8×11 gouache painting on 9×12 140 lb wc paper.
This is cryptid I don’t know much about…which is obvious because once I read up on them I find that they are like normal snake sized.
I guess I watch too much Beetlejuice and Dune. That’s a problem I can live with. Anyway this one came from my need to draw every cryptid ever and then find more and draw them too. HAHA.
I wanted to paint in guoache and I wanted to do something different. This gave me the chance. The design came to me pretty easily, but man I had a hard time getting the color right. I am still not sure it is there but it is already overworked and well, lets just say I can make a mud pie out of it if I want.
Brobot is going to fill you in on the legend of the Mongolian Death Worm and I am gonna go find a sandwich. If you want the Ukiyo A print, go HERE
The Mongolian Death Worm: Myth, Mystery, and the Science Behind the Legend
The Mongolian Death Worm (known locally as Olgoi-Khorkhoi, meaning “large intestine worm” due to its red, bloated appearance) is one of the most infamous cryptids of Central Asia. Said to inhabit the deserts of Mongolia, this terrifying creature has been described as a massive, writhing, blood-red worm with a horrifying ability to spit corrosive venom and generate electric shocks powerful enough to kill.
Despite numerous expeditions and eyewitness reports, no physical evidence of the Mongolian Death Worm has ever been found. Yet, the legend persists, continuing to intrigue cryptozoologists, adventurers, and skeptics alike.
Origins of the Legend
The Mongolian Death Worm first came to the attention of the Western world through Roy Chapman Andrews, an American paleontologist and adventurer who led expeditions across Mongolia in the early 20th century. While he never personally saw the creature, locals consistently warned of its lethal nature and described it with deep fear and reverence.
According to Mongolian nomads, the Death Worm is said to be between 2 and 5 feet long, with a thick, segmented body resembling an intestine. It lurks beneath the sands, waiting to strike, and can kill in multiple ways:
- Spitting deadly venom that corrodes flesh instantly.
- Electrocuting victims from a distance like an organic taser.
- Releasing a toxic yellow mist that poisons everything around it.
Stories tell of animals and even humans dying suddenly after encountering the creature, with bodies left horribly blistered and burned. These reports, combined with its reputed ability to move through the desert like a burrowing sand snake, have made it one of the most terrifying cryptids in the world.
Eyewitness Accounts and Expeditions
Many Mongolian nomads claim to have seen the Death Worm firsthand, often describing encounters that resulted in sudden livestock deaths or unexplained fatalities. While the creature is said to be rarely seen above ground, those who do witness it say it is capable of immense speed, lunging out of the sand like a snake before disappearing again in moments.
Since the late 20th century, several Western expeditions have been launched in search of the cryptid, including:
- Ivan Mackerle’s 1990 Expedition – Czech explorer Ivan Mackerle led one of the most detailed searches for the Mongolian Death Worm, using information from Mongolian locals to track sightings. He even attempted to lure it with vibrating devices and explosives, believing it might be sensitive to underground disturbances. Though he never found it, he remained convinced the legends were based on something real.
- Richard Freeman’s 2005 Cryptid Expedition – A British cryptozoologist, Freeman traveled to Mongolia with a team to investigate reports but also came up empty-handed. However, he speculated that the creature could be a species of burrowing reptile yet to be discovered.
- More Recent Investigations – In the modern era, scientists and skeptics have suggested that reported sightings may be misidentifications of snakes, lizards, or even large worms adapted to the extreme environment of the Gobi Desert.
Scientific Explanations: What Could the Mongolian Death Worm Be?
While the Mongolian Death Worm has never been scientifically verified, several theories attempt to explain what it could be:
1. A Misidentified Reptile
Some researchers believe the Death Worm may be a burrowing reptile, such as a sand boa or a skink, whose unusual movement and coloration have been exaggerated in folklore. In particular, worm lizards (Amphisbaenians) bear a striking resemblance to descriptions of the cryptid, with thick, limbless bodies and an ability to move under the sand.
2. A Giant Worm Species
While no worms matching the Death Worm’s description have been found in Mongolia, certain species of annelids and nematodes thrive in extreme conditions. Could the Mongolian Death Worm be a yet-undiscovered desert-adapted species with unique survival traits?
3. A Venomous or Electric Creature?
One of the most outlandish claims about the Mongolian Death Worm is that it can electrocute its prey. While no known worms have this ability, certain electric fish and eels use bioelectricity to stun their victims. If such an adaptation could be found in a burrowing species, it would be a groundbreaking discovery.
Similarly, many reptiles and insects produce venom that paralyzes or dissolves their prey. It’s possible that early accounts mistook a venomous snake or toxic amphibian for the Death Worm.
4. A Folklore-Based Fear of the Desert?
Some scientists argue that the Mongolian Death Worm is a cultural myth, born from fear of the vast and deadly desert environment. The Gobi Desert is an unforgiving place, and stories of deadly creatures lurking beneath the sand could serve as a cautionary tale to travelers and nomads.
The Death Worm in Popular Culture
Despite a lack of physical evidence, the Mongolian Death Worm has embedded itself deeply into pop culture. It has appeared in:
- Books & Documentaries – Numerous cryptid books feature it as one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries.
- Movies & TV Shows – Films like Tremors (1990) and episodes of Destination Truth and Lost Tapes have used the Death Worm as inspiration.
- Video Games – The creature has been featured in games like Final Fantasy and Red Dead Redemption, reinforcing its place in modern mythology.
Could the Mongolian Death Worm Be Real?
To this day, no scientific expedition has confirmed the Mongolian Death Worm’s existence. However, cryptozoologists argue that its remote habitat and elusive nature make it a prime candidate for an undiscovered species.
Whether it is a lost creature waiting to be found, a misidentified animal, or a legend built on fear, the Mongolian Death Worm continues to fascinate and terrify. Until conclusive evidence emerges, it will remain one of the world’s most compelling cryptid mysteries.