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EspañolMINOR HARRY POTTER BEASTS
The following are minor magical beasts from the ''Harry Potter'' fantasy series by J. K. Rowling. They appear either in the ''Harry Potter'' novels or the spin-off book ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them''. These beasts are those that have been specifically invented by J. K. Rowling; many other beasts in Harry Potter are also common in folklore and myth, or, in the case of the diricawl, actual zoology (Dragons and winged horses are also common in folklore and myth, but the specific breeds mentioned in the ''Harry Potter'' series are Rowling's own creations). For a list of those creatures see Mythical creatures in Harry Potter. For a complete list of all Harry Potter beasts see Magical beasts (Harry Potter).
Acromantula
'Acromantula' are massive venomous spiders. They are covered in thick black hair and have legspans of up to fifteen feet (4.5m), as well as giant pincers. Acromantula are native to uncharted rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly Borneo. The name is assumed to be a portmanteau of "macro" (large) and "tarantula", although slightly scrambled.
A tribe of Acromantula, particularly their leader Aragog, is encountered in ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'' by Harry and his friend Ron Weasley in the Forbidden Forest. They are carnivores which prefer large prey. Their webs are large and dome-shaped. The female, which is bigger than the male (as in most spiders), may lay up to one hundred soft, wide, beach ball-sized eggs at a time, which hatch in six to eight weeks. The Ministry of Magic has imposed severe penalties for the trade of these eggs. Horace Slughorn explains to Harry that the venom of the Acromantula is very valuable.
Acromantula are believed to be wizard-bred, possibly to guard dwellings or treasure, and are therefore possessed of the power of human speech and human intelligence. Being wizard-bred, they are an example of why the Ban on Experimental Breeding was created. With this, it is also their tradition to feast upon their dead, as they were going to do to Aragog. They are, however, totally untrainable and gain a XXXXX Ministry of Magic rating (wishfully amended to fourteen Xs by Ron Weasley). Only Rubeus Hagrid has had any success with one of them, as he befriended Aragog when it was at a very young age. Aragog's children, however, are quite wild and only refrained from eating Hagrid due to Aragog's command. After their father's death they felt quite free to attack his old friend.
Acromantulas were used in The Battle of Hogwarts on neither the Hogwarts nor the Voldemort sides, though they appeared to cause far more casualties to the Hogwart supporters.
The Basilisk is the mortal enemy of the Acromantula, as it is of all spiders. (This fact is based on the Ancient Greek belief that a man can keep spiders out of his home by hanging the body of a Basilisk in his house.)
See also Spiders in culture
Augurey
The 'Augurey', also known as Irish Phoenix, is described as looking like a small and underfed vulture. It is greenish black in colour and are found in Britain and Ireland and sometimes Northern Europe. It lives in a tear-shaped nest that is usually found in a bramble and thorn patch and it usually only leaves its nest in heavy rain, to feed. Augureys were once thought to foretell death with their low wailing cry (more than one wizard has suffered a heart attack when passing a bush and hearing an unseen Augurey wail). In recent times it has been revealed that Augurey cries usually foretell bad weather and have since been used as household pets, although their almost continuous wailing during the winter months can be hard to bear. An Augurey's feathers cannot be used for quills as they have the uncanny ability to repel ink.
Billywig
A 'Billywig' is a vividly-coloured insect native to Australia. About half an inch in size, a Billywig is sapphire blue and can fly at great speed by rotating the wings attached atop its head. At the end of its body it has a long, thin stinger, which has been known to cause extreme giddiness and levitation in humans. Too many stings have also been known to cause uncontrollable flight which can last for days. In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction can occur, which causes permanent hovering. Dried Billywig stingers are used in many potions and are said to be the secret ingredient in Fizzing Whizbees
Blast-Ended Skrewt
A 'Blast-Ended Skrewt' is a creature that Rubeus Hagrid, in his capacity as the Care of Magical Creatures professor at Hogwarts, introduces to classes during Harry's fourth year. ''The Daily Prophet'' journalist Rita Skeeter reports that they are a crossbreed of a Manticore and a Fire Crab, although her stories are not at all reliable (she refers to the Skrewts as "Bang-Ended Scoots" when interviewing Hagrid).
A Blast-Ended Skrewt from the ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' video game.
Upon their birth, Skrewts are described as looking like shell-less lobsters, pale and slimy on the surface. They have no identifiable head. Upon hatching they measure six inches (15 cm) and smell of rotting fish. Blast-Ended Skrewts have a natural mechanism to emit a strong spark from one end (hence their name), and the blast is typically strong enough to move them several inches. The spark occasionally causes surface burns to anything in contact with the beast. The males also sport a stinger at the other end and the females, although missing the stinger, have a sucker for blood on the underside. Skrewts do not hibernate.
At two months old and measuring a metre in length, Skrewts develop a thick, grey, shiny armour — described as looking like a cross between a scorpion and an elongated crab. At this stage the Skrewts begin to display their aggressive tendencies between each other — often killing one another. Though aggressive, the males may be controlled by fastening ropes around their stingers. After another month they measures 2 metres in length.
A Blast-Ended Skrewt was used as an obstacle in the maze during the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament. At this point, over nine months since birth, the beast is 3.5 metres in length and the male's stinger now extends over its back. The shell is resistant to most spells, though the fleshy underbelly is still vulnerable.
Bowtruckle
'Bowtruckles' are small, wooden tree guardians that live only in trees that are used in the making of magic wands. Only about eight inches tall, they are found in the West of England, Southern Germany and some forests in Scandinavia. They feed on woodlice and fairy eggs. Though shy and generally peaceful, Bowtruckles have long, sharp fingers that can scratch and gouge out eyes if they feel their trees are threatened. Tree cutters often get attacked, but an offering of woodlice normally keeps the Bowtruckle at bay long enough to harvest wand wood.
Bundimun
'Bundimuns' are walking fungal creatures whose secretions rot the foundations of houses. Described as looking like green fungus with eyes when at rest, Bundimuns have many spindly legs for scuttling away on. Bundimuns are found worldwide and are skilled at creeping amongst floorboards and skirting boards. They feed on dirt and reek of decay but their diluted secretions can be used in the manufacture of cleaning fluid. Bundimuns can be combated easily with a Scouring Charm, unless they have grown too large, at which point it is recommended that the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures be contacted.
Chizpurfle
A 'Chizpurfle' is a tiny, mite-like creature that feeds on both magic and electricity. About a twentieth of an inch high, Chizpurfles are crab-like and have large fangs. They may infest Augureys and Crups, much like fleas. They are not much of a danger unless gorged on magic — by gnawing to the core of a magic wand or feasting on potion residue found in dirty cauldrons. Chizpurfles mystify Muggles by creating otherwise inexplicable shorts in electrical equipment.
Clabbert
An amphibian, horned monkey-like creature, 'Clabberts' are native to the Southern United States. They live in trees and feed mostly on lizards and birds. Clabberts are described as being hairless, with smooth, mottled green skin, webbed hands and feet, and long limbs that are good for climbing and swinging. The Clabbert possesses a pustule in the middle of its forehead that glows red and flashes in the presence of danger.
Clabberts are responsible for the puzzlement of Muggles — when a Muggle sees a tree full of glowing pustules, they often mistake it for their neighbours having their Christmas lights on in June.
Crup
Originating from South East England, 'Crups' look much like Jack Russell Terriers except that they have a forked tail. They will eat almost anything, even old tires. Crups are loyal and friendly to wizards and witches but ferocious toward Muggles. As such, owners must pass a test that determines if they are capable of controlling their animal in Muggle areas. Once the test has been passed, a Crup license is granted. Crups also must have their forked tail removed by a painless Severing Charm at around six to eight weeks old, to prevent Muggles noticing the suspicious trait.
Demiguise
A 'Demiguise' is a silvery, solitary ape-like creature capable of invisibility. Its long, fine, silky fur is often used in the manufacture of Invisibility Cloaks. The Demiguise's large, black eyes are usually hidden behind its hair. They are peaceful creatures who eat only plants and are found in the Far East.
Doxy
The 'Doxy', also known as a Biting Fairy, is often mistaken for a fairy though it is a separate species. Like the fairy, the Doxy has a form resembling that of a miniature human being. However, unlike the fairy, the Doxy is completely covered in thick, black hair. Doxies have beetle-like wings and an extra pair of arms and legs. They can lay up to five hundred eggs at once, which hatch in two or three weeks' time. They have double rows of sharp teeth that are venomous enough that an antidote is recommended for anyone bitten by one. Doxies are found throughout Northern Europe and North America, as they prefer colder climates to warmer ones.
Doxies are mentioned several times during the early chapters of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'' as there is an infestation of them in some curtains at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Molly Weasley, along with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Fred and George had to spray the pests with Doxycide (a kind of pesticide intended for Doxies), though Fred and George pocketed a few, so they could experiment with Doxy venom for their Skiving Snackboxes.
Apparently, eating their eggs is not instantly dangerous, but certainly makes one sick because in ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'', Cormac McLaggen mentioned that he had once been sick in the hospital wing at Hogwarts due to eating "a pound" of Doxy eggs in a bet.
"Doxy" is also a rather unflattering word for a woman who, quoting the Oxford English Dictionary, "cohabits with important men."
Dragons
There are ten known breeds of dragons found in the ''Harry Potter'' universe. In all breeds, the female is usually larger and more aggressive than the male. Many parts of the dragon are powerfully magical, including the hide, blood, heart, liver and horn. Dragon eggs are defined as a Class A Non-Tradeable Good by the Ministry of Magic.
Antipodean Opaleye
The 'Antipodean Opaleye' is considered by wizards worldwide to be one of the most beautiful species of dragon. They are found in New Zealand but are known to migrate to Australia when territory is scarce. It weighs between two and three tons and its flames are bright scarlet. Described as having iridescent, pearly scales and multi-coloured pupil-less eyes, the Opaleye never kills humans, its favourite food being sheep. Its eggs are pale grey and may be mistaken for fossils by Muggles. A series of kangaroo killings in the 1970s were attributed to a male Opaleye ousted by a dominant female.
Chinese Fireball
Also known as the Liondragon, the 'Chinese Fireball' is the only Oriental dragon and has a noticeably striking appearance. Scarlet and smooth scaled, it has a fringe of golden spikes around a snub-snouted face and prominent eyes. Gaining its name for the mushroom-shaped flames that burst from its nostrils when it gets angry, the Fireball weighs between two and four tons. Its eggs are vivid crimson speckled with gold, and the shells are much prized for use in Chinese Wizardry. The Fireball is aggressive but more tolerant of its own species than most dragons are, sometimes consenting to share its territory with up to two others. It will feast on most mammals but seems to prefer pigs and humans (this, of course, contradicts the Chinese dragon myths, in which they are usually benevolent to people and are aligned with water as opposed to fire).
In ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'', Viktor Krum had to get past one of these in order to complete the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, which he did by using the Conjunctivitus Curse. It is the second most dangerous dragon in the Triwizard Tournament, after the Hungarian Horntail.
Common Welsh Green
The Common Welsh Green as seen in ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire''.
The 'Common Welsh Green' dragon is found almost exclusively on a reservation in the mountains of Wales, where it preys on sheep and avoids humans. It has a notably melodious roar and its flames are emitted from its nose in thin jets. The eggs of the Welsh Green are brown with green specks.
In 1932, a Welsh Green flew over a beach of sunbathing Muggles. This has become known as the Ilfracrombe Incident. Fatalities were prevented because of the efforts of a wizarding family that happened to be on holiday at the time. These wizards subsequently performed one of the biggest batches of Memory Charms in a century on the terrified Muggles. This action was necessary to uphold Clause 73 of the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy, which states that if any magical creature is noticed by Muggles in a particular country, then the Ministry of Magic in that country, and any wizards involved, will be subject to discipline by the International Confederation of Wizards. However, as reported in the 1972 book ''Muggles Who Notice'' by Blenheim Stalk, there was one Muggle who escaped the Memory Charms: "''To this day, a Muggle bearing the nickname 'Dodgy Dirk' holds forth in bars along the south coast on the subject of a 'dirty great flying lizard' that punctured his lilo''."
In ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'', Fleur Delacour was required to get past a female Common Welsh Green and retrieve a golden egg from her nest, in order to complete the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament. Fleur put the dragon into a bewitched sleep, but as she went for the egg, her skirt was set ablaze when the dragon suddenly snored. She put her robes out with water from her wand but lost points.
Hebridean Black
A dangerous British dragon with rough scales, the 'Hebridean Black' is known to be quite violent — so much so that it reportedly requires an area of a hundred square miles as territory. It has bright purple eyes and a line of small but razor-sharp ridges all down its back. Its tail ends in an arrow-shaped spike and its wings are described as "bat-like." The wizarding clan of MacFusty has been living in the Hebrides for centuries and is traditionally responsible for the dragons.
Hungarian Horntail
The Hungarian Horntail in the ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' film.
The most dangerous of all dragons, the 'Hungarian Horntail' feeds on humans whenever possible (otherwise it settles for goats and sheep). It has black scales and is lizard-like in appearance with yellow eyes and bronze horns. The fire-breathing range of the Hungarian Horntail can reach up to fifty feet (15 m) and its tail is lined with spikes which it uses to attack prey and defend its young. The shells of its eggs are particularly hard and are cement-coloured. The fourth movie shows that it can breathe out two jets of fire, which combine into one very large and very lethal stream.
In ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'', Harry Potter had to get past one of these in order to complete the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament.
Norwegian Ridgeback
The 'Norwegian Ridgeback', in the form of Norberta (Norbert), was the first dragon encountered by Harry Potter during his time at Hogwarts. The book ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' notes several facts about this species, including the prominent jet-black ridges on its back (hence the name), the fact that, unusually for dragons, the species preys on water-dwelling creatures (as well as most large land animals), and the fact that this particular species develops its fire-breathing abilities at the age of 1 to 3 months, which is earlier than other species of dragon. It is also a rarer breed of dragon and is especially aggressive towards its own kind. The eggs of the Norwegian Ridgeback are black and, as demonstrated by Hagrid in HP1, can be placed in the center of a fire to hatch. The name ' Norwegian Ridgeback ' most likely was copied off of the ' Rhodesian Ridgeback ' a well loved breed of dog.
Peruvian Vipertooth
The 'Peruvian Vipertooth' is a small (about fifteen foot long) and swift dragon with copper-coloured skin and smooth scales. The dragon has short horns and venomous fangs. It enjoys preying on humans to the point that the International Confederation of Wizards had to order a mandatory cull of these dragons to lower their exploding numbers. Besides humans, the Vipertooth will also eat goats and cows. According to J. K. Rowling's website, the first Peruvian Vipertooth was caught by Harvey Ridgebit, a famous Dragonologist.
Romanian Longhorn
The 'Romanian Longhorn' dragon has dark green scales and long, golden horns. The species' traditional breeding ground in Romania is now a major dragon reservation for all breeds. The Romanian Longhorn is endangered due to the demand for its horns (when powdered they are a prized potions ingredient) and is the focus of an intense breeding programme while its horns are now defined as a Class B Non-Tradeable Material. They eat goats, cattle and sheep, usually by roasting its prey while on its horns.
Swedish Short-Snout
The 'Swedish Short-Snout' is a beautiful silvery-blue dragon whose brilliant blue flames are so powerful that they can reduce materials like timber and bone to ash in seconds. The Short-Snout enjoys living in uninhabited mountainous areas and because of this, has killed fewer humans than most other dragons. The skin of the Swedish Short-Snout is sought after for its use in protective gloves and shields.
In ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'', Cedric Diggory had to get past one of these in order to complete the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament. He transfigured a rock into a labrador to distract it. Though the dragon lost interest in it while Cedric was halfway to the eggs and attacked him, Cedric still managed to complete the First Task.
The annual broom race in Sweden runs through a Short Snout reservation and the vast silver trophy presented to the winner of the race is shaped like the Short Snout.
Ukrainian Ironbelly
The 'Ukrainian Ironbelly' is the largest of all dragon breeds — the average weight of one is six tons. Though slow, it is still very dangerous. One of the most common risks associated with the Ukrainian Ironbelly is its ability to land on dwellings and crush them. Its skin is a metallic grey, its eyes a deep red, and its talons are long and notably vicious. In 1799, one picked up an entire sailing boat from the Black Sea.
Dugbog
An amphibious creature, the 'Dugbog' resembles a log and eats Mandrakes (and small animals). It is found in the marshlands of Europe, North America and South America and has finned paws and sharp teeth. Humans should be careful when walking in Dugbog territory — they can do severe damage to ankles.
Ron Weasley accidentally wrote Dugbog instead of dementors. he used a spelling quill that lost its charm.
Erkling
Elf-like in appearance with a pointed face and about three feet in height, the 'Erkling' is dangerous to children, whom it will try to lure away with its high-pitched cackle and eat. Originally from the Black Forest in Germany, the German Ministry of Magic has put into place strict controls to put a stop to Erkling killings. The last known attack was on Bruno Schmidt, age six, who killed the Erkling by hitting it over the head with his father's collapsible cauldron.
The name is probably a play on Erlking, an elfish creature in Germanic folklore.
Erumpent
A grey, rhinoceros-like beast of Africa, the horn of the 'Erumpent' contains a violently explosive fluid. Anything touched by that fluid will explode, including other Erumpents, a fact which renders this species quite rare. Erumpents possess a thick, charm-repellent hide and a long tail, rope-like in appearance. Female Erumpents give birth to one calf at a time and the Erumpent's horn, tail and fluid are used as potion ingredients, though they are defined as a Class B Tradeable Material — Dangerous and Subject to Strict Controls. Like rhinoceroses they will not attack unless sorely provoked.
Fire Crab
The name of the 'Fire Crab' is deceptive — they actually resemble giant tortoises with jewel-encrusted shells. When threatened, a Fire Crab will expel a stream of flame from its posterior.
Strictly protected by magical law, Fire Crabs live on certain beaches in Fiji, which are shielded with various forms of Muggle-Repelling Charms. This is to prevent greedy Muggles and unscrupulous wizards from stealing the Crabs so as to remove its jewels. The shell is also prized by wizards for magical cauldrons. Crossbreeding a Fire Crab with a Manticore is rumoured to create an ugly, vicious monster called a Blast-Ended Skrewt.
Flobberworm
A 'Flobberworm' is an extremely dull creature, thick, brown, slimy, of up to 10 inches (25 cm) long. One end of the Flobberworm looks identical to the other, and both ends secrete mucus, which is sometimes used to thicken potions. Flobberworms have been known to eat lettuce although they will eat seemingly any vegetation, and usually live in damp ditches.
Flobberworms were given one X by the Ministry of Magic in the book ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'', which classifies them as 'boring'. According to one tale told by Draco Malfoy, his friend Vincent Crabbe, received a bad bite from a Flobberworm; Harry Potter's response was to call it rubbish, pointing out that Flobberworms "haven't even got teeth!"
When Rubeus Hagrid, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts, loses heart after his first lesson ends in the injury of a careless student (Malfoy), he teaches his class about Flobberworms. During such a class, Ronald Weasley remarks "Why would anyone even ''bother'' looking after them?" Later, Harry muses that the end-of-term exam of caring for Flobberworms was easy, as they thrive when left to their own devices.
Fwooper
The 'Fwooper' is an African bird with orange, pink, lime or yellow plumage. Fwooper feathers are the source of many fancy quills, and their multicoloured and patterned eggs are highly prized. Ownership of Fwoopers is strictly regulated — every Fwooper owner must have a license and no Fwooper can be sold without first having a Silencing Charm placed upon it (to be reinforced every month). This is because Fwooper song will eventually drive the listener insane — according to ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'':
Glumbumble
'Glumbumbles' are furry, grey bee-like insects found in Northern Europe. They feed on nettles instead of flowers, and, rather than honey, Glumbumbles produce a type of treacle that induces depression in those who consume it (hence, its name). The treacle is used to counter the hysteric effects cause by the consumption of Alihosty leaves. Glumbumbles nest in seclusion, usually in hollow trees and caves.
Graphorn
Native to the mountains of Europe, the 'Graphorn' is a large, quadrapedal hump-backed creature with two massive horns on its head. Greyish-purple in colour, Graphorns are extremely aggressive. Occasional attempts are made by mountain trolls to mount a Graphorn, though this usually results in injury on the part of the troll. The horns of the Graphorn are powdered for use in potions, and its hide is even tougher and more spell-repellent than a dragon's.
Horklump
A 'Horklump' is a pinkish, mushroom-like creature covered in black bristles. Like a fungus, it spreads its tentacles through soil to consume food. It eats earthworms and is considered a delicacy by gnomes. It comes from Scandinavia
Jarvey
A 'Jarvey' is a large ferret-like creature that lives below ground and eats gnomes. It is found in Britain, Ireland and North America and is capable of speech, though it generally confines itself to streams of random insults.
Jobberknoll
A 'Jobberknoll' is a tiny blue, speckled bird that remains silent throughout its life until the moment it dies, whereupon it emits a continuous stream of sound made up of every sound it has ever heard. Their feathers are used in Memory Potions and Veritaserum.
Knarl
Found in Northern Europe, a 'Knarl' looks near identical to a hedgehog. To tell the difference between them, one must only offer it milk. While hedgehogs will happily accept it, Knarls will go berserk — they see it as an attempt to lure them into a trap or poison them. As they generally inhabit gardens, if food is left out, the Knarl will trash the yard (Muggle children are usually blamed for the wreckage).
Kneazle
A 'Kneazle' is a cat-like creature closely enough related to cats that they can interbreed with them. A Kneazle has large ears, spotted fur and a lion-like tail.
Kneazles are considerably more intelligent than the average cat, and have a few knacks, in particular the ability to detect bad or suspicious people (to whom they react badly). They also have the ability to lead their owner home when lost. Despite their occasionally aggressive nature, if domesticated they make good pets. Kneazles must be licensed if they become tamed in the event that a Muggle mistakes it for a cat.
Crookshanks, Hermione Granger's pet, is half-Kneazle, which explains why he recognises that Scabbers, Ron Weasley's pet rat, is actually Peter Pettigrew, an Animagus. Arabella Figg also breeds them, and it is therefore likely that at least some of her cats are actually Kneazles or part-Kneazle.
It is possible that Mrs. Norris is part kneazle due to her intelligence.
Lethifold
In appearance, a 'Lethifold' is similar to a black cloak approximately half an inch (13 mm) thick, somewhat thicker if it has recently digested a victim. A Lethifold is carnivorous, gliding along the ground and possibly other surfaces in an unknown mode of locomotion in search of prey to suffocate and digest. The only reported prey is humans (including wizards), and the only known spell capable of repelling a Lethifold is the Patronus Charm. As it generally attacks sleeping victims, however, few manage to actually apply this knowledge. The first recording of a Lethifold was by the Wizard Flavius Belby who encountered it in 1782 while holidaying at Papua New Guinea. With its cloaklike appearance and susceptiblity to the Patronus Charm, a Lethifold is similar to the Dementor. The Lethifold is a mercifully rare denizen of the tropics, and has not appearred in the main novels.
Lobalug
A creature that lives in the North Sea. When threatened, it sprays its attacker with poison. Merpeople use it as a weapon.
Mackled Malaclaw
A poisonous lobster-like creature whose bite renders its victim unlucky for short periods.
Moke
A small lizard with the ability to shrink at will. Its skin will shrink in the presence of danger after death, making it highly sought after for the manufacture of purses; objects held in a mokeskin purse can only be removed by the purse's owner. Harry receives a bag made from mokeskin from Hagrid for his seventeenth birthday.
Murtlap
A rat-like creature with a sea anemone-like growth on its back. Its essence can protect against spell effects. The essence of the murtlap is used by Harry in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to soothe the pain from his detentions with Dolores Umbridge. He also suggests it to Lee Jordan, who in turn gives an idea to the Weasley twins to use it in their Skiving Snackboxes.
Niffler
'Nifflers' are small creatures which possess the ability to hunt treasure and shiny objects. Their front paws are flat and spade-like, which help them dig. Nifflers are found naturally in mines. Although they are not considered highly dangerous, they are considered impossible to keep in the home, because they will tear a home apart seeking valuables.
Nifflers were introduced in ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' as the subject of a Care of Magical Creatures lesson. The instructor, Rubeus Hagrid, buried one hundred or so coins, inviting students to pick a Niffler to dig them up. The student whose Niffler retrieved the most coins was the winner. (Ron Weasley won a large slab of Honeydukes' chocolate.)
In ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', Nifflers are mentioned again, though not seen firsthand. Apparently they are introduced on two occasions into the office of the hated Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge, by Lee Jordan, on both occasions causing considerable damage. As Care of Magical Creatures Teacher, Rubeus Hagrid was presumed to be most likely to have access to Nifflers, and was held responsible; this was used as a pretext in his dismissal.
Nogtail
A small, parasitic pig-like demon that feeds off a nursing sow's blood by pretending to suckle. Can be chased off a farm by a white dog.
Nundu
The 'Nundu' is native to eastern Africa and resembles a giant leopard. This most dangerous of beasts moves silently and its disease-causing breath is potent enough to wipe out entire villages. According to ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'', the Nundu has never been subdued by fewer than 100 wizards working together, making it arguably the most dangerous of all magical creatures.
For information about the cryptid see Nunda.
Occamy
A beautiful, carnivorous creature native to India and the Far East, resembling a winged snake, but plumed, having two legs, and reaching up to fifteen feet in length. As occamy eggshells are formed from pure soft silver, the occamy's reputation for aggression may be overstated, as most of its interaction with humans probably has consisted of defense of its eggs. Its main sources of food are rats and birds; however, it has been known to eat a monkey on occasion.
Plimpie
A spherical, two legged creature that walks along the sea bottom, nibbling the legs of swimmers. It is an insufferable nuisance, so Merpeople often tie its legs together. This causes it to float to the surface.
Puffskein
A 'Puffskein' is a harmless, domesticated wizarding pet. Puffskeins are covered in soft, custard-coloured fur and are spherical in shape. Its appearance is very similar to a tribble from ''Star Trek''. It is described as a docile, popular pet that does not object to being cuddled or thrown about and that is easy to care for. When Puffskeins are happy they emit a low, humming noise. The Puffskein is not a picky eater, consuming anything from leftovers to spiders, but it particularly likes to stick its long thin tongue up wizards' noses and eat their bogeys while they sleep. This makes it an especially beloved pet among wizarding children.
According to ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'', Ron Weasley owned a Puffskein at one point. Its demise is attributed to his brother Fred, who purportedly used it for Bludger practice. Also in the introduction of ''Fantastic Beasts'', Albus Dumbledore mentions a wizard wanting to cure his pet Puffskein from drinking out of the toilet. A nest of dead Puffskeins was discovered in Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, under the sofa.
Pygmy Puff
A 'Pygmy Puff' is a miniature Puffskein---most likely a subspecies bred for small size---sold in Fred and George Weasley's shop Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes at Diagon Alley in London. They come in various shades of pink and purple. Ginny Weasley has a purple Pygmy Puff named Arnold.
Quintaped
A sketch of a Quintaped, from ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them''.
A large, hairy and five-legged creature (like a starfish), the Quintaped, also called a "''Hairy Macboon''" is a vicious creature, mentioned as primarily feasting on human flesh and are found only inhabiting the Isle of Drear in northermost tip of Scotland; Drear has since become unplottable. As legend states, the Quintapeds were originally a clan known as the MacBoons who were transfigured into monsters by the rival clan, the McCliverts, in revenge against the MacBoons for having slain their chief in a drunken duel; in their new form, the MacBoons went about slaughtering all the MacCliverts (who are mentioned as being incompetent at magic and incapable of defending themselves very well) eventually wiping them out. Whether or not this legend is true or not is unknown, as all attempts by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to capture a Quintaped and Untransfigure them have failed. [1]
In ''Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince'' Ch. 24, Harry discovers a large, five-legged skeleton in a cage in the Room of Requirement. There has been speculation as to whether or not this is such a Quintaped. [1]
Runespoor
An African snake with three heads (a planner, a dreamer and a critic) which often gets into arguments with itself. The critic has the harshest venom of the three, but frequently dies by the jaws of the other two.
Snidget
An artist's portrayal of the Golden Snidget.
An endangered species, due to the fact that the 'Golden Snidget' was used long ago in Quidditch, and was replaced in the game by the Golden Snitch. Their classification by the Ministry of Magic as noted in ''Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them'' at Class 4 is not a reflection of the danger they pose, which would relegate them to Class 2 (Class 1 being the classification for 'boring' species), but rather because of how rare they are: the harming or killing of a Snidget is subject to extremely severe penalties under wizarding law, as is the possession of their feathers.
Snidgets are walnut sized, have spherical bodies and have red, jewel like eyes.
Shrake
A spiny fish that rips up Muggle fishing nets.
Streeler
Highly poisonous snails with beautiful, colour-shifting shells. Briefly shown on sale at Diagon Alley's Magical Menagerie. In the games they are called giant orange snails.
Tebo
A warthog capable of invisiblity.
Winged horse
There are four breeds of winged horse found in the ''Harry Potter'' series. The four colours of the horses (white, red, gray (or pale) and black) may be an allusion to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Abraxan
An abraxan.
'Abraxans' are described as gigantic palominos, and are the breed that pulled the Beauxbatons carriage to Hogwarts in ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' and ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince''. According to Madame Maxime Abraxans prefer to drink only single-malt whiskey. Their name probably derives from Abraxus, one of the four horses who pulled the chariot of Helios, the Ancient Greek Sun god. Hagrid also babbles about his friend who breeds them (probably referring to Madame Maxime herself) and how he had a ride on one of them when Professor Umbridge questions him about his injuries.
Aethonan
'Aethonan' is a breed of winged horse. It is described in ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' as "chestnut" and "popular in Britain and Ireland." Its name is probably derived from Aethon, one of the horses of Helios, the Ancient Greek god of the Sun.
Granian
'Granian' is the name of a breed of winged horse described in ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' as "grey and particularly fast." It was probably named after Grani, the son of Sleipnir, the steed of Odin. Grani was given to the hero Sigurd.
Thestral
An artist's drawing of a Thestral.
Main articles: Thestral
The 'Thestral' is a reptilian winged horse, visible to anyone who has witnessed and accepted a death. They are extremely intelligent and are a useful means of transportation, due to their ability to find any location the rider names. Though they are used for land transportation at Hogwarts, pulling the carriages to and from Hogsmeade Station, they are equally efficient for flight transportation. Dumbledore has, apparently, used this means of transport, and Harry and his friends fly on Thestrals to the Ministry of Magic in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix''.
Luna Lovegood's creatures
Luna Lovegood, the Ravenclaw girl first introduced in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', has a passionate but largely unfounded belief in numerous magical creatures of dubious existence. The only people who accept them as real appear to be Luna, her father, and presumably some fans of Mr. Lovegood's magazine, ''The Quibbler''. As such, they appear to be the magical equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster or Yetis (although Yetis and the Loch Ness Monster are completely real in the wizarding world).
Debate over the existence of these creatures is the subject of occasional tension between Hermione Granger and Luna, although they haven't played major roles in the series, and it isn't known whether they actually exist in the ''Harry Potter'' universe. Since most people don't believe they exist, they point to her claims as evidence of her "uniqueness".
Aquavirius Maggot
Luna at first mistakes the brains in one of the rooms of the Department of Mysteries as 'Aquavirius Maggots'. She says that her father told her the Ministry of Magic was breeding them.
Blibbering Humdinger
Nothing is known about this creature
Crumple-Horned Snorkack
Supposedly incapable of flight. According to Luna, some of these creatures can be found in Sweden. Luna and her father planned a trip to Sweden to try and catch a Crumple-horned Snorkack. Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's father, describes them as very gentle. In Deathly Hallows, Xenophilius Lovegood was shown in the possession of an explosive Erumpent Horn, believing it to be the horn of a Crumple Horned Snorkack. In a webchat based interview, Rowling concluded that Crumple-Horned Snorkacks don't actually exist in the universe of ''Harry Potter''.
Heliopath
Mentioned once by Luna, a 'Heliopath' resembles a tall creature of fire, that burns everything in its path. Luna suggested that the then-Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge had his own private army of them.
The word ''heliopath'' literally means "sun sufferer."
Nargle
Considered a type of pest according to Luna Lovegood. In the movies, she makes comments on how Nargles are the mischievous thieves of her items. She also tells Harry that they infest mistletoe. In some other tales nargles have seemed to resemble garden gnomes.
Umgubular Slashkilter
Luna believes that Cornelius Fudge has one.
Wrackspurt
Invisible flying creatures that "float through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy."
References
1. ''Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them'', pg. 35, 36
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