wormriding

Wormriding is the fictional or speculative practice of mounting giant worm-like creatures for travel or combat. It appears mainly in science fiction and fantasy, where worms are large enough to bear a rider and integrated into the ecology and culture of the setting. In the real world, wormriding is not a recognized activity, and practical or ethical concerns would apply if such creatures existed.

In Frank Herbert's Dune series, sandworm riding is a prominent desert mobility technique. Riders lure a sandworm to the surface using thumpers, attach themselves with specialized devices called maker hooks, and climb onto the worm’s crest. Steering relies on balance and the worm’s movement, effectively converting the creature into a mobile vehicle. The practice is dangerous and ritualized, reflecting a complex relationship between people and Arrakis’ ecology.

Beyond Dune, wormriding appears in various other works of fiction, tabletop role-playing games, and video games as a mount or transport option. Depictions range from lone, highly trained riders to organized units utilizing multiple worm mounts. In many settings, wormriding symbolizes mastery over a harsh environment and the tension between rider and terrain.

Ethical and practical considerations: as a narrative device, wormriding blends biology with storytelling. In real life, there are no established guidelines or programs for riding actual creatures, and animal-welfare concerns would be central if such beings existed.

See also: sandworms, Shai-Hulud, Dune, giant worms, mount in fantasy.