Why Do Worms Come Out on the Sidewalk When It Rains?

I know - crazy post heading, but that's what was on my mind this morning.

This morning, it is raining and while I was walking into work, I noticed all of the worms on the sidewalk.  Of course, this is not the first time I have ever seen them on the sidewalk on a rainy day, I just haven't really wondered about it before.  Hence the heading.  So why do they?  Don't they realize they are just going to get stepped on and killed (or split in half)?

From ehow.com

Why Do Earthworms Come Out When it Rains?

By Katelyn Kelley, eHow Contributor

 

Earthworms tend to surface in large numbers during heavy rains for several reasons, not simply because the oxygen levels in the soil changes. Earthworms need to remain moist to survive and consider rain a good thing.

1. Earthworm Lungs

   • Earthworms do not have lungs like humans. Instead, the surface of their skin, known as a cuticle, absorbs oxygen through a process called diffusion.

   More Oxygen in Air

   • The earthworm's cuticle must remain moist to absorb oxygen. When they are in soil, they receive oxygen from air trapped underground. Rain-soaked dirt, however, fills that air space with water, and although earthworms can absorb oxygen from the water, air contains more oxygen, so they will surface for more efficient breathing.

   Favorable Moist Conditions

   • Earthworms must remain moist to breathe and need moisture to move around. After a rain, the conditions above the ground are extremely favorable to them, so they surface to move around without fear of drying out.

   Rain Mimics Evening Conditions

   • Worms come out at night when the air is moist and there is no hot sun to dry their skin. When it rains during the day, the conditions above ground resemble the cool, damp conditions at night, so worms will surface without waiting for nightfall.

   Mating Habits

   • Earthworms have a higher chance of bumping into another worm when they are on the surface after a heavy rain and can travel greater distances. Some species of earthworms seem to prefer mating in moist conditions on the surface because they have more room to maneuver.

 I'm sure I learned all of this in 10th grade biology, but that was a long time ago.....