I live in southern Illinois on land that has been in the family since the 1950s. Around 1955 my father and uncle bought a quantity of "Canadian nightcrawlers". They released a lot of them on the ground around where my house now stands. Now there are thousands of 10 to 12 inch long nightcrawlers. It is not at all uncommon to see large ones on the sidewalk leading to the house, especially after a rain. A few years ago I planted a potted soil tree which likely had very few if any crawlers in it. A year or so later I had to transplant it, and when I dug it up the root ball was teeming with them, dozens in a pot size ball. I think the soil in the pot was better than the lawn soil and the worms were attracted it to.

I have picked up a big earthworm and sectioned it and caught several bluegill on the pieces. They certainly thrive here.

"I love living. I have some problems with my life, but living is the best thing they've come up with so far." � Neil Simon,