A Guide to Harry Potter Creatures

The stories of Harry Potter are peopled with fascinating characters from the sublime (Dumbledore) to the ridiculous (Umbridge). But what would the Potterverse be without the magical and mysterious creatures who populate it in battles and rescues and sometimes as beloved pets? Here is a guide to help you keep all of those fun and fantastic creatures straight. As much as possible, I have attempted to ensure that there are no spoilers. In addition, I am choosing not to include human analogs such as ghosts and inferi, as well as creatures with predominately human characteristics, like house elves.

Acromantula are giant spiders which live in the forbidden forest surrounding Hogwarts. When we say giant, we mean GIANT. They are larger than people and can attack and eat people, often swarming to do so in groups. They are capable of communicating with humans, although not all of them seem to do so. The patriarch of the particular family of acromantula near Hogwarts is Aragog, and Hagrid is his friend and protector. Acromantula venom is very valuable in the wizarding world, and may be collected from an acromantula shortly after death. If much time has passed, however, the venom will dry out and become uncollectable.

Basilisks are huge serpents, sometimes known as the King of Snakes. They are bred by Dark Wizards for their extraordinary killing powers. Looking directly into the eyes of a basilisk will kill anyone instantly, while looking at the basilisk's reflection, for instance in a mirror or through a lens with an indirect line of sight, will petrify the person. In addition, the basilisk's venom, delivered through its gigantic fangs, is a deadly toxin.

Blast-ended Skrewts are designed by Rubeus Hagrid as a cross-bred creature, half Manticore and half Fire-crab. At birth the creature are about six-inches long and look like shell-less lobsters, but grow quickly, topping 10 feet, shooting fire, and having armour which is impervious to fire and magic spells. Their only vulnerability is their soft underbelly. Skrewts are among the most unpleasant creatures in the Potterverse and are frequently referred to as one of Hagrid's worst experiments.

Crookshanks the Cat is Hermione's huge ginger cat. Crookshanks is often seen as very troublesome and rather fierce, though quite fond of Hermione, as she is of him. Crookshanks also serves as Hermione's magical familiar. He is half-Kneazle, contributing to his lion-like appearance.

Dragons appear frequently in the Potter stories. Eleven types of dragons have been identified in the Potterverse, ranging from the mellow (for a dragon) to the incredibly fearsome. They are the Antiipodean Opaleye (NZ, Aus); the Chinese Fireball; the Welsh Green; the Hungarian Horntail; the Norwegian Ridgeback; the Rodesian Ridgeback (looks like a dog, but is actually a dragon); the Peruvian vipertooth; the Romanian longhorn; the Swedish shortsnout; the Ukrainian Ironbelly; and the Hebridean black. The most well-known dragon in the Potter books is Norbert who appears in the first book. Dragons are considered non-commercial, so the purchase of a dragon egg is a criminal offense. Some wizards are called dragon keepers or dragonologists and are trained to work with dragons.

A Phoenix is, like the mythical Muggle world version, a bird that lives 1000 years, bursts into flames, and is reborn from the ashes; thus the Phoenix is immortal. Their plumage consists of scarlet and gold feathers. They are difficult to domesticate, partly because of their ability to disappear and reappear at will. The Phoenix song has magical qualities, as do his tears, which have powerful healing properties. Phoenix feathers are also considered powerful and may be found at the core of wands.

Flobberworms are ten-inch, toothless brown worms which the students of Hogwarts find intensely boring. Their Ministry of Magic classification is X, making them essentially harmless. Each end is identical. The flobberworm exudes a mucus which can be used for thickening potions.

Hedwig the Owl is Harry Potter's owl. She is a snowy owl who is given to Harry at the start of his first year at Hogwarts. Hedwig carries messages for Harry and is a faithful friend. She is often anthropomorphized in the books and is given a rich emotional life and ability to communicate with Harry. Hedwig often shows frustration when Harry has to keep her caged too much or otherwise annoys her, but she also frequenly shows affection, nuzzling or nibbling Harry to show her love for him. Hedwig also serves as Harry's magical familiar, much as Crookshanks does for Hermione.

Hippogriffs are creatures that are the result of cross-breeding between a mare and a griffin. They have the head and wings of an eagle, and the body, legs, and tail of a giant horse. Hippogriffs must be approached with politeness and courtesy and will attack if treated disrespectfully or rudely. One must bow upon first approaching and receive a bow in return from the Hippogriff. One should also maintain eye contact at all times. As with many magical creatures, Hagrid is an expert caretaker and trainer of a herd of Hippogriffs, including the best-known Hippogriff in the Potterverse, Buckbeak.

Pigwidgeon the Owl is Ron Weasley's owl and magical familiar. He is a Scops owl. Pigwidgeon is very small and it is often remarked upon that his small size makes it incredible that he should be able to carry messages, as they are often larger or heavier than he is. Pigwidgeon is very young and very excitable, serving as a foil to the more sedate and sensible Hedwig. Pigwidgeon is often called Pig by Ron, and is also often a source of alternate amusement and annoyance, especially because he so often becomes out of control when excited and is something of a show off.

Thestrels are large black creatures that resemble very bony, desiccated horses with large wings. They are only visible to those who have seen someone die. Thestrels are gentle and can be ridden, although it is rather uncomfortable to do so.

Unicorns exist in the Potterverse and, like many of the other creatures, live in the Forbidden Forest on the outskirts of Hogwarts. Foals are gold, turning silver at two, growing a horn at four, then turning white when fully grown, brighter than snow. Unicorn horn is useful for potions and the tail hair is used in the cores of wands. Their blood is a silver-blue and shines in moonlight. It also has magical properties.

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it does give the most prominent characteristics of the creatures that recur again and again in the Potter stories. Many other creatures are human analogs or are transformative alternate identities of various wizards. The rich world of Rowling is made richer by these fanciful and fantastic creatures.

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