Most records of Giant Gippsland Earthworm occur on private land, although it is known to occur on some areas of public land e.g. Known distribution of Giant Gippsland Earthworm (VBA 2019) The Giant Gippsland Earthworm range is confined to an area of approximate 400 square kilometres in West Gippsland, Victoria but the viable habitat areas are very small and often fragmented. It has a diameter of up to 2 cm and usually a body length of 80 to 150 cm although specimens of up to 2 metres have been recorded. The Giant Gippsland Earthworm has a purple-coloured head region and pinkish-grey body. This species requires careful conservation measures as it is difficult to study and can easily be damaged due to handling. It is also a species which dies in captivity and is not suitable for captive breeding, making it even more important to retain existing populations.Īs development of land continues in West Gippsland special care is required to ensure the Giant Gippsland Earthworm continues to survive. It is rarely seen due to its underground life cycle but sometimes can be heard as it moves beneath the ground. It is one of the largest earthworms in the world, often exceeding one metre in length.
The Giant Gippsland Earthworm Megascolides australis is only found in small areas of South and West Gippsland, Victoria.
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