A new species of worm discovered in Idaho has been compared to the mysterious and elusive Mongolian Death Worm. Of course the newly discovered worm species doesn’t bear several similarities to the elusive cryptid, but it does have several similarities that are causing a number of cryptozoologists to pay special attention to this new discovery. The Palouse earthworm, recently captured by scientists at the University of Idaho is often chalked up as a creature of legend rather than a real creature, but this new evidence confirms the existence of such a three foot burrowing worm.
The creature was discovered first on March 27th when several field researchers came across the large spitting worm in Palouse Washington. Sam James has now confirmed that the creature that was discovered at the time is indeed the legendary Palouse spitting earthworm. Driloleirus Americanus, as it is called is thought to get up to three feet in size and bears a pinkish-white hue. The worms commonly inhabit burrows which can be found up to 15 feet beneath the surface of the earth, which they defend by spitting at attackers.
The albino looking worms are unfortunately only one step above endangered, and are currently listed as “vulnerable” currently meaning that unless action is taken to protect the species it may become endangered and eventually extinct. The cause of the creatures’ disappearance is largely due to destruction of their natural habitat. The worm is expected to be extinct within the next 20 years unless proper action is taken by conservative estimates.
And the creature bears many similarities to another cryptid that has thus far not yet been confirmed: the Mongolian Death Worm. The Mongolian Death Worm is a legendary red creature that is said to spit venom in the eyes of its victims and crackle with electrical energy generated in much the same way as the electric eel. It is said that if an unaware traveler steps on one of these creatures or grasps one with a bare hand, the victim is likely to be electrocuted immediately. Legends of the Mongolian Death Worm are as ancient as the area it inhabits, and though several expeditions have been mounted to discover the creature in its natural habitat, none have been successful. The creature is also said to give off a very strong odor reminiscent of that given off by the Driloleirus Americanus when being handled. Could these two worms be related somehow? And if so, is the Mongolian Death Worm in the same danger as its American cousin?
Those who are planning an expedition to discover the legendary creature to likewise confirm its expedition should be aware that the area it inhabits is a desolate stretch of the Gobi desert where life is rare, and harsh when present at all. It does, however, have a predilection for the royal color yellow, which it is said attracts the red worm. With new species being discovered every year, and several would-be-legends turning out to be factual species, it is a good time to be a cryptozoologist.