Earthworms in a terrarium

[Douchka]

I'm thinking about the way I'll setup my snail's future terrarium. I've read on many websites that it was adviced to change the substrate on a regular basis.
However, I remember reading somewhere that earthworms could be introduced in the substrate in order to keep it sane and avoid changing it too much.

What do you think about it, and what would you advice me in order to avoid problems with worms ?

[coyote]

Different worms need different depths of soil. IIRC, nightcrawlers need at least one foot of soil to burrow in, while red wigglers need only a couple of inches. Also, they prefer a loose texture that's easy to burrow in; a dense, tightly-packed substrate would make it hard for them to thrive.

I've tried to keep garden worms in my snail tank, but they've never survived.

If you google worm composting you will find lots of websites that can explain what the worms need to be healthy and happy.

[Paul]

I currently keep worms in my tank amongst other things...

So far so good... I'd also read about depth issue for earthworms but it seemed to be more about the depths required to breed, with earthworms requiring a metre of soil. Most of my worms are earthworms (lobworms) and red worms and they've actually bred in the tank. The soil is a mixture of loam and normal potting soil, with a little peat and some soil improver (bark and stem etc.).

I guess the answer is try it and see...

Incidentally, I've not had a lot of time to spend on the forum or updating the website but I have continued keeping snails. I've scaled down and I'm now keeping smaller species, mainly so I can create a more self-sufficient habitat. I've had some successes and come to some conclusions and findings and I've made changes to the environment that I hope will prevent that retraction problem that crops up from time to time.

I think the next update on the website when I get time will be to write about this new set-up and to make a few modifications/suggestions to the care guide. At the moment, it'll be more of a discussion of certain issues than concrete advice.

So, watch this space....

[apple]

Nice to see you back, Paul!

[coyote]

I look forward to the new info you post, Paul!

[dave1961]

earth worms cant stand heat use brandling (tiger) worms they are the type you find in compost bins they need the heat so 30c not a problem