Segmented worms live in marine habitats such as the intertidal zone and near hydrothermal vents. Segmented worms also inhabit freshwater aquatic habitats as well as moist terrestrial habitats such as forest floors.

annuli

Segmented Worms: Phylum Annelida. Earthworms (class Oligochaeta) are familiar terrestrial members of this phylum and leeches (class Hirudinea) are well-known parasitic members of the phylum, most commonly found in freshwater.

Characteristics: Soft body divided into sections called segments with most segments being nearly identical internally and externally. Body wall has both longitudinal and circular muscles, allowing movement in more than one direction.

Segmented worms move through their burrow by using their well-developed muscles. The worm’s stiff bristles stick out from each of the worm segments. In order to crawl forward, the worm sticks it’s bristles in the ground and pulls itself along. Segmented worms have a closed circulatory system, like humans.

Segmented worms (phylum Annelida ) are so named because of their elongated, more or less cylindrical bodies divided by grooves into a series of ring like segments. Typically, the external grooves correspond to internal partitions called septa, which divide the internal body space into a series of compartments.

Earthworms’ bodies are made up of ring-like segments called annuli. These segments are covered in setae, or small bristles, which the worm uses to move and burrow. Night crawlers are so named because they are usually seen feeding above ground at night.

Digging Method They are often found near bodies of water in the mud. Another good place to try is underneath anything that is damp or moist such as logs, rocks and rotten stuff! Worms are sensitive to vibration so the sneakier you are, the more you’ll gather.