The Nandi bear, named after the Nandi people
of Kenya, is said to be a ferocious creature that
gobbles up its victim’s brains, ignoring the rest
of the body. However, bears became extinct in
Africa long ago. So who is this mind-munching
monster? Some scientists speculate that it is a
chalicotherium—a gorilla-like mammal with huge
claws. Others think it’s an oversized hyena.
Mongolian death worm
Habitat: Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Almost 5 ft 6 in (1.7 m) long and as
thick as a human arm, this incredibly
unpleasant wormlike creature lives in
the desert sands. Its Mongolian name,
Allghoi khorkhoi, means “blood-filled
intestine worm” because it resembles
the bloody guts of a slaughtered cow.
If its looks alone don’t put you off,
try this: Mongolians insist that the
worm spews out an acidic spray that
can kill in an instant. If that doesn’t
work, it can zap you with