Wild Wednesday: Giant Palouse Earthworm

The elusive Palouse earthworm was legendary across the Great Plains of the United States. Since the first reports in 1800s rumors about the worm proliferated, even as the population made a dramatic decline.

People said that it spit in self defense. They said it smelled like lilies when handled. They said it grew to be over three feet long. They said it was extinct. But a discovery of the Giant Palouse Earthworm dispelled all of these myths—and has helped researchers and conservationists gain basic knowledge about the species that may be essential for its survival.

It is believed that the agricultural development destroyed the worm's native habitat and is responsible for the worm's decline.In fact, until a dead specimen was found in 2005, the Palouse earthworm was widely believed to be extinct. Though only five specimens were discovered in more than 30 years

Read more about the earthworm.