Creature Feature: The Many Beasts of the Potterverse

Images via Warner Bros.

With the upcoming release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, animals are getting spotlight treatment alongside the human cast.

J.K. Rowling is well-known for her development of Muggle and Wizarding characters, bringing them to life with backstories and great dialogue. However, just as important are the other denizens of the magical world of Harry Potter, the non-speaking ones: the creatures! This is especially true with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them coming to the big screen this month.

While fans are excited about actors in the cast of Fantastic Beasts, I’d have to say that both fans AND cast seem equally thrilled about the beasts themselves. There have been numerous interview questions about their favorite beasts. Plus some fun ones about how the actors manage to work with invisible beasts that are added later through the magic of special effects.

Even J.K. Rowling has her own favorite beast. She started out writing her first screenplay as part of a Fantastic Beasts trilogy and ended up having a story large enough that plans changed to a quintet. The first movie is said to be the only one that really centers on magical creatures by following their escape from the suitcase in New York City and subsequent recapture.

Animal-loving fans have to believe that the other 4 movies won’t be entirely beastless. Especially when Eddie Redmayne is ready reprise his role as Newt Scamander, magizoologist. After all, what’s a magizoologist without the zoo?

Let’s dip our toes into Newt’s world to prepare for release day by taking a look at some of the Potterverse’s old and new creatures. Warning: This information is from both the books and movies including Fantastic Beasts, so there may be some spoilers.

Image via Warner Bros.

20. Owls

“Owls are magical creatures most often used for delivering post and parcels in the wizarding world. The are known for their speed and discretion and can find recipients without an address.” – J.K. Rowling

Raptors have always fascinated people, especially Owls. Rowling made a wise choice in making Owls into a widely used creature in her novels. For Muggles these feathered creatures can be mysterious and spooky, but in the wizarding world they’re magical, often friendly, and useful.

For Hogwarts students, Eeylops Owl Emporium & Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley is the place to go to purchase one as a pet. There are a couple species that have shown up over the series: Snowy, Great Grey, Screech, Scops, Eagle, and Barn. Let’s take a look at a few famous Owls of the Potterverse:

Hedwig

The famed Snowy Owl made it on our 50 Best Characters from the Harry Potter Novels List:

"Harry’s owl Hedwig has to be front and center here. Harry picked Hedwig up in the first book, and Rowling built her personality (proud, competent, and a little fussy) quietly over the rest of the series. Millions of people ascribe personalities to their pets, so it was easy for readers to treat Hedwig like any other character. When she was killed in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it hit a lot harder than expected."

Errol

This elderly Great Grey Owl was a member of the Weasley household. Harry Potter called him a “moulting feather duster.” Due to Errol’s age, his eyesight was poor and he would fly into things on flights, requiring time to recuperate after long flights.

Pigwidgeon

Another Weasley Owl, but this one was specifically Ron’s pet. Described as exceedingly hyper, loud, bothersome, very small, and a show off, Pigwidgeon got his name from Ron’s sister Ginny. Harry thought of him as a “fluffy snitch.”

GIF image via Warner Brothers

19. Bowtruckles

“Bowtruckles are tiny, pixie-like creatures made of wood. Bowtruckles have knobbly brown arms and legs, two twig-like fingers at the end of each hand, and flat, bark-like faces. Bowtruckles are tree-guardians and usually live in trees whose wood is of wand quality. They eat woodlice and fairy eggs.” – J.K. Rowling

Found in western England, southern Germany, and some Scandinavian forests, Bowtruckles guard the trees they live in. They are hard to see due to their small size and the fact that they look like small branches with leaves.

Their little claws and can be quite viscious. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Professor Grubby-Plank says angered Bowtruckes can gouge at people’s eyes and woodlice is a good treat to distract them with. Their small size and fingers with claws mean they can be useful in picking locks. This ability is possibly how our most famous Bowtruckle from the Fantastic Beasts series got his name.

Pickett

Newt Scamander has several Bowtruckles and they’re named Titus, Finn, Jeremy, Marlow, Tom, and Pickett. Newt knows he shouldn’t have favorites, but truthfully Pickett is his favorite. The other Bowtruckles pick on and bully him because of his insecurity and neuroses. Pickett often lives in Newt’s top pocket and is described as having attachment issues.

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18. Phoenixes

“A phoenix is a bird with magical properties. Large and coloured red and gold, they can carry very heavy loads and their tears have healing powers. On their Burning Days phoenixes burst into flames and are reborn from the ashes. ” – J.K. Rowling

The size of a large swan, Phoenixes have scarlet feathers that glow in the dark a little and golden tail feathers that are hot to the touch. They periodically endure a Burning Day when their bodies become old. After bursting into flames, they rise from the ashes as a chick and quickly grow back to full-size. As this happens over and over again, Phoenixes can reach a very old age.

Albus Dumbledore said that the birds can carry very heavy loads and that their tears have healing powers. Their song also has a magical effect, increasing courage of the good and putting fear into evil. Phoenixes are able to do something similar to apparition, disappearing and reappearing in bursts of flames. This includes whatever they are carrying at the time. Additionally they are immune to Basilisk stares and can be reborn after a Killing Curse.

Fawkes

Phoenixes are very rarely domesticated, so it is noteworthy that Dumbledore has Fawkes as a pet. Fawkes saved Harry Potter from Salazar Slytherin’s Basilisk and magically appeared to carry the trio away from the Chamber of Secrets. Harry’s wand has a core made from one of Fawkes’ tail feathers.

"“Somewhere out in the darkness, a phoenix was singing in a way Harry had never heard before; a stricken lament of terrible beauty… They all fell silent. Fawkes’s lament was still echoing over the dark grounds outside.”"

Domesticated Phoenixes are known to be extremely loyal to their owners. When Dumbledore died in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Fawkes sang his Phoenix lament then returned to the wild and was not seen again.

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17. Cats & Kneazles

“Cats are one of the three types of animals first-years are permitted to bring to Hogwarts as pets.” – J.K. Rowling

While Cats in the Potterverse are pretty much the same as what we know in the Muggle world, Kneazles are magical felines. Kneazles look a lot like Cats with spotted, speckled or flecked fur, but thier ears are larger and their tails tufted at the end like lions. They’re highly intelligent, independent, and sometimes aggressive, just like normal Cats. They can detect suspicious and untrustworthy people.

Kneazles can interbreed with Cats and the resulting half-Kneazles are popular pets for witches and wizards. Due to their popularity, a living can be made from breeding purebred Kneazles and part-Kneazles. Harry Potter’s childhood babysitter, Arabella Figg, turns out to be a Kneazle breeder.

Let’s take a look at a few famous felines of the Potterverse:

Crookshanks

Hermione Granger purchased this ginger half-Kneazle instead of an Owl from the Magical Menagerie in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Harry described Crookshanks as “either a very big cat or a quite a small tiger.” He becomes instrumental to the story, helping Sirius Black, who was posing as Ron Weasley’s pet rat Scabbers, infiltrate Hogwarts and protecting Sirius during a fight with Harry.

Mr. Tibbles, Snowy, and Tufty

These were 3 of Mrs. Figgs’ half-Kneazles. Harry originally thought they were just normal cats, but learned the truth later after becoming a wizard. Mr. Tibbles somehow informed Arabella when Harry and Dudley Dursley were attacked by Dementors in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Image via Pottermore

16. Blast-Ended Skrewts

“Ah Skrewts. A highly dangerous cross between manticores and Fire Crabs bred by Hagrid, (who else?) these shell-less, slimy lobster type creatures won the hearts of absolutely no one.” – Pottermore

In 1994, Rubeus Habrid somehow crossed manticores with fire crabs, creating the Blast-Ended Skrewt. About 6 inches long and smelling of rotten fish, newly hatched Skrewts are pale with legs sticking out at all angles. Sparks fly out of their ends, propelling them several inches. The males have stingers while females are able to suck blood.

Upon reaching 3 feet in size, the Skrewts are described as turning grey with shiny armor and looking like a cross between giant scorpions and elongated crabs. They are ill-tempered and hard to approach. In fact, Hagrid found that they would kill each other and had to keep them separated in crates. He theorized that the killing was due to pent-up energy and suggested to his horrified Care of Magical Creatures class that they each take one out for a walk to help.

Allowing them to mature further, the Skrewts were measured at 10 feet long. Looking like giant scorpions, their armor deflects most spells. Dangerous creatures, they are propelled by their blasts toward enemies. Their undersides remain armorless though.

These scary sounding creatures were used during the Triwizard Tournament. Placed inside a maze, one was defeated by Harry Potter with an Impediment Jinx put on its underside.

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15. Hippogriffs

“The Hippogriff is an eagle-headed equine that can fly as well as gallop. As taught by Rubeus Hagrid, Care of Magical Creatures professor for third years in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, proper etiquette must be observed when meeting a Hippogriff: bow, and always wait for the creature to come to you.” – Pottermore

Similar to the Griffin, the Hippogriff has the front legs, wings, and head of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a horse. Hippogriffs are known to be extremely proud and it is best to allow them to make the first move if you are seeking to earn their trust. If you are not polite and offend them, they may attack you. That said, once you do earn their trust they are known to be fiercely loyal and protective.

Some witches and wizards pursue breeding of fancy Hippogriffs as a career. This includes Newt Scamander’s mother, which helped instill in him a life-long interest in magical creatures.

Buckbeak

Part of the herd at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Rubeus Hagrid introduced Buckbeak to his Care of Magical Creatures class in 1993. While Harry Potter followed Hippogriff etiquette and made friends with him, Draco Malfoy did not and was attacked. This led to Buckbeak being sentenced to death by the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. After being rescued by the Golden Trio, he later helped fight in two battles of the Second Wizarding War, including the Battle of Hogwarts.

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14. Dogs

In the wizarding world Dogs serve the same kind of functions as in the Muggle world,. They are pets for companionship and guardians to protect people or objects. Most Dogs in the Potterverse are pretty ordinary in their canine appearance and behavior, but there are a few exceptions in the form of magical subtypes and magically-trained Dogs. For example, there is the Crup. They look just like Jack Russell terriers, but with a forked tail. The forked tail is magically and painlessly removed so that they aren’t noticed by Muggles. Crups tend to be extremely loyal to wizardlings, but ferocious toward Muggles.

Let’s take a look at two famous Dogs from the Potterverse:

Fang

This large hound Dog is one of Rubeus Hagrid’s pets. Known to constantly slobber, Fang is a loud barker and avid licker. He is very protective of Hagrid and is cowardly, but did manage some bravery at least once. Fang tried to defend Hagrid from Delores Umbridge and the Ministry of Magic during an attack and was hit by a Stunning Spell. While he is a boarhound in the books, Fang was played by a Neapolitan Mastiff in the movies.

Fluffy

Another of Hagrid’s creatures, as a rare three-headed canine Fluffy obviously falls into the magical subtypes of Dogs. He’s large and vicious, but is unable to stay awake when hearing music. Fluffy guards the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone. After the Stone was destroyed and he was discharged of his guard dog duties, Fluffy freely roamed the Forbidden Forest for a bit before being returned to his native country of Greece by Albus Dumbledore.

Grim

In the category of unconfirmed Dogs, we know that the Grim takes the form of an enormous jet-black dog with gleaming yellow eyes, but we have not actually confirmed that it is a dog. It is thought to be an omen of death, but some wizards such as Hermione Granger dispute this idea.

GIF image via Warner Brothers

13. Nifflers

“Nifflers are fluffy black creatures with long snouts and curiously flat front paws, almost like spades. They are commonly found down mines, as they are good at hunting out valuables and sparkly things. ” – J.K. Rowling

With their fluffy black fur and long snouts, Nifflers look a lot like moles. Gentle burrowing creatures that love shiny, sparkly objects and have magically large inside pouches to carry things. That obsession is the same reason that goblins kept them around, to dig up treasure for them. They are known to easily burrow, down into the “earth as though it is water.”

Rubeus Hagrid uses Nifflers in his Care of Magical Creatures class. Students are paired with Nifflers to find Leprechaun gold that he buries before class. Ron Weasley likes his Niffler so much that he asks if he can buy one for a pet. Hagrid cautions against it though because in their quest for gold and sparklies, Nifflers can wreak havoc and be destructive in their digging habits.

Let’s take a look at a few famous Nifflers of the Potterverse:

Unnamed Nifflers

During the evil reign of Dolores Umbridge at Hogwarts, Lee Jordan levitated 2 Nifflers into her office to do their destructive best. She blamed Hagrid and did not help him during the Hogwarts High Inquisitor inspections. The incident also caused her to increase her office security, leading to catching Harry when he snuck in to use the fireplace.

Dougal

This Niffler is one of the escapees from Newt Scamander’s suitcase in New York City. He runs amok looking for gold and other shiny valuables from shops and banks. During interviews for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Eddie Redmayne has said “I have a love-hate relationship with that little guy.”

Image via Warner Bros.

12. Dragons

“Dragons are enormous, fire-breathing creatures that can only be handled by skilled, trained wizards. Dragon breeding is not permitted in the magical world: it was outlawed by the Warlock’s Convention of 1709, and dragon eggs are Class A Non-Tradeable Goods.” – J.K. Rowling

Dragons are a given in pretty much any magical world these days. In the Potterverse, Dragons are terribly dangerous due to their ability to fly and breathe fire. These traits make it almost impossible to keep a Dragon in secret. Dragons are magically armored by scaled skin that deflects spells cast at them. Wizards trained to work with Dragons are called Dragon Keepers or Dragonologists. While Dragons cannot be domesticated, they are used as obstacles to guard things, sources of magical materials, and occasionally as mounts.

There are 10 known pure-bred breeds of Dragons, though they are known to interbreed and produce rare hybrids as well: Antipodean Opaleye, Chinese Fireball, Common Welsh Green, Hebridean Black, Hungarian Horntail, Norwegian Ridgeback, Romanian Longhorn, Swedish Short-Snout, and Ukranian Ironbelly. There are two others that only appear in J.K. Rowling’s notes: Catalonian Fireball and Portuguese Long-Snout.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s Latin motto is Draco dormiens numquam titillandus which translates to Never tickle a sleeping dragon.

Norbert

Rubeus Hagrid received a Norwegian Ridgeback Dragon egg from a disguised Professor Quirinus Quirrell who was looking for information about Fluffy. After Norbert hatched, Hagrid fed him with brandy and chicken blood and raised the young dragon until he became too dangerous, eventually bitting Ron Weasley. Norbert went off to Romania with Charles Weasley and was later discovered to be Norberta. In the movies, it is Dumbledore who sends Norbert to Romania.

Gringotts Dragons

Gringotts Wizarding Bank is run by goblins and located in Diagon Alley. They store money and valuables for wizards, using Dragons as guards for the high-security vaults. The Golden Trio encounter one guarding the Lestrange Family Vault.

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11. Doxys and Pixies

“These critters are a right nuisance. Not quite a pixie, not quite a fairy, the winged little creatures get everywhere, and to top it off, they have a venomous bite. A dose of Doxycide is very much needed.” – Pottermore

The Doxy is also known as the Biting Fairy. They have two sets of arms and legs and are covered in black hair. Their wings are shiny like beetles’ wings, and they have sharp venomous teeth. There is an antidote though, but it should be taken immediately by bitten witches and wizards.

As pests in the wizarding world, Doxys invest houses and are known to live in draperies. There are two ways to get rid of an infestation: Doxycide (recipe in the Book of Potions or the Knockback Jinx.

“Pixies sound like cute little delightful things, right? Wrong. Pixies are vicious little scallywags and heaven forbid you let them out of their cage.” – Pottermore

Another small magical creature, Pixies are bright blue and able to fly. They are filled with mischief making ideas, lifting people by their ears and leaving them high up in trees or on top of buildings. They can only speak to other Pixies with their voices “so shrill it was like listening to a lot of arguing budgies.”

Professor Gilderoy Lockhart tried to use some Cornish Pixies in his Defence Against the Dark Arts class, but lost control of them and Hermione Granger had to clean up the mess using a Freezing Charm.

In the Harry Potter movie series, Pixies have visible wings, but in the film version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them they do not.

Image via Warner Bros.

10. Toads

“Of the three approved animals permitted to students as pets at Hogwarts, the toad is, and has been for many years now, by far the least popular. […] [P]ossession of a pet toad conveyed neither cool nor status; indeed, it was something of an embarrassment.” – J.K. Rowling

There are 5 kinds of Toads available at Eeylops Owl Emporium & Magical Menagerie: Common, Crested, Harlequin, Natterjack, and Western Green. They are kept as pets by few in the wizarding and muggle communities alike. While Toads are not magical, they are used to perform spells on or test potions on due to how their skin absorbs liquids.

If you hatch a chicken egg under a Toad, you can produce a Basilisk. Prior to the Ministry of Magic enacting legislation preventing animal cruelty, young witches and wizards were taught to pop out the eyes of Newts and use Toads in potions and charms. By Harry Potter’s time at Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid refers to them as “out of fashion.”

Trevor

Neville Longbottom’s pet Toad was named Trevor. He was used by Professor Flitwick to demonstrate levitation spells by flying the Toad around the room. Neville tried out his Shirnking Solution on Trevor, turning him into a tadpole. Nobody, including Neville, seemed particularly fond of the pet Toad who often tried to escape or got lost. When he finally slipped off to join his fellow Toads in Hogwarts lake, both owner and pet were happier and felt relieved.

Image via Warner Bros.

9. Thunderbirds

“I wanted to have one thing that was quintessentially American, and the Thunderbird is. I feel a special kinship for birds. I loved Dumbledore’s phoenix, and I wanted a bird in this film with its own mythology. When the thunder bird flaps its multiple wings, it creates storms, so it’s a powerful, mythical creature.” – J.K. Rowling

New to the Potterverse for the film-version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the large-sized Thunderbird looks similar to the eagle portion of the Hippogriff. They are magical and have multiple powerful wings that are used to create storms while flying. They are also said to be able to sense danger. A relative of the phoenix that is native to the desert climate of Arizona, Thunderbird feathers shimmer with cloud-like patterns.

Information about this magical creature is currently scare. However we know that Thunderbird feathers are used as wand cores by the famous American wandmaker Shikoba Wolfe. Also one of the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry houses is named after the bird.

Frank

Newt Scamander rescues a Thunderbird from animal traffickers in Egypt. He names him Frank and promises to take him back home to Arizona. While Frank is shown to have 6 wings in the movie, it is unknown if all Thunderbirds have the same number of wings.

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8. Basilisks

“The Basilisk is an enormous snake sometimes referred to as the King of Serpents. It is born from a chicken’s egg that is hatched beneath a toad; its fangs are poisonous and its stare is lethal. The crowing of a rooster is fatal to it. The Basilisk is the creature from the Chamber of Secrets that has been attacking students.” – J.K. Rowling

A giant serpent known as the King of Serpents, the Basilisk is known as a highly dangeroud wizard-killing magical reptile. They have immense powers and cannot be domesticated due to this. Individuals who speak the language of serpents (Parseltongue) are known as Parselmouths. They are able to control Basilisks depending on their relationship with the particular creature.

Up to 50 feet in length, dark green Basilisks have yellow eyes with the power to kill instantly if you look into them. Males have a single scarlet plume on their heads. Basilisk skin deflects spells cast at them (like dragons), but like normal snakes they occasionally shed their skin. The average life span of a Basilisk is 900 years.

Even looking indirectly at a Basilisk’s eyes, such as through a mirror or through a camera lens, petrifies the victim instantly. The petrification is very strong and was concluded by Albus Dumbledore to only be reversed by the Mandrake Restorative Draught.

Basilisk venom is extremely poisonous, killing victims within minutes of being bitten. The only known cure for Basilisk venom poisoning is phoenix tears.

Serpent of Slytherin

This was a female Basilisk that Salazar Slytherin put inside the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Even though Harry Potter spoke Parseltoungue, he could not control the Serpent. Only Tom Riddle, the heir of Slytherin, was able to do so. The Serpent of Slytherin lived for about 1,000 years before being defeated by Harry Potter, who was poisoned in the fight and had to be saved by Fawkes the Phoenix.

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7. Demiguises

“The Demiguise is a peaceful herbivorous beast, something like a graceful ape in appearance, with large, black, doleful eyes more often than not hidden by its hair. The whole body is covered with long, fine, silky, silvery hair. Demiguise pelts are highly valued as the hair may be spun into Invisibility Cloaks.” – J.K. Rowling

We’ve only seem a few glimpses of them in Fantastiic Beasts trailers, so little is known about them beyond what is found in Newt Scamander’s textbook. These curious looking creatures come from the far East. The Demiguise looks like a small ape with long, silvery, silky looking hair. This same fur allows the magical creature to turn invisible when it feels threatened.

The same hair is prized by wizards and witches because it can be used to weave Invisibility Cloaks. Pottermore mentions that this is done with a pelt, so it may be that Demiguises must be killed to produce these cloaks.

Along with the visibility factor, seekers of Demiguises must also deal with their precognitive sight. Being able to tell the future means they can easily avoid capture unless completely unpredictable actions are used. The cloaks eventually turn opaque and lose their invisibility as time goes by, suggesting that the creature itself is where its magic lies rather than just in its hair.

J.K. Rowling has admitted that the Demiguise is her favorite beast because of its invisibility powers.

GIF image via Warner Brothers

6. Occamys

“The Occamy is found in the Far East and India. A plumed, two-legged winged creature with a serpentine body, the Occamy may reach a length of fifteen feet. It feeds mainly on rats and birds, though has been known to carry off monkeys. The Occamy is aggressive to all who approach it, particularly in defence of its eggs, whose shells are made of the purest, softest silver.” – J.K. Rowling

This is another new to our screen creature. The Occamy is a feathered, two-legged serpentine bodied magical creature with wings. Its wings can be up to 15 feet long, depending on the size of the Occamy, which can grow to vast lengths.

Though the Occamy can be a rather long creature, it can also be small. That’s because its magical nature gives it the power to be choranaptyxic. That means it grows or shrinks in order to fit available space. That explains the clip seen in the Fantastic Beasts trailer where a menacing looking snake-like feathered creature looms over Newt, but is captured in a teapot.

Tempermental beasts, the Occamy is agressive to anyone approaching. This is especially true when it is fiercely defending its eggs. The eggs of an Occamy are of the purest and softest silver. Professor Gilderoy Lockhart once wanted to make a line of haircare products using the silver eggs, but they were too difficult to obtain.

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5. Billywigs

“The Billywig is an insect native to Australia. It is around half an inch long and a vivid sapphire blue, although its speed is such that it is rarely noticed by Muggles and often not by wizards until they have been stung. The Billywig’s wings are attached to the top of its head and are rotated very fast so that it spins as it flies. At the bottom of the body is a long thin sting.” – J.K. Rowling

Another tiny pesky magical creature, the flying Billywig from Australia sounds almost comical. Its sting makes the victim giddy, followed by levitation. Younger witches and wizards in Australia often try to catch them to be stung on purpose. However, too many stings and the victim will hover uncontrollably for days, even permanently if there is a severe allergic reaction.

Billywigs are small, speedy, round, bright sapphire blue insects. Oddly enough its wings are on top of its head, allowing the entire animal to spin around while flying.

Dried Billywig stings are used in potions. They’re also thought to be part of the secret formula of Fizzing Whizzbees, a sweet made by Queenbee. This speculation disgusted either Harry Potter or Ron Weasley who jotted down “last time I eat them.”

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4. Erumpents

“The Erumpent is a large grey African beast of great power. Weighing up to a tonne, the Erumpent may be mistaken for a rhinoceros at a distance. It has a thick hide that repels most charms and curses, a large, sharp horn upon its nose and a long, rope- like tail.” – J.K. Rowling

From the looks of the flashes shown in the trailers, the Erumpents are enormous and move like freight trains made out of magical flesh. With its grey skin and single horn, it definitely looks a lot like a rhinoceros.

While they look rather simple and don’t attack unless provoked, they are treated with caution and respect by African witches and wizards who share a continent with them. The Erumpent’s single horn looks a bit like a tusk, but it is sharp and strong enough to pierce both skin and metal. When the horn plunges into something, it injects the target with explosive juice. While most attacks are deadly, there is a Chocolate Frog Card showing Wilfred Elphick alive and bandaged after being gored.

The species is relatively rare, probably due to males blowing themselves up during mating season. Female erupments give birth to only one calf at a time. They must not be too rare though, because Erupment horns, tails, and exploding fluid are used by witches and wizards to make potions.

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3. Nundus

“This east African beast is arguably the most dangerous in the world. A gigantic leopard that moves silently despite its size and whose breath causes disease virulent enough to eliminate entire villages, it has never yet been subdued by fewer than a hundred skilled wizards working together.” – J.K. Rowling

While the Nundu is described as a huge leopard, the trailers show something with a head that looks a bit more like a puffer fish with a spiky balloon-like appearance. Considered to be extremely dangerous, it moves silently and the breath in its lungs is toxic and filled with disease.

Nundus are extremely difficult to subdue. While dangerous dragons which require a mere 10 wizards to control, the minimum needed for a Nundu is a team of 100 wizards. Luckily the creature is rare in its native eastern Africa.

Of course, this begs the question of why Newt Scamander would have such a creature in his suitcase. It doesn’t sound like the “most dangerous beast in the world” is easily tameable or that it would make a good pet even if you could domesticate it. There is mention of Eldon Elsrickle having a Nundu kept under control with a Stunning Spell, but the Nundu in the trailers hasn’t looked very stunned to me. I guess we’ll just have to see what happens in the movie.

GIF image via Warner Brothers

2. Graphorns

“The Graphorn is found in mountainous European regions. Large and greyish purple with a humped back, the Graphorn has two very long, sharp horns, walks on large, four-thumbed feet, and has an extremely aggressive nature. Mountain trolls can occasionally be seen mounted on Graphorns, though the latter do not seem to take kindly to attempts to tame them and it is more common to see a troll covered in Graphorn scars.” – J.K. Rowling

Yet another dangerous and aggressive creature, the Graphorn is native to the mountains of Europe. It has greyish-purple skin that’s tougher than dragon skin. Graphorns are described as being large, hump-backed 4-legged creatures with two golden horns. Glimpses of the movie version of the Graphorn seem to show 3 horns instead and a sort of tentacle mouth not mentioned in the textbook, perhaps it’s just artistic license at work.

Highly endangered, Newt Scamander has the last pair of breeding Graphorns. From the movie trailers, we’ve seen that they are a successful breeding pair as there is a Graphorn Mini Me present. They also don’t look that dangerous, but a single tender parent-child moment could just be an exception to the rule or Newt has figured out how to tame them.

The magical creature’s horn is a highly sought after potion ingredient. It goes into concoctions such as the Antidote to Uncommon Poisons.

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1. Swooping Evils

“A large, butterfly-like creature that emerges from a small object, possibly a cocoon” – Pottermore

This presumably magical creature is entirely new to the Potterverse for the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie. It’s the one we know the least about because it isn’t even covered in Newt Scamander’s Fantastic Beasts textbook and not much has been released about it. In fact, using the plural for Swooping Evils is just a guess that more than one of them exists.

In the movie clip, Newt throws a round shaped object, possibly an egg or cocoon. What emerges looks like a hybrid between a butterfly, spoonbill bird, and blue-green parrot. It’s pretty difficult to see well as it quickly flies around in a blur of color. The Swooping Evil’s wings are described as spiked while its cocoon is green and spiny.

It’s known to be dangerous because it can feed on people’s brains by sucking them out. Its venom can be diluted to help erase bad memories, so we would guess that full strength would make for some more extreme amnesia.

This is another creature you have to wonder about being present in Newt’s suitcase. Not to mention why he’d be throwing a cocoon into the air, appearing to set it free on purpose. Maybe they nave special anti-brain sucking hats. Invisible anti-brain sucking hats.

Next: Ranking the 50 Greatest Potterverse Characters

While some of these creatures are old friends and some are new, we’ll definitely be watching to see which ones get star billing over the course of the Fantastic Beasts movie quartet!