They also aren’t pale, but are reddish-brown in color, like most other earthworms. Collected specimens so far have not exceeded 8 inches long and have not been shown to produce lily-smelling saliva. The scientists discovered that many things they’d learned about giant palouse earthworms were not correct. It was feared to have gone extinct in the 1980s.Īll of this changed on March 27, 2010, when scientists at the University of Idaho, including biologist Samuel James, discovered living specimens: an adult and a juvenile! The species was still alive! These two specimens were brought to the university for safekeeping. Despite their supposed prominence in the Palouse region (hence their name) there had been only four sightings of this worm since 1897. They could spit lily-scented saliva to defend themselves from attackers. According to reports, these pale-colored earthworms could grow over 3 feet long and were native to prairies, shrubsteppe, and open forest habitats. Nevertheless, this is a critter deserving of our attention: the giant palouse earthworm.Īlso known as the Washington giant earthworm (Driloleirus americanus), this creature was only discovered as late as 1897, just over a century ago. In fact, it’s only a “monster” when compared to the size of its smaller, more common cousins. But don’t worry! This one’s not a big, scary monster. In fact, there’s one reported to be living right here in Idaho and eastern Washington. When we think of elusive creatures - should they exist ― that have been difficult for science to verify, the El Chupacabra, Champ, and (thinking local here) Sasquatch, usually come to mind.
0 kommentar(er)
