Earthworms are one of the most useful creatures on Earth. In 1959, in the United States, in the state of California, breeder scientists managed to develop a new species. So there were California worms. Thanks to the new features of this type of worms, it has become easier to plant and ennoble depleted soils.
So what are the distinctive features of California earthworms?
Firstly, the new species is a long-liver. These simple invertebrates live on average up to 15 years. And this is 4 times more than ordinary rain "savages."
Secondly, during the season they quickly multiply in the natural environment, laying up to 20 cocoons. In greenhouse conditions, reproduction occurs at even greater speed.
But the main advantage is the ability to breed them even in ordinary apartments, as California worms are quite calm and do not crawl out of their breeding boxes.
Value for nature and agriculture
It is difficult to find the same necessary and indispensable assistant in agriculture and agriculture as the California red worm. A lot of animals, birds and fish eat it. For the first time they began to be massively bred in America. Thanks to this, it became possible to switch to natural, safer ways to improve the soil. However, in the process of artificial growing, there were some difficulties associated with the diet of worms.
As it turned out, this species can only eat the food to which it is used to initially. That is why it is recommended to take cocoons for breeding. Only this approach will eliminate the risk of losing a whole population of adults. This is due, first of all, to the fact that California worms are unable to absorb new food, from birth they are “programmed” for a specific diet.
What do California worms eat?
Like any other subspecies, California eats plant debris. For mass breeding build worms, where they place the nutrient substrate. The main food is humus or dung. Fresh manure needs to be fermented, that is, it must be re-heated. In addition, you need to ensure that the substrate is always moistened, for this it is covered with polyethylene. California worms in a short time completely process organic waste in manure, leaving the so-called "heaps" behind. In fact, this coprolite is a valuable fertilizer containing a lot of nutritious and easily digestible substances. Humus, in which worms live, is odorless, so home breeding is also possible.
In the conditions of breeding in the apartment, it is necessary to take into account the temperature regime. The warmer, the more actively the reproduction process will go. As food, ground potato peelings, fruit residues, banana peel, slept coffee and tea can be added to the main substrate. In this case, one must not forget about the moisture of the substrate. Ultimately, you can get valuable fertilizer, and several times increase the number of worms in your area. Due to their physiological characteristics, these invertebrates secrete a substance that neutralizes unpleasant odors, which means that breeding at home is quite acceptable.
