The Minhocão was described to European explorers and naturalists in the 19th century by locals in Brazil. French naturalist Augustin Saint-Hilaire described in December 1846 accounts of the Minhocão in the Padre Aranda and Feia lakes, with claims that they lived in the lakes and had "often drag horses and horned cattle under the water". He determined 'Minhocão' to be an augmentative of 'minhoca', Portuguese for earthworm.
The Minhocão was described to European explorers and naturalists by local Brazilians in the 19th century. French naturalist Augustin Saint-Hilaire documented accounts of the Minhocão in December 1846, specifically in the Padre Aranda and Feia lakes, where he claimed they inhabited the lakes and even dragged horses and horned cattle underwater.