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In general, scientists reject the possibility that such mega-fauna cryptids exist, because of the improbably large numbers necessary to maintain a breeding population<ref>[http://home.clara.net/rfthomas/news/bfhunting.html Bigfoot hunting<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and because climate and food supply issues make their survival in reported habitats unlikely.<ref> Sjögren, Bengt, ''Berömda vidunder'', Settern, 1980, ISBN 91-7586-023-6 {{sv icon}}</ref>
In general, scientists reject the possibility that such mega-fauna cryptids exist, because of the improbably large numbers necessary to maintain a breeding population<ref>[http://home.clara.net/rfthomas/news/bfhunting.html Bigfoot hunting<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and because climate and food supply issues make their survival in reported habitats unlikely.<ref> Sjögren, Bengt, ''Berömda vidunder'', Settern, 1980, ISBN 91-7586-023-6 {{sv icon}}</ref>


The [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]] name is олгой-хорхой (olgoi-khorkhoi) where ''olgoi'' means [[large intestine]] and ''khorkhoi'' means worm, so full name means "intestine worm" because it is reported to look like the [[intestine]] of a [[cow]]. It is the subject of a number of extraordinary claims by [[Mongols|Mongolian]] locals—such as the ability of the worm to spew forth [[sulfuric acid]] that, on contact, will turn anything it touches yellow and corroded (which would kill a human),<ref>[http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/column.php?id=98249 Unexplained Mysteries, Paranormal Phenomena and the Worlds Greatest Unexplained Mysteries], and numerous other sites</ref> and its purported ability to kill at a distance by means of electric discharge. Locals also report that the sound a Mongolian death worm makes preceding an attack is of a hissing, grinding sound, which one local claimed as audibly similar to a man saying "kythuliaz" in a nasally voice.
The [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]] name is олгой-хорхой (olgoi-khorkhoi) where ''olgoi'' means [[large intestine]] and ''khorkhoi'' means worm, so full name means "intestine worm" because it is reported to look like the [[intestine]] of a [[cow]]. It is the subject of a number of extraordinary claims by [[Mongols|Mongolian]] locals—such as the ability of the worm to spew forth [[sulfuric acid]] that, on contact, will turn anything it touches yellow and corroded (which would kill a human),<ref>[http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/column.php?id=98249 Unexplained Mysteries, Paranormal Phenomena and the Worlds Greatest Unexplained Mysteries], and numerous other sites</ref> and its purported ability to kill at a distance by means of electric discharge. Locals also report that the sound a Mongolian death worm makes preceding an attack is of a hissing, grinding sound, which one local claimed as audibly similar to a man saying "forthakythuliaz" in a nasally voice.


==Investigations==
==Investigations==

Revision as of 23:35, 27 September 2009

For the William Gibson novel, see Spook Country.
An interpretation of the Mongolian Death Worm by Belgian painter Pieter Dirkx

The Mongolian Death Worm is a cryptid purported 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 bright red worm with a wide body that is 0.6 to 1.5 meters (2 to 5 feet) long.[citation needed]

In general, scientists reject the possibility that such mega-fauna cryptids exist, because of the improbably large numbers necessary to maintain a breeding population[1] and because climate and food supply issues make their survival in reported habitats unlikely.[2]

The Mongolian name is олгой-хорхой (olgoi-khorkhoi) where olgoi means large intestine and khorkhoi means worm, so full name means "intestine worm" because it is reported to look like the intestine of a cow. It is the subject of a number of extraordinary claims by Mongolian locals—such as the ability of the worm to spew forth sulfuric acid that, on contact, will turn anything it touches yellow and corroded (which would kill a human),[3] and its purported ability to kill at a distance by means of electric discharge. Locals also report that the sound a Mongolian death worm makes preceding an attack is of a hissing, grinding sound, which one local claimed as audibly similar to a man saying "forthakythuliaz" in a nasally voice.

Investigations

One investigator of that animal is Czech author Ivan Mackerle, who said in Fate Magazine (June 1991) that it reportedly kills its victims by electrocution. British zoologist Karl Shuker brought it to the general attention of the English speaking public in his 1996 book The Unexplained,[4] followed a year later by his Fortean Studies paper on this subject, which was reprinted in The Beasts That Hide From Man in which it was hypothesized that the death worm was an Amphisbaenid.[5] Loren Coleman also included this animal in Cryptozoology A to Z.[6]

A joint expedition in 2005 by the Centre for Fortean Zoology and E-Mongol investigated new reports and sighting of the creature. They found no evidence of its existence, but could not rule out that it might live in the deep Gobi Desert along the prohibited areas of the Mongolian/Chinese border.

The most recent expedition was in 2006–2007, conducted by the reality-television series, Destination Truth. A New Zealand Television reporter, David Farrier (of TV3 News), announced that he would be taking part in another expedition in August 2009. During his expedition, his family back at home is reported to have been visited by Alaskan Bull worms for safe harbor.[7][8]

Cultural references

First the worm was mentioned in a short story Olgoi-Khorkhoi of Ivan Yefremov (1942-1943), next briefly in The Land of Crimson Clouds (1959), the debut novel of Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, in the 2007 novel Spook Country by William Gibson. It was also the subject of a story in the British anthology comic 2000 AD. The Mongolian death worm is also symbolized as a bringer of bad luck, one so great that is has the potential to ruin everyday people's lives. It doesn't like kids to play ships.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bigfoot hunting
  2. ^ Sjögren, Bengt, Berömda vidunder, Settern, 1980, ISBN 91-7586-023-6 Template:Sv icon
  3. ^ Unexplained Mysteries, Paranormal Phenomena and the Worlds Greatest Unexplained Mysteries, and numerous other sites
  4. ^ Karl Shuker (1996). The Unexplained. London: Carlton Books. ISBN 1-85868-186-3.
  5. ^ Karl Shuker (2003). The Beasts That Hide From Man. NY: Paraview. ISBN 1-931044-64-3.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 3News.co.nz
  8. ^ MONTSAME - NEWS AGENCY
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