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Creature 
Fast Facts

Introducing you to extinct species.

Lake Pedder earthworm

THE LAKE PEDDER

EARTHWORM

1. The Lake Pedder earthworm, Hypolimnus pedderensis, is only known from a single specimen collected in 1971 before the installation of a hydroelectric dam in the area. 2. This pink earthworm lived in Tasmania. 3. The Lake Pedder earthworm was 55 mm (2 inches) long and 1.6 mm in diameter. 4. This specimen had 129 body segments. 5. Nothing is known about its habits, but it was thought to eat algae and organic matter in the sand. 6. It is thought each individual was both male and female and would lay its eggs in a cocoon in the soil since this is a characteristic of most earthworms. 7. In 1996, a team was put together to survey the Lake Pedder region for this earthworm, but once its habitat was flooded to create the hydro-electric dam, the Lake Pedder earthworm was never seen again. 8. It is believed to have gone extinct in 1972 once the Lake Pedder region was flooded.

Extinction 
Cometh

Facing the light at the end of the tunnel

EXTINCTION DATE

1972

The Lake Pedder earthworm lived in Tasmania. It is only known from one specimen collected while scouting out an area of Maria Creek along the Serpentine River & Huon River for an area to install a hydroelectric dam. Because it is only known from one specimen, little is known about its habits or life cycle. It is thought that it lived on organic matter and helped dig holes which aerated the soil like most other earthworms. Once the area was flooded to create Lake Pedder in 1972, the Lake Pedder earthworm was never seen again. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 10 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The Lake Pedder earthworm might be a candidate. Scientists would potentially use DNA from the one and only specimen at the Museum of Tasmania. While it could possibly be a candidate for de-extinction, its more famous Tassie neighbor, the Tasmanian tiger is a more likely species for Tasmania to bring back from extinction. If the Lake Pedder earthworm was brought back from extinction, could it survive in another area of Tasmania, we may never know.

Lazarus
Tales

Short stories of return

NEW STORY

Would I have to hold my breath? Would I be able to swim if I had to? Would anyone even notice me? I mean, I’d only ever been photographed once. I would never know unless I tried. Who am I? I am the Lake Pedder earthworm, known from only one chance encounter with the people. I am a small, two inch, 129 segmented earthworm that used to call Lake Pedder, Tasmania home. Yes, the same place where my well-known countrymen, the thylacine aka Tazzy Tiger, lives. Even here in the Garden, in animal heaven, I am often overlooked. I decided that I’d strike out on a little adventure of my own. The worst that could happen is that I’d end up here, safe and sound.

More to Explore
All answers lead to more questions

The only museum specimen is held at the Museum of Tasmania
Image from Wikipedia

An image of the only Lake Pedder earthworm specimen ever collected
Image from Wikipedia

Some people are proposing that Lake Pedder be restored to its original size as shown in this map
Image from The Mercury

Lake Pedder has been a source of controversy since it was expanded in 1972
Image from The Examiner

A diagram of the Lake Pedder earthworm's anatomy
Image from Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

A cartoon I drew of a Lake Pedder earthworm

Lake Pedder earthworm design
Image from Deviant Art

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