Fleshdigger

Fleshdiggers are a type of hazardous worm, class 2u.

Location
These organisms have been reported in several locations, including inner Mongolia, the Congo, and the Middle East. Three hundred have been recorded in existence.

Physiology
Adult Fleshdiggers are 4m long and 40cm in thickness, with a tapering tail and many small hairs along their sides. They have wide, circular mouths with many inward-pointing teeth.

They have thick, leathery hides and no visible sensory apparatus. Their camouflage is sandy brown or dark red, getting darker as they age.

Parasitism
Fleshdiggers are adapted to parasitising large mammals. Adults give birth to several dozen offspring, which travel through sand or soil (only allowing them to live in certain habitats) until they find such prey.

Then, they begin to burrow into the creature's limb, and dig through the flesh to reach the animal's heart. Using hormones and by consuming materials, they motivate the body to be on constant search for food. They grow here for two years, reaching almost adult size and being so large they distend the host's stomach.

At this point, they tear out through the host's skin and attempt to get to a suitable habitat.

Management
To prevent Fleshdigger numbers from exceeding their current total, a biannual cull takes place, where hosts are poisoned or shot. Use of amnesiacs is recommended, and good explanations include wolf attacks or suicide.