This is where things get weird and wonderful. Worms definitely react to being poked. They curl up, they flee.
But do they feel it like we do? Probably not. Their nervous system is too simple for emotions. It’s pure reflex, like when your knee jerks.
Earthworm Dissection Brain
Fun fact: Worms don’t have eyes, but their brain can sense light. Special cells in their skin tell the brain, “Hey, it’s bright! Burrow!”
They also hate vibrations. Stomp near one, and it panics. It thinks a hungry mole is coming. Poor guy.
What about memory? Can a worm remember you?
Yes! In a very, very basic way. Scientists have trained worms to avoid certain smells. They remember for a few hours.
It’s not like remembering your birthday. It’s more like a sticky note: “That smell = danger.” The brain does that little job.
Even funnier: if you cut off a worm’s head, the body can still “remember” for a while. The belly cord has its own tiny memory bank. Creepy, right?
