Troll
facts
Origin and habitat
So far, the only real
information we have about trolls is what is shown
in the film. The film confirms some of the myths and legends we have
about trolls. Legend said that trolls were members of the ancient Jötunn race,
who originated from southern Norway in the mountain
range called Jötunnheimen
and that since then, they have spread all over Norway and reside in
mountainous and densely forested areas.
Image taken from
http://www.welt-atlas.de/map_of_south_norway_1-862
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This is confirmed
by the government troll
hunter, who tells us that the troll territories
include Jötunnheimen, Hardangervidda,
and Dovre
in the
south of
Norway (see
circled areas in map on left) and
Finnmarksvidden in the north
of Norway (see circled area in map
below).
Image taken from http://www.welt-atlas.de/map_of_north_norway_1-864
|
Life span
Trolls live for 1,000 -
1,200 years, so can be very old. The gestation
period for a troll
is 10-15 years and they usually have only one child.
Appearance
Generally,
the
Norwegian
trolls
resemble
giant
humans.
They
are
extremely
tall
and
their
bodies
are
covered
in
fur
and
tangled
matted
hair,
which
is
filled
with
burrs
and
twigs.
Often
they have exaggerated and deformed facial features such as
jutting lower jaws, protruding brows, long bulbous noses and can have
up to 3 heads. Trolls also have claws and fangs. Usually, they are
indistinguishable from the surrounding trees, rocks and thickets.
Their movement is quite slow and they signal their arrival with
snorts and grunts. They don't talk or wear clothes, unlike what some
legendary stories
claim.
Troll types
More
specifically,
there
are
two main types
of
trolls - mountain
trolls and forest trolls,
who
have
been
known
to
engage
in
stone-throwing
battles.
These
include
the
following
subtypes.
Dovregubben
Characteristics:
A mountain troll
of 50-100 metres in height.
Sighted: in caves
in Dovre.
|
Image
taken
from
http://www.trollhunterfilm.com/
Dovregubben troll
|
Tusseladd
Characteristics:
A forest troll who has
3 heads. Trolls are not born
with 3 heads, they develop later in life. Only the main head has eyes.
The other heads are not minds, only formations. They are apparently for
scaring off other trolls
or for impressing females.
Sighted: in the
Jötunnheimen area.
|
Image taken
from http://www.trollhunterfilm.com/
Tusseladd troll
|
The
other
subtypes
of
troll
are
called Raglefantene, Rimtusse and Harding. More information about
these will follow.
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