Laurel Beal, age 12, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for her question:

What kind of food should be given to an earthworm?

It is easy to keep these shy, little creatures in captivity. They are quiet and placid and not much attention is needed to keep them comfortable. However, earthworms ale lowly creatures and we cannot expect much response from them as pets. Provide a box of moist garden soil that is rich in humus and decaying vegetation. This organic material makes up an earthworm's basic diet. But it is not enough to keep him in a healthy condition. He needs extra vegetation, but fresh leaves and salad greens do not appeal to him. He prefers wilted vegetation, a bit on the crispy, dry fide and about ready to decompose with decay.

Plenty of this kind of food can be found as fallen leaves under trees. Take home one or two of these old, crispy brown leaves and place them on the top of the earthworm's soil.

At night, when lights are dim, he will come up from his burrow, crawl around and find himself a banquet. He may not have time to finish by dawn. If he doesn't, he may drag the leaf all or partway home. So do not be surprised next morning to see the end of a wilted leaf sticking out of his burrow. He plans to nibble on it later.