Classification: Mythical Beasts & Cryptids

Temporal Range: 9th Century but possibly earlier

Geographic Range: Circling the oceans around Midgard

Diet: Its own tail

Horde: Nordic

Jörmungandr is another of the god, Loki, and the jötunn, Angrboða’s three children, although this one is large. Very, very large. This giant serpent was thrown by Odin into the seas around Midgard, where it circles the world. When it grew to full size, it was so large that it bit its own tail and now continues to surround Midgard (our realm) like a giant ouroboros.

Like Loki’s other two children, Jörmungandr is also part of the story of Ragnarök. It’s said that if Jörmungandr ever released its grip on its tail and broke its own loop of the world, this would be one of the first signs of Ragnarök.

Jörmungandr is said to have some serious beef with Thor and the two are archenemies. After Thor tried to kill him twice, it’s said that when Ragnarök, each one will kill the other - Thor finally crushing Jörmungandr with his hammer and Jörmungandr poisoning Thor and finishing him off for good.