Slate: Are Sandworms Of 'Dune' Really Worms?

Are the sandworms depicted in the science fiction blockbusters "Dune" and "Dune: Part II" really worms?

Slate spoke to a University of Cincinnati biologist to see if there are real biological analogies to the wormlike leviathans depicted in the Frank Herbert books and movies.

UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Bruce Jayne is an expert on snakes and the fascinating ways they move, swim and climb without benefit of limbs.

Professor Bruce C. Jayne, PhD assistant department head shown here with one of his snakes at his lab at Rievschl. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

UC Professor Bruce Jayne holds a vine snake in his biology lab. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC

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