Brandling worm (Eisenia fetida)

Habitat
Usually found in garden compost but also occurs in wet, decaying leaf litter, organic-rich soils and manure heaps

Diet
Eats rotting vegetation

Size
Typical size of adult is 6cm

Characteristics

• The whole body is stripy on its upper surface
• The upper surface has dark red bands, with a narrower pale pink or yellowish band in between
• Saddle usually a similar colour to the rest of the body
• Can exude an unpleasant-smelling yellowish fluid when handled