Earthworm surface crawl
Earthworm surface crawl is the rate at which an earthworm moves along the ground by extending and contracting its body segments.
How big is it?
0.005 m/s · surface crawling speed
Surface crawling speed · representative
Typical recorded range: 0.001 m/s to 0.02 m/s.
A little perspective
Earthworm surface crawl vs Snail crawling: speed comparison
The speed of an earthworm’s surface crawl is about 5 times the speed of a crawling snail.
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND
Earthworm surface crawl is the rate at which an earthworm moves along the ground by extending and contracting its body segments.
5 mm in 1 s
Snail crawling is the slow movement of a snail as it glides along a surface using its muscular foot.
1 mm in 1 s
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Earthworm surface crawl
Surface crawling speed: 0.005 m/s; representative; range 0.001 m/s–0.02 m/s.
A representative 5 mm/s surface crawl for an earthworm. Species, body extension, substrate, moisture and escape behaviour account for the broad range.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked surface crawling speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Snail crawling
Speed: 0.001 m/s; example.
A chosen 1 mm/s crawl. Species, surface and conditions affect pace.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 0.005 m/s
We compare the speed of an earthworm’s surface crawl. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 0.001 m/s to 0.02 m/s.
A representative 5 mm/s surface crawl for an earthworm. Species, body extension, substrate, moisture and escape behaviour account for the broad range.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.005 m/s | 0.001 m/s to 0.02 m/s | representative |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueMotion and speedBanana slug crawl0.0015 m/sCrawling speedBanana slug crawl refers to the speed at which a banana slug moves across a surface using muscular contractions and mucus secretion.
Nearest higher valueMotion and speedWalking1.389 m/sSpeedWalking is a form of human locomotion where one foot is always in contact with the ground.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MotionSnail crawling0.001 m/sSnail crawling is the slow movement of a snail as it glides along a surface using its muscular foot.MotionBanana slug crawl0.0015 m/sBanana slug crawl refers to the speed at which a banana slug moves across a surface using muscular contractions and mucus secretion.MotionRed blood cell in a capillary0.001 m/sA red blood cell in a capillary refers to an erythrocyte moving through the body's smallest blood vessels as part of microcirculation.MotionGarden snail relaxed crawl0.0008 m/sA garden snail relaxed crawl describes the slow, steady movement of a garden snail as it glides along a surface.
MotionElectron drift in household copper wiring0.0001 m/sThis refers to the slow average movement of electrons through copper wire when an electric current flows.
TransportVenetian gondola10.85 mA Venetian gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed rowing boat used for transport on the canals of Venice.PeopleOne-hour walk5 kmA one-hour walk is the distance a person travels by walking continuously at a steady pace for one hour.
TransportCanal narrowboat17.7 mA canal narrowboat is a long, slender vessel designed for navigating the narrow canals of the United Kingdom.