Cryptozoology is full of stories concerning creatures of the air, land and sea, from strange ape-men, winged humanoids and fearsome giant cephalopods, to out of place wild cats.
But what about mythical and mysterious insects and arachnids? Here is a classic example.
But what about mythical and mysterious insects and arachnids? Here is a classic example.
A Killer Worm
A rendering of one such creepy crawly cryptid. When we talk of cryptozoology and cryptids we tend to first jump to the obvious cases - Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, The Chupacabra, Mothman, and The Kraken. Various species of creatures are encompassed in these cases, such as primates and apes, possible living dinosaurs and mis-identified or unknown bird life. All of these creatures have various sizes and forms, and can clearly be seen when they make themselves available to be observed, scaring and mystifying those who come into their path.
But what about the creepy crawlies, the smaller creatures that we deal with every day, whether it be swatting that pesky fly, watching that beautiful butterfly in the air or screaming at that perceived huge spider scurrying up your wall?
The varied species of insects and arachnids make up more than half of all known living organisms on the planet, and can be found in every kind of environment on Earth, so it is only natural that mythical anthropods have a small place alongside other cryptid forms.
But what about the creepy crawlies, the smaller creatures that we deal with every day, whether it be swatting that pesky fly, watching that beautiful butterfly in the air or screaming at that perceived huge spider scurrying up your wall?
The varied species of insects and arachnids make up more than half of all known living organisms on the planet, and can be found in every kind of environment on Earth, so it is only natural that mythical anthropods have a small place alongside other cryptid forms.
A large worm that can spit acid and emits a electrical charge... One of the more well-known, perhaps, examples in cryptozoological circles is The Mongolian Death Worm, a creature said to dwell in the Gobi Desert of Asia that locals swear does exist, however a number of expeditions and hunts for the creature by Westerners have all turned up empty. This creature was the inspiration behind the Graboid creatures in the Tremors series of films, but its description and abilities lean more towards perhaps the Xenomorph species of the Alien film franchise, as it is claimed it is "a bright red worm with a wide body 2 to 5 feet long, with no discernable head or tail,and has the ability to spray a corrosive acid that can melt metal and is highly venomous to humans".
It is said to have a preference for the colour yellow, and dwells underground. It also has, some claim, a tail that can emit a electrical charge that can travel metres, and a mouth with many layers of sharp small teeth.
Western scholars and explorers disregard the stories as folklore, but many still believe the creature does exist, especially the locals who say Olgoi-Khorkhoi (meaning "large intestine worm"), as it is named locally, regularly kills camels and lays its eggs in its victims intestines.
It is said to have a preference for the colour yellow, and dwells underground. It also has, some claim, a tail that can emit a electrical charge that can travel metres, and a mouth with many layers of sharp small teeth.
Western scholars and explorers disregard the stories as folklore, but many still believe the creature does exist, especially the locals who say Olgoi-Khorkhoi (meaning "large intestine worm"), as it is named locally, regularly kills camels and lays its eggs in its victims intestines.
Mongolian Death Worm. Some believe the creature not to be a worm, but of some yet unclassified reptile, a lizard or snake, that has been exaggerated by locals. However the Natives describe a creature more like a earthworm, bright red in colour and the size of a mans arm.
Legends have been told of the creature over centuries by Mongolians, but the creature only came to Western attention when a American paleontologist published a book in 1926 and described being part of a "gathering" by Mongolian officials sharing stories of recent sightings of the creature. Professor Roy Chapman Andrews was not convinced by the second hand tales however and concluded the creature was folklore.
Many cryptozoologists believe the creature does exist and many have written about their theories regarding the creature and its identity.
Could a yet unknown species of worm reside under the arid sandy landscape of the Gobi Desert, killing camels and humans with an acidic spray or electrical discharge?
Or perhaps it is a bizarre extra-terrestrial creature that resides in all desert areas of the Globe?
With only anecdotal and second hand reports of the creature, will modern science eventually ensnare the elusive Mongolian Death Worm?
Legends have been told of the creature over centuries by Mongolians, but the creature only came to Western attention when a American paleontologist published a book in 1926 and described being part of a "gathering" by Mongolian officials sharing stories of recent sightings of the creature. Professor Roy Chapman Andrews was not convinced by the second hand tales however and concluded the creature was folklore.
Many cryptozoologists believe the creature does exist and many have written about their theories regarding the creature and its identity.
Could a yet unknown species of worm reside under the arid sandy landscape of the Gobi Desert, killing camels and humans with an acidic spray or electrical discharge?
Or perhaps it is a bizarre extra-terrestrial creature that resides in all desert areas of the Globe?
With only anecdotal and second hand reports of the creature, will modern science eventually ensnare the elusive Mongolian Death Worm?
By Matty Sweeney 2014
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