Jazirah al-Tennyn



Jazirah al-Tennyn or Sea Serpent Island is a mythical island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is associated with Alexander the Great and it is guarded by sea serpents/dragons. It is possibly a reference to Socotra Island of Yemen. On the island also lives the Al'Mihraj, a one-horned rabbit-like creature (similar to a unicorn or jackalope).

The island's description by Zakariya al-Qazwini in The Wonders of Creation (عجائب المخلوقات وغرائب الموجودات‎), circa mid-1200s:

"“It is a large inhabited island, in which there are many mountains and trees. They relate, that there was once a dragon in it, during the reign of Alexander; and the inhabitants of this island came to him, and complained that the dragon was destroying all their cattle; and that it was necessary to furnish him every day with two oxen, which they had to place where the dragon might get them, and devour them; for, if the oxen were not furnished as usual, the monster was furious, and fire flashed from his eyes and from his mouth, and he destroyed every thing that came in his way. Alexander advised them to take two ox skins, and fill them with Sulphur, quick-lime, and similar substances, and also put into them iron hooks, and stuff them up like oxen. When the dragon came and laid hold of them, the hooks fixed in his bowels, and he died in consequence. When the people perceived that he was dead, they gave vent to joy.”"