Fauna
Invertebrate

Red Wiggler

Eisenia fetida

Also known as Manure Worm, Tiger Worm, Redworm, Brandling Worm

Red wigglers excel at breaking down decaying organic material, churning manure, rotting vegetation, and leaf litter into rich compost. When threatened, these surface-dwelling worms exude a pungent yellow fluid with a sharp garlic smell to deter predators. Unlike deep-burrowing nightcrawlers, they thrive exclusively in top layer organic waste and reproduce rapidly in warm, moist environments.

DecomposerEpigeanComposter
Red Wiggler reference1 / 7
(c) Steve Kerr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Kerr · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMicroorganisms, Decaying Leaves, Fungal Spores
Predators
  • Songbirds
  • Toads
  • Ground Beetles
ThreatsExtreme temperatures, desiccation, chemical pesticides
HabitatsCompost heaps, manure piles, rotting leaf litter, rich topsoil
Life span1–5 years
Classification
  1. FamilyLumbricidae
  2. SpeciesEisenia fetida
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans; safe to observe and handle gently.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Keep worms moist and out of direct light during close inspection. short study sessions.
  • Composting: Maintain damp conditions and aerate organic waste to help colonies thrive.
Related species
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