• Question: which side of a worm is the head and which side is the tail?

    Asked by daisymarie2k11 to Damien, Suzi, Tim on 23 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @daisymarie2k11
      Good question – it’s a shame Rachael has gone as she works with worms!
      Worms are different at either end – you can tell because they have a band around them close to the ‘front end’. But you’re right, it’s hard to tell.

      Apparently the best way to tell is tickle the middle, and see which end laughs 😉

      Hope this (the first bit, not the silly joke) helps!

    • Photo: Tim Fosker

      Tim Fosker answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @daisymarie2k11

      Great answer from Suzi! Really made me laugh 😀
      There is a great picture of an earthworm outline on the ‘Nematode-Plant Expert Information System’ at UC Davis, showing the clittelum (the band close to the front end of the worm) that Suzi describes.

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