Identify this alien creature

April 11, 2010 9:30 AM

Hi everyone, What on earth is this worm-like creature that I found recently. I have never seen anything like this and would like to know more!
posted by SRMorris to Pets & Animals (14 answers total)

Best answer: I know this seems like a stupid question, but are you sure is it alive? It reminds me of one of these. If you google, there are similar with butterflies on them, which is frankly what it looks like to me.
posted by bunnycup at 9:33 AM on April 11, 2010

Best answer: Yeah, that looks like candy or a sticky toy.
posted by Jupiter Jones at 9:34 AM on April 11, 2010

Best answer: Thirding sticky toy.
posted by amro at 9:36 AM on April 11, 2010

Best answer: I screwed up my link: here are some sticky, worm-looking toys with butterflies on the end. Imagine them a bit grimy.
posted by bunnycup at 9:38 AM on April 11, 2010

Best answer: Yup, that's a toy. Notice the circular piece at the end. Same can be seen on the links bunnycup posted.
posted by Funky Claude at 9:48 AM on April 11, 2010

Ok, but how does one actually play with it? Do you really just throw it at the wall and take weird misguided pleasure at watching the butterfly worm slide down?

I'm kind of sad that this isn't an animal. And very baffled by it's use as a toy.
posted by iamkimiam at 9:55 AM on April 11, 2010 [1 favorite]

Yeah, think Indiana Jones whip. Twirl it around, fling it onto the refrigerator, and then wait a couple of seconds until it snaps back to your hand. Awesome!

For the advanced level, fling it onto the recessed 100W bulb in the kitchen. Ponder how to get it down with the broom, then lose interest and go watch Thundercats.

Explain what happened when you father asks you what in the holy hell is this melted puddle of red goo on the floor, and why is the smoke alarm going off?
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:11 AM on April 11, 2010 [16 favorites]

iamkimiam: You hold on to the long end and flick it to smack things with the butterfly end. You can make paper move, but mostly it's just smacking things. It is surprising how long one of those things can keep a child entertained. The ones my kids get usually have a hand on the end.
posted by TooFewShoes at 10:12 AM on April 11, 2010

FWIW, I found the most picture results by googling different variations of "sticky butterfly yoyo toy". So, apparently it is a yoyo. However, this also brought a rather different interpretation of "sticky" and "toy" and frankly even "butterfly" than I initially intended.
posted by bunnycup at 10:23 AM on April 11, 2010 [1 favorite]

I got good with them in high school. I'd use it to snatch people's pencils and stuff from across the room. Just like Indiana Jones.
posted by cmoj at 12:00 PM on April 11, 2010

Am I the only one that's really, really glad this turned out to be a toy and not a real creature? A worm with wings? Holy shit.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:27 PM on April 11, 2010 [6 favorites]

Yeah, I would have been pretty freaked out if I was unaware of the existence of sticky toys.
posted by rhizome at 1:23 PM on April 11, 2010

I am somewhat sad, but mostly relieved, that that was not a real animal.
posted by The otter lady at 5:40 PM on April 11, 2010

For the advanced level, fling it onto the recessed 100W bulb in the kitchen. Ponder how to get it down with the broom, then lose interest and go watch Thundercats.

Explain what happened when you father asks you what in the holy hell is this melted puddle of red goo on the floor, and why is the smoke alarm going off?

Heh, there is still a mark from one of these on the ceiling of my childhood bedroom.
posted by amro at 6:38 PM on April 11, 2010