If you struggle with depression or anxiety pets can be overwhelming. Actually, they’re overwhelming without depression and anxiety.

They’re expensive, time consuming, and take our energy. If you have kids, a job, or are going to school, you have enough things to do.

So I’m going to elaborate on a super low maintenance pet & cover some of the most common questions about how to keep a pet worm.

You could even go outside and find one for free so you won’t even have to spend any of your hard earned money!

Outdoor activities boost growth and healing, especially mental health. 

& even people who love the outdoors can struggle to find enjoyable outdoor activities.

So here is just one idea to get outside, along with some info on how to keep a pet worm.

Where do I get a Pet Worm?

Your local bait shop or pet store may sell worms. You can also find them online.

Here is just one site that sells pet worms: Petco Live Worms

What To Put in Your Pet Worm Tank

Worms tend to like to hide in warm dark places. You can use paper bedding, cardboard, coconut husk, manure, leaves, or peat moss.

If you want to use rocks I would recommended smooth stone just for the sake of safety.

If you use manure, be mindful that manure will also use oxygen. Manure that is not changed can and will deplete the oxygen and kill worms.

As long as you clean your tank on occasion your worms should have enough oxygen.

You will want to keep their environment moist as this is how they absorb oxygen. Having a humidifier nearby is one idea to keep them moist or you could mist their tank with a spray bottle as needed.

You can use a glass or plastic container. If you’re going to have multiple worms you could use a 5-10 gallon container.

You can use a container as small as 1 gallon if you’re just going to have one pet worm.

Depending on the arrangement of your tank you may want to have a lid and ensure that air can get through the lid. This will contain the worm, protect the pet worm and will keep odor minimal.

You can experiment with different plant life for the worm. You do not need a filter or an air pump as you really don’t want the worm to be living underwater. Even though they need to be moist they prefer some sort of substrate; like dirt, mud, decaying leaves, etc.

Here is a tank

What to Feed Your Pet Worm?

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Organic waste
• Manure
• Avoid pesticides and other chemicals
• Avoid chlorine
• Avoid manure that may contain dewormer
• Avoid processed food, dairy & meat
• Avoid excessive amount of citrus
• Avoid excessive amounts of salt

How Often Do Worms Eat?

You can leave food in there for them to graze on and change it when it is almost gone.

Some worm owners will only feed their worms in a certain location and this can be helpful to see when it needs to be replenished.

You can also process the food  in a blender or food processor to help it break down faster.

It is not abnormal for worms to wait a while before touching the food. 

Are Worms Dangerous?

Worms are not dangerous. They do not carry disease or parasites. They are not venomous or poisonous and they do not have teeth.

However, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after handling any animal, especially since they usually thrive in manure or other decomposing material.

Where do Worms Come From?

Worms can commonly be found in organic waste as long as there is enough moisture. They can be found underneath rocks or plants.

They come from eggs within cocoons, which are quite small.

They will hide themselves in the mud or other substrate during the winter until warmer weather comes around.

How do Worms Reproduce?

Worms are hermaphrodites but they still need a mate to reproduce. When they do mate, either one worm or both worms can become pregnant.

They will lay up to 20 eggs in a moist place sealed in a cocoon, the number of offspring does vary depending on the species of worm. The incubation period also varies between species and conditions. 

It can take up to a month for the worm to mature.

It typically takes up to 90 days for them to be able to reproduce.

How Long Do Worms Live?

A worms lifespan varies, by a lot! They may live as short as a few months but can also live up to 10 years.

There have even been reports of worms living for up to 20 years.

Tips on How To Keep a Pet Worm

• Worms like humidity
• Be mindful that they can reproduce very quickly
• Worms are nocturnal
• Worms prefer darkness
• Worms are escape artists
• Remember that they can squeeze through small spaces

Hopefully this information helps, if you have any insight to add, please leave a comment!

Here are more posts related to How to Keep A Pet Worm:

Outdoor Activities During the Winter

Outdoor Activities During the Spring

Outdoor Activities During the Fall

Outdoor Activities During the Summer

The 10 Best Small Pets For Anxiety 

Owning a Pet Slug

Easy Outdoor Activities for Mental Health: Salamander Searching

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