It lives in shallow-water marshes, ponds, and swamps, feeding on microorganisms and organic material.

Worms raised in laboratory environment are slightly shorter, with 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) long bodies.

[2] Among the characteristics of the genus is a green pigmentation of the anterior end, its two-pointed setae, and its curious reflex escape mechanisms.

When touched, L. variegatus will attempt to escape, either by swimming in a helical ("cork-screw") fashion, or by reversing its body.

Regeneration in L. variegatus follows a set pattern which was studied by the Russian embryologist Piotr Ivanov.