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The Kraken
A beast so large it was mistaken for an island. Tentacles that could drag ships to their doom. Norwegian sailors feared the Kraken for centuries. Now we know—giant squid are real. But are they the whole story?
Ancient - Present
North Atlantic Ocean
1000+ witnesses
The Kraken is a legendary sea monster of enormous size said to have attacked ships off the coasts of Norway and Greenland.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The Kraken was:
- Enormous, mistaken for an island
- Capable of dragging ships underwater
- Having many arms or tentacles
- Creating dangerous whirlpools
- A terror to Scandinavian sailors
Historical Accounts
The Kraken appears in:
- Norse sagas
- Medieval bestiaries
- Scientific texts from the 1700s
- Sailors’ accounts for centuries
Scientific Connection
The Kraken may be based on:
- Giant squid (Architeuthis)
- Colossal squid
- These creatures are now scientifically confirmed
Giant Squid
We now know:
- Giant squid can reach 43 feet
- They have the largest eyes of any animal
- They were only filmed alive in 2004