Some facts
about
the Mjoes Orm

This is what I know so far about the animal in the dark depths of my lake, an animal that rarely presents itself in the surface. The knowledge about these animals shows great similarities with other unknown Norwegian lake creatures in other lakes, the animal of Seljord Lake, as well as Loch Ness, - and also creatures from numerous coasts and fjords in other parts of the world.

Body length:
1522: The Mjoes Orm at Hamar: .............................................................................. "enormous length"
1610 - Orms: Rev. Michael Andersen Aalborg. 20 - 30 "favner" x 1,88 m = .........................37 - 56 m
1613: Olaus Magnus: 50 "alen" x 0,63 m = ................................................................. ca 31,5 m
1770: Peder Arnesen Lie ........................................................................... 20 m
1960: Bj. Bergersen, in the Nes Sound ....................................................... 20 m
1980: Karen Marie Aanum, at Ørbekk .......................................... 10 m
1969: Four men at Strandlykkja ............................................ 8 - 10 m
1769: Nils Andersen Gjestvangeie, 7 - 8 "alen" .......... 4 ½ m

Body width: The small animal of 1769 measured 0,50 m across, but most stories tell about animals of 1m. One recent sighting says 2 - 3 m, concerning the 30 m long animal that dived in front of the pilot (so far an unsubstantiated sighting).

Colour: Mostly black or dark.

Head: Looking like that of a horse, eyes the size of horse´s eyes (the small animal of 1769). The size also corresponds to that of a horse´s head.

Neck: In two cases a mane has been seen. 1522, a black mane. Actually three, in an unsubstanciated story of a trapped animal.

Humps: Humps were seen in several sightings. Also seen up close, forming just before the animal dived.

Swimming mode: It has been seen making wriggling movements, but far too few have commented on swimming movements. It has been observed swimming really fast in surface position. It also swims fast just below the surface, causing people to notice the peculiar bow waves thus created.

Basking: A couple of times it has been seen basking in the surface, often for a long time.

Surfacing: Rarely. Seems to go very close to the surface at times.

Agressivity: It has neven been witnessed.

Curiosity: Curiosity towards the relatively quiet rowing boats have occurred.  

Shooting/firing: Has been shot at least three times, one with a fatal result, in 1522.

Land observations: To my knowledge, three times. 

Sightings: For some reasons most sightings are occuring in the southern and middle part of the lake.

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