Mike Clement, age 11, of Bondurant, Iowa, for his question:

Which is the longest earthworm species?

Some observers report that the longest earthworm measures seven feet, others claim that specimens with a length of 11 feet have been found. All agree that his scientific name is Megascolides australis. The genus name Megascolides refers to the enormous length of his colon. Australis, the species name, indicates that this seven to 11 foot earthworm is a native of Australia. For his length, he is a rather skinny worm. His long body is less than one inch wide. The smallest earthworm never gets to be longer than about one 25th of an inch. The most common species measure dust a few inches  ¬but they can stretch much longer. But the giant of the clan is an Australian. He bends and coils his seven foot body, crawls and burrow as easily as the average sized worm, in our gardens.