In the southern part of the Gobi desert, a monstrous worm is thought to live under the sand by many of the locals. It’s become the subject of many stories mostly because it sounds like something strait out of a science fiction novel.
The Mongolian Death Worm is thought to be 2-10 feet in length. It hibernates in the sand most of the year but emerges to feed on various local plants. The Mongolians say that it has strange projections on both ends, is a dark red color and has the ability to spew poisonous acid and deliver a deadly electric shock when threatened. Touching the Mongolian Death Worm means instant death because of its high level of toxicity.
While many people have gone looking for it, no one has come back with any evidence that it actually exists. Most of the Mongolian stories are based on legends and folklore passed down from previous generations. Of course, the desert is very large and there’s always the possibility that an undiscovered creature like this could be living away from the eye of humans. Real or legend, this is one monster I hope I never cross paths with.
Clark, Jerome and Coleman, Loren. Cryptozoology A-Z. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999. Pages 186-187
