The Giant Gippsland Earthworm is one of the largest species of earthworm in the world, growing up to 3m long. Two others, the Giant Gippsland Earthworm ( Megascolides australis) and Oregon Giant Earthworm ( Driloleirus macelfreshi) are considered to be endangered. Of these species, one, the Lake Pedder Earthworm ( Hypolimnus pedderensis) is thought be extinct – it used to live by Lake Pedder in Tasmania but has not been seen since the site was flooded for a hydroelectric power station. Nearly all mammal and bird species have been assessed by the IUCN but much less is known about how invertebrate species are doing, with only 7 earthworm species assessed out of around 7000 species worldwide. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assesses species to see how at risk they are of extinction on its Red List. Around the internet today there will be lots of articles on familiar endangered animals such as elephants, rhinos and tigers, but lots of smaller animals, including some earthworms, are also endangered. An endangered species is one where its population is especially low, when the last have gone it is classed as extinct.
Today is Endangered Species Day, which aims to make people aware about endangered species, why they are threatened and how they can be helped.
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