Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 4410245
African Nightcrawler
Eudrilus eugeniaeAlso known as West African Nightcrawler, African Composting Worm
African nightcrawlers are large, tropical earthworms easily recognized by their deep reddish-purple sheen and lively, energetic movement. They thrive in warm, moisture-rich organic matter, rapidly consuming decaying plant material to produce nutrient-dense vermicompost. High reproductive rates and fast growth make them key decomposers in tropical soils and vermiculture operations worldwide.
Soil InvertebrateDecomposerTropical
Licensed referenceMarvinBikolano / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Decomposing Plant Matter
- Soil Bacteria
- Fungi
Predators
- Birds
- Toads
- Predatory Beetles
ThreatsFreezing temperatures, extreme drying, and heavy chemical pesticides
HabitatsTropical soils, moist compost piles, leaf litter, and rich agricultural beds
Life span1–3 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyEudrilidae
- SpeciesEudrilus eugeniae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe and handle at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Compost Environment: Maintain bedding moisture and keep ambient temperatures around 25–30°C.
- Gentle Handling: Hold with moist hands for brief periods to prevent skin drying.
Composting Partner (c) Steve Kerr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Kerr · cc-by
Ecological Counterpart Tropical Competitor
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