The tatzelwurm (“clawed worm”) is a creature of legend that is said to exist in the Alps.
I have no idea what is or what it might be.
My guess is that if it is real, it’s not a cat/snake chimera, for if this animal existed, it would be almost too freaky to live.
And I don’t think it would be an effective predator on something the size of a pig.
Obviously a remnant population of early caecilians.
I think it’s a giant ajolote in the Alps!
Must’ve been brought to the Alps by those Egyptian traders that went to Central America.
The term “wurm” was often used to refer to a dragon, so I suspect hat this is yet another dragon (or as the creationists would have it, dinosaur) myth.
You know, I learned that from Lair of the White Worm. I don’t think your average creationist would like that movie, though. Or maybe they’d like it *too* much.
;)
There’s a really good sci-fi novel that features genetically engineered cat-snake pets, but I can’t recall the name or author right offhand.
I believe the novel is “A World out of Time” by Larry Niven. Have to check that when I get home.