Comments
OccludedFug OP t1_iqyij28 wrote
I guess I learned it years and years ago, but I didn't retain the information. I'm kind of surprised, myself.
DickweedMcGee t1_iqyj1tj wrote
Wait, can they fertilize themselves? Imagine masterbating, not being careful and you accidentally make yourself pregnant. How embarrassing....
Funnybunnybubblebath t1_iqyji7z wrote
If you find this interesting, I highly suggest you check out Green Porno hosted by Isabella Rossellini! It investigates the mating rituals of insects and funky animals.
WiseBlindDragon t1_iqyjilb wrote
Obligate cross-fertilizing hermaphrodites, lots and lots of living things reproduce this way. If you think that is exciting, wait till you hear about PLANTS
OccludedFug OP t1_iqyjn3d wrote
If I understand correctly, yes they can fertilize themselves.
Two earthworms will line up and each will inseminate the other
and when they pull out, the semen mixes.
Somehow fertilized eggs end up in a little cocoon thing that gets deposited.
If I understand correctly.
WiseBlindDragon t1_iqyjy22 wrote
Generally there are controls to avoid self insemination as it quickly leads to dangerous levels of inbreeding.
New_Insect_Overlords t1_iqykcva wrote
Evens-Stevens-Sexual
J-Logs_HER t1_iqyo1yx wrote
Well, if you can be one thing you should be efficient.
milkfrombananas t1_iqyp7th wrote
why don’t they just go fuck themselves?
TreeBearOne t1_iqyysfc wrote
..they keep it simple
HargorTheHairy t1_iqzsxb7 wrote
Life would be interesting if it were like this for humans.
urmum4207175 t1_ir0mcnz wrote
Nice!
ImYungKai t1_ir1pey4 wrote
Squiggledog t1_ir7htrh wrote
You only learned this today?
saraphilipp t1_irhm8sh wrote
I remember seeing worms after it rained at our lake house when I was a kid. Those suckers were over a foot long.
OccludedFug OP t1_iqyhyjt wrote
At birth, earthworms emerge small but fully formed, lacking only their sex structures which develop in about 60 to 90 days. They attain full size in about one year. Scientists predict that the average lifespan under field conditions is four to eight years, while most garden varieties live only one to two years.