The Gobi Desert, a vast and arid expanse, is not only known for its stark beauty but also for the whispers of a mysterious creature lurking beneath its sands: the Mongolian death worm. This cryptid, also known as “olgoi-khorkhoi” which translates to “large intestine-worm,” has captured the imagination of many.
Origin of the Legend Tales of the Mongolian death worm first reached Western ears through Roy Chapman Andrews’s 1926 book, On the Trail of Ancient Man. Andrews recounted second-hand accounts he heard from Mongolian officials, who, while never having seen the creature themselves, were convinced of its existence. They described it in detail. According to Mongolian prime minister Damdinbazar in 1922, the worm is about two feet long, shaped like a sausage, and lacks both a head and legs. It is said to be incredibly poisonous, with mere contact resulting in instant death. The creature was said to inhabit the most desolate parts of the Gobi Desert. Andrews himself did not believe in its existence.
Appearance and Behaviour The death worm is said to inhabit the western or southern Gobi Desert. According to a Mongolian legend cited by Ivan Mackerle, the creature travels underground, creating visible waves of sand on the surface. It is also said to be able to kill at a distance, either by spraying venom or by using electric discharge. The worm primarily lives and burrows underground, only rarely surfacing. However, some reports suggest that it emerges after rainfall and lives near sources of water. In 1932, Andrews added that it is reported to live in the most arid sandy regions of the western Gobi.
Investigations Over the years, many have tried to find the elusive death worm. Russian paleontologist and science fiction writer Ivan Yefremov wrote a short story called Olgoi-Khorkhoi in 1944 based on the tales of the worm. Yefremov also investigated the Gobi in 1946-49 and noted that although many had heard of the legend, none had actually seen the creature. In 1990 and 1992, Ivan Mackerle organised expeditions to find the death worm, using a “thumper” device and small explosions to try to bring it to the surface, inspired by Frank Herbert’s novel Dune. However, these efforts were unsuccessful.
In 2005, zoological journalist Richard Freeman also went on an expedition to search for the death worm but did not find any evidence. He concluded that the tales of the worm’s powers were likely made up and that sightings may have been of an unknown species of worm lizard or amphisbaena. The television series Destination Truth conducted an expedition between 2006 and 2007 and a New Zealand television reporter, David Farrier, also went on an expedition in 2009, but neither found evidence of the worm.
Possible Explanations In 1983, a specimen of a Tartar sand boa (Eryx tataricus) was shown to locals who claimed to have seen the “olgoi-khorkhoi”, and they confirmed that it was the same animal. This suggests that the sand boa may be the basis for the legend. It is worth noting that the death worm is generally less culturally prevalent than other cryptids, such as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.
The Worm in Popular Culture Although the Mongolian death worm is not as well known as other cryptids, it has inspired several works of fiction and popular culture. The worm is commonly cited as the inspiration for the Graboids in the Tremors film franchise. It is also the inspiration for the Purple Worm in Dungeons and Dragons. In addition, the SyFy channel released a film titled Mongolian Death Worm in 2010. The cryptid also appears as a miniboss in Dark Souls III called the Carthus Sand Worm. Additionally, the creature features in the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion called “Scorched Earth”, named “Death Worm”.
Despite numerous expeditions and investigations, the mystery of the Mongolian death worm remains unsolved. While it is possible that the creature is simply a legend, it continues to fuel curiosity and debate.
Comments and Reactions