Sandworms are fictional desert-dwelling creatures from Frank Herbert's science fiction series Dune. According to the Encyclopedia of Dune their scientific name is Geonemotodium arraknis (also Shaihuludata gigantica), among the Fremen of Arrakis (Dune) they are known as Shai-Hulud. The Fremen believe that the actions of the sandworms are the direct actions of God, and so the worms have been given numerous titles such as the Great Maker, the Worm who is God, Old Man of the Desert, Old Father Eternity, and Grandfather of the Desert. Shai' hulud is Arabic for "a thing of eternity."