On his way to host a talk in Bedford, Babylonstoren’s succulent expert came across a giant earthworm in the road.
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Ernst van Jaarsveld spotted the creature, which he thought was a snake at first, crossing a gravel road in the rain. However, it was a Microchaetus rappii (the African giant earthworm), an earthworm unique to the Eastern Cape and the largest type of earthworm in the world (the longest recorded length was 6.7m).
While he had no instruments to record his findings and drove a rented car, Van Jaarsveld left the earthworm in a safe spot, hoping to find it again on his return trip.
The worm, however, disappeared, as it only appeared once or twice per year after heavy rains.
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