Surprisingly, the film’s sandworms are “close enough to something we understand on Earth,” according to biologist Michael Werner (via Popular Science). From the way they sense rhythmic patterns to the filtration systems in their mouths and their narcotic-like secretions, sandworms have several similarities to various reptiles. (Still, their size would be untenable!)
Sure, some of the sandworms’ most curious aspects have stranger explanations. How do creatures this huge feed themselves? Well, they gulps of sand and any potential nutrients within their wake. As for water, it’s outright fatal to them, so it’s clear that Earth could never be their home. But let’s not forget that the genre is called science fiction for a reason. “Dune – Part Two” utilizes its seemingly predatory sandworm scenes amazingly. Even though Neil deGrasse Tyson pointed out inaccuracies about how they move, the creatures here are still cool enough to justify a little suspension of disbelief. Besides, the real meaning of sandworms in “Dune” is so complex that it’s perfectly understandable Frank Herbert chose to risk biological accuracy for a thrilling twist.
