worm like creature id

[khampson]

Hi tonight I let my dog out on the lawn to do her business and I saw a strange worm like creature, I will try and explain it. It was a pinkish/purple in colour, about 1.5 to 2 cm thick and about 7 or 8 cm long, some of the body was possibly burried in the ground, on the head or possibly tail it was shaped like a V and looked a little like a snake toungue I touched it with a small stick (not to hurt or damage it) and it was so fast it seem to disappear in to the ground and i mean very fast, I searched for it but it had gone. I've never seen one before and it looked slightly slimy, can anyone help me identify what I saw please.

Keith

[The Woodman]

Hi Keith

What you have described sounds very much like one of the larger earthworm species. They do emerge from their burrows at night and lie on the surface; lawns being easier to see them on. They are sensitive to vibration, light and touch and will retreat rapidly into their holes where they usually leave the a short length of tail to assist them retreat at speed.

1.5 to 2 cms thick does seem to be very large though unless two were together mating. If they were, each worm would disengage and retreat into their respective holes.

When on the surface they collect vegetation to ingest which you may find around their holes - the mouthparts may have been extended which might have appeared as a tongue but not a forked one!

Warm nights with good condensation is perfect for them. Have another look tomorrow, it should be there again.

In the States they are called "nightcrawlers".