I've inventoried them all twice. The red worms have multiplied a little, and I've been able to find 4 coccoons and about 10 really tiny red worms. The night crawlers started at 19, and now I have 16, all big. I've not found any nightcrawler coccoons.

I've just tonight moved both sets of worms into different boxes with all new bedding, and I will let the old bedding continue for a while to see what if anything hatches out.

Basically I'm giving up on trying to raise the nightcrawlers in captivity.

Jim Marconnet

Specifically, I read: Anecic species, represented by the common nightcrawler (Lumbricus terrestris), construct permanent vertical burrows as deep as 4 to 6 feet in the soil. They feed on organic debris on the soil surface and convert it into humus. If anecic species are deprived of their permanent homes, they will discontinue breeding and cease to grow.

In my limited experience, with nightcrawlers and red worms in separate bins, subjected to the same indoor environment, bedding, food, etc. I've found that the red worms tend to be at least a little fruitful and multiply slowly. Where the nightcrawlers eat and grow a little larger, but they don't seem to breed.

So my giving up trying to raise Canada Nightcrawlers in captivity seems like a smart move. I was hoping to hear from someone with some trick or whatever that made their attempt successful. So far, no such luck!

Jim

Jim