Researchers all over the world have been trying to save or protect the endangered species, whether be an animal or a worm. One such endeavor has been taken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has recently filed a petition, in which they have requested to protect the Palouse earthworms as they consider them as one of the endangered species. The researchers have been trying to find more of these species in the Palouse region, where these earthworms have got their name. Since little research have been done on the species, conservationists want that the Obama administration should take up initiatives to protect it. As a result, petition have been filed.

The earthworm has been identified by its early observers, who say that the earthworms grew up to 3 feet. It is said, that when touched, their body secretion smells like Lily. They spit at predators when attacked and are known to live in burrows that are about 15 feet deep.

The worm have not been seen often and has been found by a student of Johnson Maynard who is a professor at the University of Idaho. The specimen of the earthworm has been preserved in the same university which was found by the student in 2005. It has been known that it is the only sample of the species. As shown by the student, the earthworm looked like a worm which is fat and is milky white in color.

A student named Yaniria Sanchez De Leon found the earthworm when trying to collect soil, she had stuck a shovel in the ground.

The scientists are applying various methods to find out more samples of the Palouse earthworm.