An earthworm cut in half becomes two worms

An earthworm cut in half becomes two worms
	FALSE
	"If you cut an earthworm in half, both halves grow into two complete worms."
Domain	Science & Space
Tactic	Pseudoscience / Junk Science;
Era	Historical
First seen	20th century
Origin	Playground lore, often used to excuse cutting worms
Last reviewed	2026-10-30
	Further reading: books on Science & Space

Children often believe that cutting a worm in half doesn't hurt it, because each half will grow into a new worm.

That is not what usually happens to earthworms, though some other worms can regenerate.

What the evidence shows

One half at most. In some earthworm species, the front end, which holds the brain and vital organs, can survive and regrow a tail if the cut is far enough back. The tail end usually dies.
Depends on the cut. A worm cut near the middle often does not survive at all.
Flatworms are different. Planarian flatworms can regenerate whole bodies from small pieces, which may be one source of the myth.

The myth can lead children to harm animals in the belief that no harm is done.

Library of Congress, "If you cut an earthworm in half, does it turn into two worms?" Everyday Mysteries.
Scientific American, "Fact or Fiction?: If You Cut an Earthworm in Half, It Becomes Two Worms."
Natural History Museum, London, "Earthworms: facts and myths."