The Mongolian death worm (Mongolian: олгой-хорхой, olgoi-khorkhoi, “large intestine worm”) is an alleged creature reported to exist in the Gobi Desert. It is generally considered a cryptid: an animal whose sightings and reports are disputed or unconfirmed.

It is described as a bright red worm with a wide body that is 2 to 5 feet (0.6 to 1.5 m) long.

The worm is the subject of a number of claims by Mongolian locals – such as the ability of the worm to spew forth an acid that, on contact, will turn anything it touches yellow and corroded (and which would kill a human), as well as its reported ability to kill at a distance by means of electric discharge.

What is interesting to me about this particular cryptid is that it actually isn’t that far-fetched (well, maybe the electrical discharge bit, but other than that…) Five foot worms are certainly known, and the behavior described, specifically the hibernation, is quite plausible.

Via Wikipedia.