1) Earthworms are hermaphrodites, which means that the have both male and female reproductive organs. When two worms find a mate, they cover themselves in mucus and rub together to pass sperm into each other's body.
2) After mating, the earthworm's clitella creates a mucus ring that slides over the worm's body and takes eggs from one segment of the worm and sperm from another segment so that fertilization can occur.
3) As the earthworm crawls forward, the ring slips of and is deposited underground. It closes and hardens into a cocoon.
4) 3 weeks to 5 months later, the eggs within the cocoon hatch and small worms burrow. They grow their reproductive organs and become adults at the age of one.
2) After mating, the earthworm's clitella creates a mucus ring that slides over the worm's body and takes eggs from one segment of the worm and sperm from another segment so that fertilization can occur.
3) As the earthworm crawls forward, the ring slips of and is deposited underground. It closes and hardens into a cocoon.
4) 3 weeks to 5 months later, the eggs within the cocoon hatch and small worms burrow. They grow their reproductive organs and become adults at the age of one.