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Save the Palouse Earthworm?

Posted 31 months ago|8 comments|817 views
VIDEOS
Written by
Chris D
Seattle, WA
When you think of endangered species, I'll bet you picture polar bear cubs and blue whales. But some folks in Idaho want you to think of the Palouse earthworm.

The Palouse earthworm is a 3-foot, white worm that can spit at predators and apparently smells like a lily flower. According to an AP story, it’s only been spotted four times in the past 110 years. (During worm roundups?)

It’s a disgusting little creature, to be sure, but it’s got a posse. Several groups have filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking that the Palouse earthworm be added to the federal endangered species list.

A few years ago, the Bush administration rejected a similar request, but the groups hope that the Obama administration will be more sympathetic to the worm’s plight.

I, for one, say the Palouse earthworm has no place in our United States. Good riddance!

(The video to the left is not the Palouse earthworm, but the Giant Gipsland Earthworm. Warning: VERY DISGUSTING.)


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COMMENTS
31 months ago: They have been seen only 4 times in the last 110 years?
Once every 27.5 years on average? When was the last on spotted? That way we can calculated the next sighting. What if they have a 27.5 year life span and run a half life maturity cycle? Even though your youtube is not Palouse related. If that guy was so impressed by a giant earthworm. Why did he dig it up and cause its death? Oh yeah, I forgot, he is an environmentalist trying to save the worm. What if there are only a few breeding worms and he just killed one of them.
indeedso
indeedso
Champaign, IL
31 months ago: Dude, he didn't kill it. He specifically said he wasn't going to stretch it out because that WOULD kill it. David Attenborough is a friend to the animals!

Also, he's not "an environmentalist trying to save the worm." He's basically the father of the nature documentary, and while he certainly preaches conservation, his role is more to raise awareness of the multiplicity of life on Earth.

31 months ago: Lots of things and lots of creatures are disgusting to humans, that's still not enough reason to cause their demise.
31 months ago: Chris:

Polar bear cubs endangered?
I'm going to go out and squish 2 bugs.
31 months ago: OK. I stand corrected. I do have to ask this little question.

You live in a deep underground environment. You cannot survive above ground and hate sunlight. Imagine that is where you all all of your kids live.

Suddenly a big spade (shovel) comes and digs you up and you are now out of your environment. Do you think you might have a problem? Is there a worm transition drug? How many of your family was cut in half by that spade? Will the possible loss of your family by an envading spade cause you any more distress?

How many earthworm do you know that have been pulled from their environment under these conditions and survived?

He just caused a decrease in the multiplicity of life on Earth.

RSG, Call this guy and order some three foot earthworms.
That way you can make a bigger stain. Besides you won't need to feel guilty. They are already dead. They just don't know it. It would actually be a mercy killing.
31 months ago: Just noticed! The Sun is out! I think I'll grab a maggnifying glass and go find some ants on my driveway. I'm sure they would love their new environment.
xenubarb
xenubarb
San Diego, CA
31 months ago: Think of the bass you could catch with a 3 ft. worm that smells like flowers...
31 months ago: Amen Xenubarb.
A big dang bass at that.

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