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Mongolian Death WormStatus: myth Family: ??????? When I first heard of the Mongolian Death Worm I first thought of Dune, then I thought it must be April fools day. Mind you It's not quite so large as the worms in Dune, but is very bizarre. It is described as a large, fat, red, worm-like creature that lives buried in the Gobi Desert. In the local tongue it is called Allghoi khorkhoi, which means the "blood filled intestine worm", as it appears very similar to a cow's intestine. It is reported to grow up to five feet in length, although it is possible that larger specimens may exist underground where it is also said to spend much of it's time. However, despite a number of serious investigations there are still no known reliable sightings.
The name derives from its alleged
ability to kill its prey at a distance. Some say that it spits poison or acid,
others say that it can fire a burst of electricity. In this it is reminiscent of
tales of wyrms or wingless dragons with their breath weapons,
which makes some feel this is purely a 'mythic' creature.
The more scientific view considers it possible this 'worm' is an unknown reptile,
such as some new type of legless lizard because of the dry
climate in which it lives. Strangely the colour yellow is said to attract the
creature. Modern Day Investigations Chief investigator of this animal is Czech author Ivan Mackerle who heard about it from a student from Mongolia. He set about researching the worm but found Mongolians have a real reluctance to discuss the worm. Over time he gathered many stories of the incredible worm which allowed him the produce a description:
'Sausage-like worm over half a metre (20 inches)
long, and thick as a man’s arm, resembling the intestine of cattle. Its tail is
short, as [if] it were cut off, but not tapered. It is difficult to tell its
head from its tail because it has no visible eyes, nostrils or mouth. Its colour
is dark red, like blood or salami… It moves in odd ways – either it rolls around
or squirms sideways, sweeping its way about. It lives in desolate sand dunes and
in the hot valleys of the Gobi desert with saxaul plants underground. It is
possible to see it only during the hottest months of the year, June and July;
later it burrows into the sand and sleeps. It gets out on the ground mainly
after the rain, when the ground is wet. It is dangerous, because it can kill
people and animals instantly at a range of several metres' I have found only one game about the creature, it is name 'Death Worm' and it is Windows only. You can download the zip, or even run the exe (3.4MB) live if your security allows it. It's a lot of fun! Enjoy!
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