You're looking at what must have been Frank Herbert's inspiration behind Dune.Behold the Atlantic sandworm (Eulalia viridis). This creature is commonly found burrowing in the mud at low tide along the New England coastline. Herbie, the photographer and Mighty Worm Hunter (Paul Atreides would be so proud), has found specimens as large as 10". He says they make for good fish bait. And Herbie knows his fishing (that's a hint at "stay tuned for more...").
Check out those pincers (which aren't even fully extended) and think twice the next time you take off your sandals to enjoy a barefoot stroll down the shores of Cape Cod or Rhode Island.
Thanks for the photos, Herbie.
Congratulations! After so many interesting, unusual, and yes, even cute pictures, you have finally found something truly ugly. (Is that guy in the bottom photo smiling?)
ReplyDeletethe puffed-out eyes and the squished in mouth are so very creepy. and its crazy little arm-nubs...oh man.
ReplyDeleteUck... I'm not sure I'd wanna eat something that ate those... It'd have to be mighty fine fish, indeed.
ReplyDeleteAlso the stars of Squirm, which unfortunately gave 'em vocal chords and depicted 'em as piranha-like flesh-eaters. (Download the MST3K version.)
ReplyDeleteEspecially in that last pic, this thing looks like what I'd imagine a p*nis would look like in a Troma or post-nuclear war zombie movie. Suhdder enducing.....
ReplyDeleteSee, now I think it's kind of cute, in a squishy, gooey, goofy-looking sort of way. Well, except for those rather *metallic*-looking pincers... Those are just wicked.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so happy on the last picture.
ReplyDeleteOooh! A polychaete worm! I got some up close and personal time with one of these and a dissecting scope once... they'd make some really sweet Sea Monster designs, just by increasing their size.
ReplyDeleteJust...Wow!
ReplyDeleteI didn´t know about those....
And Eulalia...this sounds quite like the name of some eldery lady
Keep em coming, Herbie!
We call that one Muad'Dib.
ReplyDeletereminds me of a taxxon, if anyone has ever read the andalite chronicles, or the animorphs series. totally mini-taxxon. its even worse that you can see his little face. Ew!
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of the babelfish form Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute! <3
ReplyDelete