On the surface, the earthworm moves by crawling. In doing so, it first extends the front end of its body and clings to unevenness in the soil with bristles located on the abdominal side, and then, by contracting its muscles, pulls up the rear end of its body.
How do small bristleworms move?
Small-bodied worms differ from polychaetes in the absence of parapodia. They move as usual, contracting alternately layers of annular and longitudinal muscles. Representatives of this class are hermaphrodites, characterized by direct development.
What helps earthworms move underground?
When moving, earthworms cling to soil particles with small, thin bristles. They have several bundles of such bristles on each segment. The earthworm uses them like a rower uses oars: it dips the bristles into the ground, pushes its body forward, and then pulls the bristles in.
How does an earthworm breathe?
Earthworms do not have special respiratory organs: they breathe with the entire surface of their bodies.