That’s exactly what I experienced. My first reaction was fear and misunderstanding. I thought I found a giant larva or a strange animal. Intrigued and a little worried, I decided to do some research to understand what it was.
The answer surprised me.
It was not an animal, but a very special fungus
The mysterious “creature” was actually a mushroom called Anthurus archeri, better known as the devil’s fingers. Nothing the name can impress, and its appearance does nothing.
This fungus is native to Australia and Tasmania, but it has gradually spread to several regions of the world. Today, it can be found in Europe, especially in wet and wooded areas.
What makes it so impressive is its shape: it looks like red fingers or small tentacles coming out of the ground, often covered with a viscous substance.
