Scientists search for a 3-foot, spitting earthworm

A massive earthworm is terrifying folks in the Palouse region of the northwestern United States. OK, well maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but researchers are spending the summer seeking a mysterious, legendary 3-foot spitting worm in the rural areas from Washington to Idaho. From the Associated Press:

The worm is said to secrete a lily-like smell when handled, spit at predators, and live in burrows 15 feet deep. There have only been four sightings.

But scientists hope to change that this summer with researchers scouring the Palouse regoin in hopes of finally finding the giant earthworm. Conservationists also want the Obama administration to protect it as an endangered species, even though there is scant scientific information about its existence.

"It absolutely exists," insisted Jodi Johnson-Maynard, a University of Idaho professor who is leading the search for the worm.

Researchers looking for 3-foot, spitting worm under Northwest fields (Thanks, Bob Pescovitz!)

[wastrel July 13, 2009 8:47 AM]

The Mongolian death worm!

The Mongolian death worm has a reputation for being incredibly venomous and deadly. It supposedly kills camels and horses easily. It may be able to spray its venom, an ability that is found in some snakes native to environments other than Asia. It only comes above ground when it is rainy, which is only two months per year in the Gobi desert. Normally, the Mongolian death worm stays underground, out of sight.

http://www.newanimal.org/deathworm.htm

[Anonymous July 13, 2009 9:14 AM]

Chtorr! Chtorr!

[Trevel July 13, 2009 9:23 AM]

It's true! I fought them in both World of Warcraft AND Guild Wars!

[igpajo July 13, 2009 9:23 AM]

Sounds like Tremors!

[nyar July 13, 2009 9:28 AM]

Sounds like:

Now Carter knew from a certain source that he was in the vale of Pnath, where crawl and burrow the enormous bholes; but he did not know what to expect, because no one has ever seen a bhole, or even guessed what such a thing may be like. Bholes are known only by dim rumour from the rustling they make amongst mountains of bones and the slimy touch they have when they wriggle past one. They cannot be seen because they creep only in the dark.
—H. P. Lovecraft, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath.

[Snig July 13, 2009 9:40 AM]

"There's tons of files on that thing, Scully.
You've got to read these files."
"Mulder..."

[jjasper July 13, 2009 9:54 AM]

Cryptid worms FTW.

[Anonymous July 13, 2009 10:00 AM]

They better not be trying to divert funds from my jackelope habitation to pay for this. I got rare endangered needs too. That need money. No you cant have the proof first.

[k0an July 13, 2009 10:05 AM]

Please don't make me be the first one to make a rude comment about the name of this creature...

[glace neuf July 13, 2009 10:06 AM]

Tremors or Dune - either way, lots of fun!

[nyar July 13, 2009 10:10 AM]

@#7

You had to go there.... so go right ahead and rude comment away :-)

[Anonymous July 13, 2009 11:12 AM]

w00t! Think of the fish you could catch with 3-feet of worm!

[dafoink July 13, 2009 11:25 AM]

Shai-hulud!

[VICTOR JIMENEZ July 13, 2009 11:53 AM]

"It absolutely exists", maybe the best and more accurate scientific assertion ever.

[Talia July 13, 2009 11:59 AM]

I've got your three-foot spitting worm right here...

[RedShirt77 July 13, 2009 12:04 PM]

That's what she said...

[Red Leatherman July 13, 2009 12:54 PM]

I read about this in the news earlier, but when I read it here....
giant spitting earthworm....
I seem to hear it in Cartmans voice as he laffs.

[Phikus July 13, 2009 2:03 PM]

Anytime you rise, I'm here,
And I'm crazy for you pink thing.
You make me want to laugh,
You make me want to cry,
When I stroke your head I feel a hundred heartbeats high,
Pink thing.
I want to take you out and show you round the world,
Pink thing it'll be OK.
If I could only wake you from your slumber curled,
Pink thing what would straight folks say?
That man isn't fit to enter heaven.
That man is a sinner,
Ever burning in disgrace.
Pink thing, spit in my face,
I'd love you for it.
Anytime you call, I'll fall,
Into madness for you pink thing.
You make me want to live.
You make me want to die.
And when I stroke your head I feel a hundred heartbeats high,
Pink thing.
I want to take you out and show you to the girls,
Pink thing they're a whole new tribe.
If you could only see the way the way the gingham swirls,
Pink thing it's a whole new vibe.
That man isn't fit to be a father.
That man is a sinner,
'Fore they cast me down to die,
Pink thing, spit in my eye,
I'd love you for it.
Yes, I'd love you for it.
Anytime you rise, I'm here,
And I'm crazy for you pink thing.
You make me want to laugh,
You make me want to cry,
When I stroke your head I feel a hundred heartbeats high,
Pink thing.
Hundred heartbeats high,
Pink thing.
Hundred heartbeats high.
I want to introduce you,
Take you to the brink thing.
I want to introduce you,
Tell me what you think thing. I want to introduce you,
Make that missing link thing.
Don't you think it's time you met some female pink thing?
You make me want to laugh,
You make me want to cry,
So why is it I'm happy when there's tears down in your eye?
Little pink thing.

[Phikus July 13, 2009 2:05 PM]

Maybe they should check the Independent Worm Saloon..?

[Anonymous July 13, 2009 7:09 PM]

its been found already! the palouse worm is on the critically endangered list of animals which means that it has stopped construction in a couple of places. The trick will be trying to find the worm on the plot where they want to build the Super Wall-mart in Pullman, WA. A victory for everyone.

[ndollak July 13, 2009 9:54 PM]

Set up some thumpers to attract the worm. Have a pair of maker-hooks ready. Let's ride!

[jphilby July 13, 2009 11:43 PM]

Ha ha, goodone. Tremors is one of the funniest movies of its era.

Those were like *30* feet long, so a 3-footer should be easy prey for any of the extinction methods from the movie.