Blackhead worm

The blackhead worm is a large earthworm. It is dark greyish brown in colour with a distinctive black head. Blackhead worms are deep burrowers. Their burrows can extend as deep as 3 metres. They look for food on the soil surface and then drag it down into their burrows. They tend to make permanent or semi-permanent burrows.

Scientific name: Aporrectodea longa
Status: introduced
Soil niche: anecic
Length: 90–120 mm

Image: Ross Gray