The European nightcrawler (Dendrobaena hortensis) is a medium-small earthworm averaging about 1.5 g when fully grown.

Generally blueish, pink-grey in color with a banded or striped appearance, the tips of their tails are often cream or pale yellow.

The species is usually found in deep woodland litter and garden soils that are rich in organic matter in European countries.

Compared to Eisenia fetida, D. hortensis does best in an environment with a higher carbon to nitrogen ratio.

[6] European nightcrawlers can be invasive and should be used only in contained compost systems in parts of the world with northern deciduous and boreal forest ecosystems.