Western scientists first referred to the Mongolian Death Worm in 1926, although the information had come from locals, not direct observation.

Reported to be between two and five feet long, the deep-red coloured worm is said to resemble the intestines of a cow and sprays a yellow acidic saliva substance at its victims, who if they’re unlucky enough to be within touching distance also receive an electric shock powerful enough to kill a camel… or them.

In 2005, a group of scientists spent a month searching for the worm, but all they got were more stories from people who swear the worm exists.

Lead researcher, Richard Freeman, said: “Every eyewitness account and story we have heard describes exactly the same thing: a red-brown worm-like snake, approximately two feet long and two inches thick with no discernable head or back (tail).”

Environmental Graffiti has more. Link -via Digg

(image credit: Owlman)

Instructables has step-by-step directions for making an origami cube from six New York City Metro cards -or any other type of cards you may have. It might not be all that useful, but it could be a fun project or a way to display souvenirs. If street vendors aren't already selling these to tourists, they will be soon. Link -via Geek Like Me

Mandy Sellars weighs 285 pounds, but the top half of her body only accounts for around 70 pounds of that. The rest is in her gigantic legs and feet. Sellars has Proteus syndrome, a rare condition in which parts of the body grow faster and larger than others. The most famous victim of Proteus syndrome was Joseph Merrick, also known as the Elephant Man.

"This is a very rare disorder. Certainly, less than one in a million," said Dr. John Graham, director of clinical genetics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. "Proteus syndrome is named for the Greek God who could change his form. And because it was such an apt description of how these individuals rapidly change form from appearing relatively normal as young children to this startling overgrowth, the name has remained with the disorder ever since then."

Sellars was born with a noticeable difference between her upper and lower body. As her body grew, her legs and feet grew twice as fast. No treatment could help.

Because her condition remained such a mystery, she often seemed to be on the edge of disaster. In college, she was once suddenly paralyzed because of a blood clot that required 10 weeks of hospitalization. When a plastic surgeon tried liposuction to reduce the bulk in her legs, more tissue grew back than had been removed.

"In my mind, the condition has a mind of its own," Sellars said, "because whatever you take away grows back bigger and bigger."

Link -Thanks, Cesar Partida!

(image credit: Caroline Borge/ABC News)

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This lizard does this every day and really seems to like it. Sometimes he gets thrown off and is right back up there again.

The Sabre Dance soundtrack makes it something special. -via Unique Daily

Chris saw this poster in a window on Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand yesterday morning. I have no doubts Murder Burger will fill all positions quickly, since this sounds like a really cool place to work! Link to Flickr page. Link to large version. -Thanks, Chris!

A transmitter tower is not, in itself, pretty. So phone companies put cell transmitters in existing structures, in natural heights such as trees, or build towers that look like something else. Weird News Files has a roundup of some places you never suspected a cell phone transmitter to be, such as this church tower. http://weirdnewsfiles.com/weird-photos/weird-stealth-cell-phone-towers-in-a-tree-near-you/ -Thanks, Drew Waters!

57-year-old Jim Litz was riding his bicycle to work in Missoula, Montana when he came over a rise and saw a 300-pound black bear right in front of him! He didn't even have time to brake, and ran right into the bear. The two tumbled over together before the bear ran away. The weight of the bear had cracked Litz' helmet, and he had claw scratches over his torso.

Litz's wife drove by soon after and took her husband to Community Medical Center, and he immediately called Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to report the unusual collision. Game wardens told him they didn't think the animal was seriously injured, but was more likely suffering from some bruised ribs - just like Litz.

Link -Thanks, chris tackett!

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This video takes the long way around to answer a simple question, but it's an enjoyable trip! -via Swiss Miss

Swedish artist Olle Hemmendorff (featured previously at Neatorama) didn't want wooden floors, but also didn't want to remove them, which would lower the value of the apartment. So he covered his kitchen floor with vinyl contact paper -and then drew wood on it! Notice he also has carpet on the counter. Link -via Dark Roasted Blend

Don't you just hate it when someone at work helps himself to your lunch? Here's the solution:

Anti-Theft Lunch Bags are regular sandwich bags that have green splotches printed on both sides. After your sandwich is placed inside, no one will want to touch it.

http://www.skforlee.com/independent_work/lunch_bag.html -via Lifehacker

I could survive for 1 minute, 6 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Created by Bunk Beds Pedia

How long could you survive chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor? It's a question I've pondered many times. Thanks to this 10 question quiz, I know that I would last one minute and six seconds. Link -Thanks, Sal Dev!

If you miss the TV show Arrested Development, you'll want to relive the memories with today's Lunchtime Quiz at mental_floss. The previous quiz on the show was so popular, part two is now up. http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/18401

You can't just import your normal sedan to get around in Antarctica. Special conditions call for special vehicles. Pro Vehicles has a roundup of the Top 13 Polar Super Vehicles from Antarctic. This picture shows a standard truck refitted with belts for covering snowy terrain. Vehicles made especially for the Antarctic look even weirder. Link -Thanks, Mads!

Steve Colligan plans to ride across the mountains of Nepal and Tibet on a unicycle!

On the 23rd September 2008 I fly to Nepal, then onto Tibet. I am going to ride my unicycle 1000km (620 miles) across the Roof of the World, from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. I will be using this ride to raise as much money as possible to help fund an NGO (non-governmental organisation) and its projects to improve the educational facilities and amenities in a remote village in the Himalayas.

The 47-year-old unicyclist has ridden all over the world, but never a path this difficult. The chosen route is one that mountain bikers consider an extreme adventure, but it's never been done on a unicycle. The average elevation of the route is 4,000 meters, and temperatures go down to 15 below zero (+5F). He will cross the north face of Mount Everest and stay over at the Everest Base Camp. The trip should take 25 days. The project is underwritten by a bicycle tour company. Donations will benefit the The Hilly Region Development Club. Link -Thanks, Plumsie!

What weighs 8,000 pounds, turns on a dime, and looks like an Egyptian pyramid? The Dream Car 123! It may look like a pyramid, but it's outfitted like a tank and lights up in neon colors at night. The best part is that it runs on electricity. 3.5 hour charge will take the Dream Car 240 miles at up to 40 mph. Inventor Greg Zanis has also designed a tower garage that harvests solar and wind power to recharge the vehicle! Link (with videos) -Thanks, Jon Jason!