20 February 2024 , 11:33
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Do you know what's really lurking in your drains? You might not want to find out.
A homeowner has gone viral after sharing a video showing what was living down the plughole - and it's utterly horrifying.
A blob-like mass can be seen moving about, complete with tiny tentacles. And what makes it worse is the fact you probably have one living in your drains too.
Reddit users were quick to identify to alien-like clump, with one person writing: "Looks similar to a colony of tubifex worms. Creepy looking but not too uncommon apparently."
Tubifex worms, also known as sludge worms, have segmented, earthworm-like bodies and lack legs, head, and readily seen mouthparts. They have small bristles and move like earthworms, by stretching and pulling.
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They usually inhabit the sediments of lakes, rivers and occasionally sewer lines and are known to congregate in pipelines to feed on the bacteria that gathers there. The worms are usually discovered in groups, typically all balled up into one writhing mass - just like the one caught on the Reddit video.
Thankfully, they are completely harmless to humans - but that hasn't stopped people reacting in horror to their discovery. "I am going to go on living thinking this is incredibly uncommon, thanks," one person commented. A second echoed: "Yeah, it's best for my mental health to just believe this is a rare creature that can't possibly live where I do."
A third person wrote: "Looks like a legit horror alien." A fourth simply stated: "No, I don't think I will look at that." And a fifth admitted: "Hey man this is the worst thing I've ever seen on Reddit gee thanks…"
Last year, TikTok users were seriously freaked out when a video of a bizarre creature in western Australia was shared online. In the 10-second clip, something that resembles a cross between a scorpion and a giant insect is seen whipping around a tail.
The thin, intimidating animal stands on spindly legs and also appears to have wings. One TikTok user said: "I'm pretty sure that's one of the bugs they fought in Starship Troopers." A second remarked: "Reminds me of the evil vine monster in Jumanji."
Some people admitted they were put off from ever travelling to Australia after seeing the video. However, many users were curious to know exactly what it was.
Western Australian Museum's Curator of Entomology Nikolai Tatarnic provided the answer. He told news.com.au : "This is a walking stick insect, in the family of the Phasmatidae [family of stick insects]". Nikolai also added they are herbivores and are not venomous and are common across Australia but rarely seen due to their camouflage.