Fighting Extinction #1 - Kakapo, the Giant Parrot

Kakapo is one of the largest species of parrot on earth (approximately 60cm tall) which is also a flightless, nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot found in New Zealand. The flightless kakapo is defenseless and once thrived in its New Zealand habitat as there were no natural predators. However, as kakapo was eventually hunted by the natives and introduction of predators such as cats by the new settlers, its population has almost been wiped out. And now, kakapo one of the critically endangered animal species with less than 150 individuals in the wild.

Source: Click here

Source: Click here

During mating season, males attract females with loud call and elaborate display. The slow process of reproduction resulted from late sexual maturity as males reach sexual maturity at approximately age of 5 while female around 10 and also they only start breeding when there is abundance of food supply. Average kakapo lives around 60 years, and it is not uncommon for kakapo to be nearly 100 years old.

The Giant living Underground

I believe all of you have seen an earthworm before, but what is the size of the largest earthworm you have ever seen? 5cm? 10cm? Or 20cm? (in length)

In this post, I am going to introduce the world's LARGEST Earthworm - the Giant Gippsland Earthworm! For those who does not know about this species of earthworm, can you have a wild guess of how long will it be in the adult stage? (when stretch out)

a) 30cm?

b) 50cm?

c) 80cm?

d) 100cm?

e) 200cm?

Continue reading to find out the right answer by yourself.

The Giant Gippsland Earthworm is the largest Australian native worm, and it is the largest on earth too. The species name for this giant is Megascolides australis, when it was first discovered in 1870s, it was thought to be a snake!

A Giant Gippsland Earthworm egg

Photographer: Alan Henderson / Source: Museum Victoria

The earthworm has a grayish-pink body, and dark purplish-blue head. This giant earthworm lives deep underground and rarely leaves its moist underground maze, however, heavy rain may flush them out to the soil surface. When stomping on the ground above their hiding place, you could even hear a gurgling sound made by the worms moving quickly away from source of disturbance.

Giant Gippsland Earthworm is listed as endangered species as its natural habitat is disturbed by human settlement. Another situation that accounts for the reduction of the species is their super slow developmental rate and low reproduction rate. After mating, the earthworm will produce one egg sac (about 7cm) which will take up 1year to incubate and hatch. In the egg sac, there is only one baby worm, and it will take years to mature. When hatch, the baby is already 20cm in length.

Do you have the answer now?

Yes, the Giant Gippsland Earthworm normally can grow up to 200cm in length. The longest recorded length is 400cm! Don't freak out if you ever have the chance to witness one, this earthworm is absolutely harmless.

Beverley Van Praagh holding a Giant Gippsland Earthwrom during a Museum Victoria fieldtrip c. 1980. Photographer: Rodney Start / Source: Museum Victoria