OccludedFug OP t1_iqyjn3d wrote on October 4, 2022 at 1:05 AM

Reply to comment by DickweedMcGee in TIL earthworms are hermaphrodites. Each carries male and female reproductive organs. When mating, two individual earthworms will exchange sperm and fertilize each other's eggs. by OccludedFug

If I understand correctly, yes they can fertilize themselves.
Two earthworms will line up and each will inseminate the other
and when they pull out, the semen mixes.

Somehow fertilized eggs end up in a little cocoon thing that gets deposited.

If I understand correctly.

WiseBlindDragon t1_iqyjy22 wrote on October 4, 2022 at 1:08 AM

Generally there are controls to avoid self insemination as it quickly leads to dangerous levels of inbreeding.