why?

[fishpond]

When I go into the garden, I get covered in mud.
But any worm that I pick up, and there's a few to choose from, look like they have just got out the bath after having a good scrub and a soak, as they are so clean, but they live in the mud and dirt.
Why are they so clean?

[veggiechicken]

Because they eat earth/mud. They're very muddy on the inside but squeaky clean on the outside.
You wouldn't expect them to be muddy in and out would you? That would be cruel

[seasprout]

Worms are regularly dipped in anti soil repellant.

It happens most Tuesdays, except in Wales, when it's a Thursday.

[Penellype]

Worms breathe through their skin, and in order to do this the skin has to be kept moist. The whole of the outside of the worm is covered in a thin layer of wet mucus (as are our lungs), which has the side effect of keeping the worm clean.

[Jay22]

Penellype, our very own weather girl and now our very own Attenborough!

[Penellype]

Penellype, our very own weather girl and now our very own Attenborough!

I just enjoy learning about scientific stuff .

[Jay22]

Keep it up Penellype, we are learning with you!

[Lumpy]

And.........why are they known (at least in my reality) as wiggley worms?

If you pick one up they don't wiggle they writhe....

[happyhumph]

Because it sounds better in the song "there's a worm at the bottom of my garden, and his name is wiggly woo " also, writhe is very hard for young children to say - wiggly is easier & more fun!

[Penellype]

Some fascinating stuff about worms here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthworm - they are really very complex animals. The wriggling/writhing appears to be a reflex action to being touched.

I like worms, but I'm glad I don't have any that are 3m long in my garden!

[fishpond]

And.........why are they known (at least in my reality) as wiggley worms?

If you pick one up they don't wiggle they writhe....

Are they male or female worms?

[Penellype]

Are they male or female worms?

Both - worms are hermaphrodite.

[fishpond]

Worms breathe through their skin, and in order to do this the skin has to be kept moist. The whole of the outside of the worm is covered in a thin layer of wet mucus (as are our lungs), which has the side effect of keeping the worm clean.

How do they breathe through their skin, if it is moist, also coated with a thin layer of mucas?
is the mucas porous?

[veggiechicken]

Its like when you have a cold, they keep a jar of Vick handy to clear congestion

[rary]

Both - worms are hermaphrodite.

I wonder if they argue with themselves