Minhocão
There is something that the denizens of southern Brazil and Uruguay have been complaining about for decades: deep trenches that appeared out of nowhere, despite being the size of a river. What is behind these inexplicable tunnels? If you believe any of this at all the answer is the Minhocão.
Descriptions of the creature vary; for more see what it leaves behind than the creature itself. Some describe it as snake-like, others slug-like but either way it is a giant tubular creature with two horns on its head and a hardened snout. Reports of its size vary, but it’s typically described as being around 15 feet. Despite these descriptions, there haven’t been any notable sightings or a singular mass sighting of the Minhocão…ever.
But their destruction is usually witnessed - roads collapsing, trees being mowed down, even stories of cows being swallowed whole.
It lives below the surface, which some may say is the reason for the lack of sightings. When it reaches too close to the surface it leaves immense, destructive trenches in their wake. These trenches are usually reported occurring most commonly during the rainy season so it is believed this is their mating season, or at least the most active season. It is also believed they do not live under the earth full time and may actually reside more regularly in large bodies of water.
Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans, an accomplished cryptozoologist, considered the fact that perhaps the Minhocão was a strange, forgotten relative of the armadillo. Another common theory is that they are some sort of giant Caecilian. Caecilians are technically amphibians that are snake-shaped with either small eyes or no eyes They inhabit streambeds or moist soil and are rarely seen. They live largely in the tropics of South and Central America, Asia, and Africa and feed on other subterranean creatures, like earth worms. Some species even have scales!
Of course, others believe that the Minhocão are a good explanation for the destruction and sudden holes that appear and do not exist at all.
Thanks to VP for the blogstonishing suggestion!
The above image is not related directly to the story and depicts Afforestation in Uruguay by TF Geary. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
