The Tiny Piles of Earth

After a shower, the woodland edge was still damp. On a patch of soil beside the path, Puschel noticed a little pile of brown crumbs. It was much smaller than his paw. Another lay nearby. He knelt on the firm path.

Puschel“Someone has been building here. There must be a nut-sized digger underneath us!”

Flauschi knelt beside him and held the green magnifying glass a little way above the crumbs. They saw small, uneven curls of earth. Neither touched the pile or pushed soil aside.

Flauschi“Earthworms can leave little piles like these. But not every pile of earth is automatically a sign of a worm.”

Puschel“Did the worm drive the digger?”

Flauschi“It needs no machine. Earthworms can work their way through soil with their flexible bodies. This can make tunnels. Some also take in soil containing dead plant pieces.”

Puschel looked at the tiny crumbs. Flauschi explained that a body processes food. What comes out afterwards is called droppings, or poo. Earthworm droppings contain lots of soil. Some kinds leave them on the surface too, where they can form little piles.

Puschel“Then perhaps a worm was here. But its building plans are farther down.”

Flauschi nodded. Tunnels could make routes for air and water in the soil. Not every kind of earthworm lived in the same way; some stayed nearer the surface than others. The two did not need to dig a worm out to make their discovery.

Puschel“I can see the crumbs. I cannot see who lives below. My report should stay careful.”

Flauschi“Exactly. We have found a possible clue and learned something about earthworms.”

They left the little piles in place. Puschel put his feet on the clear middle of the path. The soil find was neither a toy nor something to taste. Even without a visible digger, plenty seemed to be happening beneath their feet.