# Nightcrawler mortality. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 9, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105 "2011-08-09T17:47:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/1 "2011-08-09T17:47:55Z")
If I cut up a nightcrawler (for bait), can it (they) regenerate? Maybe _that_ would make me feel better. 😉 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/2 "2011-08-09T19:05:50Z")
Certainly not, after the pieces get eaten by a fish. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/3 "2011-08-09T19:12:27Z")
Only the head end can regenerate, and then only if there’s enough of the original worm. The rear end dies. ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/4 "2011-08-09T19:23:20Z")
I’ve used a lot of nightcrawlers in my life. They seem to die very easily. But I have to admit I’ve never waited long enough to see if they regenerate. The half-crawlers have to be tossed out if they’re not used. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/5 "2011-08-09T21:38:38Z")
I’m working out my new ultralight combo with a 1/32 oz float and jighead with about 3/4" of worm. Guess the rest can go to the crows. Crows love me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/6 "2011-08-10T04:47:42Z")
The common ground worm we dissected in my 7th grade science class could regenerate its rear portion so long as its forward 21 sections were intact. All the organs are up there; the rest, no matter how long the worm got, was just colon (or the analogous structure). So if it’s convenient, you can make sure you leave lots of room at the front and just chop off and use the back part. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/7 "2011-08-10T12:53:07Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > The common ground worm we dissected in my 7th grade science class could regenerate its rear portion so long as its forward 21 sections were intact. All the organs are up there; the rest, no matter how long the worm got, was just colon (or the analogous structure). So if it’s convenient, you can make sure you leave lots of room at the front and just chop off and use the back part. > > –Cliffy The crows aren’t going to like you one bit! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightcrawler-mortality/592105/8 "2011-08-10T13:18:25Z")
I’m no expert, but I thought it was Wolverine that regenerated, not Nightcrawler.