Would giant worms cause environmental damage?

Gargantuan carnivorous worms with layers and layers of flesh rending teeth are a pretty common sight in some science-fiction stories. They tunnel through earth and sand as fast as a car, sensing the vibrations from prey before launching itself at them from below.

However, I have always wondered whether it would bring about large-scale destruction due to its tunneling. Say if it were 3meter in diameter and 21 meter long (I scaled it up with no regard for the square cube law but handwave it for now.), it would leave behind 3 meter wide holes or at least displace a large amount of earth. It can tunnel through rock, dirt and sand at around 25km/hour. And it's bound to at least cause some damage right?

On Earth, where earthworms are much smaller. They bring about healthy benefits to the soil. This article touches on it. Well I find it unlikely that giant worms could bring about benefits to the ecosystem, I won't throw away that possibility yet.

To summarize this question, If giant worms existed on earth, would it cause large amounts of destruction to the environment? Like if it tunneled beneath a forest, a mountain and desert?

Regarding numbers, then at least one for every 100,000 meter square. Probably more than 10 during mating seasons? (Ew) I have seen videos of worms congregating into a large pile of worms entangled together and maybe these giant worms would too.

^^^An example of a large worm,the tentacles are questionable. For a bad game, it sure does make some nice art.(Ark survival evolved)

posted about 8 years ago

Skye‭

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