Mongolian Death Worm
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The Mongolian Death Worm is a snakelike creature reported to exist in the Gobi Desert. It is generally considered a cryptozoological creature, one whose sightings and reports are disputed or unconfirmed.
It is described as a fat, bright red worm, two to four feet long. The local name is allghoi (or orghoi) khorkhoi (хорхой) which means "blood filled intestine worm," because it is reported to look like the intestine of a cow. There are a number of extraordinary claims by Mongolian locals (such as the ability of the worm to spew forth a yellow poison that is lethal on contact, and its purported ability to kill at a distance by means of electric discharge). However, there are no known reliable sightings. Some believe the worm is actually a reptile or legless lizard because of the dry climate in which it lives. The colour yellow is said to attract the worm.
Chief investigator of this animal is Czech author Ivan Mackerle. Loren Coleman first brought it to the general attention of the public in his 1999 book, Cryptozoology A to Z.[1] Dr. Karl Shuker also describes it in his book The Beasts that Hide from Man (2003), where he says it reportedly kills its victims by electrocution.
A joint expedition in 2005 by the Centre for Fortean Zoology, Cryptoworld and E-Mongol investigated new reports and sighting of the creature. They found no evidence of its existence, but believe that such a creature could exist in the deep Gobi Desert along the strictly prohibited areas of the Mongolian/Chinese border. Future expeditions are planned, where they will also investigate the legend of the Mongolian Almas (Алмас).
The most recent expedition was one in 2006-2007, conducted by the reality-television series, "Destination Truth" produced by the Mandt Brothers. [2]
One of the most notable mentions in fiction is in a short story of Ivan Yefremov[citation needed].
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Jerome Clark (1999). Cryptozoology A to Z: The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters, Sasquatch, Chupacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature. NY: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0-684-85602-6.
- ^ “Destination Truth” Gets Green Light. Cryptomundo (January 12, 2007). Retrieved on January 26, 2007.
