Are There Really Giant Earthworms?

Yes. There are earthworms bigger than many snakes! Pre-Columbian (before Columbus) artists depicted these giant worms on pottery, and a search for them was started in 1956. They were finally located in the páramo (high cold region) in southwestern Colombia near the city of Popayán. Some were up to five feet long, and over two inches in diameter! Appearing black, they are actually deep blue and green when seen in bright light.

These huge worms are found only in the high mountains at elevations of 13,000 to 14,000 feet. This locates them above the hardwood forests, but below the snow line at that latitude. For comparison, the famous Matterhorn mountain between Switzerland and Italy is 14,685 feet high.

Burrowing just below the surface, these giant worms are often found along paths. But that does not mean they are easy to pick up! Just as a robin braces to pull a common earthworm from the ground, so we can imagine a man trying to pull one out. He had better not pull too hard or the large-segmented worm will come apart! Over half of the worm must be dug from the ground before it can be removed intact.