Photo: Heavy Metal-Eating "Superworms" Unearthed in U.K.

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New varieties of the Lumbricus rubellus earthworm can eat hazardous waste, researchers reported in September 2008.

Above, the "reference" earthworms are normal, whereas the "stream" and "cottage" earthworms have evolved to survive in soils contaminated with high amounts of lead and zinc.

Photograph by Jane Andre

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