The world of earthworms is a fascinating one, and South Australia might just be home to a secret society of giants. While officially, giant earthworms are not recognized in the state, ecologist Kristen Messenger has spent 30 years collecting anecdotal evidence of these elusive creatures. These worms, reportedly measuring more than a meter long and as thick as a garden hose, have been spotted across the state, with reports coming from the Mid North, Adelaide Hills, Southern Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Murray region, Eyre Peninsula, Barossa, and Fleurieu Peninsula. What makes this particularly intriguing is the potential for these worms to be new species. Geoff Dyne, a CSIRO visiting scientist and environmental consultant, identified a new species of giant earthworm in Broken Hill in 2021. He suggests that the large worms found in South Australia are almost certainly new species, given the arid regions where they were discovered. The existence of these giant worms raises a deeper question: how can something so big and obvious go undiscovered for so long? The answer lies in the worms' elusive nature and the semi-arid environment of South Australia. These worms, like other recognized giant worm species, only come to the surface at night and spend their days in permanent burrows up to three meters below the soil. Recent heavy rains could lead to daytime sightings, but Messenger has a gut feeling that there are likely tonnes of giant worms in Australia that we've just never noticed. What makes this even more fascinating is the potential impact of land clearing on these worms. As Dyne points out, we've probably lost a lot of earthworm species due to land clearing, and we may never know about it. This raises a deeper question about the value of these creatures and the importance of preserving them. Personally, I think the existence of giant earthworms in South Australia is a fascinating reminder of the hidden wonders of nature. It's a call to action for us to explore and protect these creatures, and to appreciate the intrinsic value of the natural world. In my opinion, the secret society of earthworms is a testament to the power of nature to surprise and delight us. It's a reminder that there's always more to discover and explore, and that the natural world is full of wonders waiting to be uncovered.
