Norse mythology, stemming from ancient Scandinavian cultures, is rich with various creatures, both fearsome giants as well as dwarves. Here are five animals closely associated with Norse mythology.
Fenrir is a monstrous wolf. As he grew, the gods became wary of his immense strength and bound him with a magical chain, Gleipnir, crafted by the dwarves.
Jormungandr is a giant sea serpent that encircles the world, grasping its own tail. It is fated to battle with Thor during Ragnarok, the ultimate destruction of the gods.
Sleipnir is the eight-legged horse ridden by the god Odin. It was born when Loki shape-shifted into a mare and mated with the stallion Svadilfari. Sleipnir is depicted as incredibly swift.
Huginn and Muninn are a pair of ravens that fly all over the world, delivering information to Odin, the Allfather. Their names translate to "thought" and "memory", respectively.
Nidhoggr is a dragon or serpent that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree. Nidhoggr represents chaos and destruction, and its actions contribute to the eventual downfall of the world during Ragnarok.