Post by Mark Berry on Sept 23, 2005 13:46:58 GMT -5
Salamander XXX
The Salamander is born and lives in fire, and feeds on the flames. It lives only as long as the fire that produced it continues to burn, and can only survive outside fire for a short time. Salamander blood has powerful curative properties.
Sea Serpent XXX
These are huge sea-dwelling serpents, as their name would suggest. Despite their appearance they are not aggressive, and no records of human death due to a Sea Serpent attack exist. They can reach up to 100 feet in length, have a horse-like head and a long serpentine body.
Selkie XXXX
Alternative name for Merpeople.
Shrake XXX
The Shrake is a spiny fish found in the Atlantic. It resists being caught by Muggles, as the spines easily tear any nets that they encounter. Legend states that the Shrake was created by irate wizard sailors who were insulted by a group of Muggle fishermen.
Siren XXXX
Alternative name for Merpeople.
Slug (Flesh Eating)
Not a great deal is known about these, apart from the fact that Hagrid once had some difficulty with them eating the cabbages at Hogwarts, and had to go to Knockturn Alley to buy some repellent. This may just have been a cover story, however, as flesh-eating slugs are more likely to eat flesh than cabbages.
Snake
This is another creature familiar to Muggles. In the wizarding world, snakes may be conjured using a Serpensortia spell, or communicated with by anyone with the gift of speaking Parseltongue. Snakes seem to have more to say for themselves than one might expect, if Harry’s encounter with a Boa Constrictor at the zoo is anything to go by.
Snidget XXXX
The Snidget is spherical golden bird which acted as the fore-runner of the Snitch in Quidditch. Early Seekers would attempt to catch a single Snidget which was released in the playing arena and prevented from flying outside it by magical means. This practice almost led to the extinction of the species, and so the Snitch (which exhibits identical flying behaviour) was developed as a humane alternative. The Snidget has a long thin beak and red eyes. It can fly very fast, and change direction at high speeds.
Sphinx XXXX
This Sphinx has a human head but the body of a lion. It has long been used by wizards to guard doorways and treasure, and can become aggressive when whatever it is guarding is threatened. The Sphinx has the power of speech, but usually converses only in riddles.
Spider
Aside from the Acromantula, additional smaller spiders – although larger than standard Muggle spiders – exist in the wizarding world. Giant tarantulas can be bought from Knockturn Alley, and Lee Jordan had one on the Hogwarts Express in Harry’s first year.
Sprite
This is a water-dwelling demon dangerous to humans. The female water Sprite, also known as the Water Nymph, is often exceptionally beautiful and takes pleasure into luring human men into its lake or river and causing them to drown. Both male and female Sprites are dangerous, however, and so should be avoided.
Squid
A giant squid inhabits the lake at Hogwarts. It seems to be a docile and friendly creature as it lets the students pet it, and also on one occasion pulled Dennis Creevey out of the water when he fell out of a boat.
Streeler XXX
This is a giant snail which leaves a trail behind it so venomous that it burns any vegetation it touches. The most remarkable thing about the Streeler is that it changes colour every hour.
Tebo XXXX
This is an African warthog. When visible it is grey, but it has the power to make itself invisible which makes it very difficult to catch. Tebo hide is thus hard to come by, but can be used to make protective clothing.
Thestral
A type of Winged Horse. Thestrals are skeletal in appearance, with protruding bones and a dragonish face. They are visible only to those who have seen death. Thestrals are traditionally associated with bad luck, although this is only a legend and is untrue. Hagrid believes he is the only wizard in Britain to have successfully trained a Thestral.
Toad
Toads are on the list of approved pets for Hogwarts students, although it is unclear whether anyone except Neville Longbottom has one. Owls and Cats are much more sought-after.
Troll XXXX
There are three types of troll, defined by their favoured habitat: Mountain Trolls, Forest Trolls and River Trolls. The Mountain Troll is the largest and the most vicious of the three. All species, however, are huge (up to 12 feet in height), violent and stupid. They are, however, very strong and have been known to be trained as guardians. Trolls do not speak in a traditional human sense, but communicate with each other via a series of grunts. They eat raw meat, and hunt anything at all including animals and humans.
Unicorn XXXX
The Unicorn is a pure white horse with a single horn on its brow. Fast and shy, they are rarely seen. They inhabit the forests of Europe, and their horn, hair and blood are all highly magical. It is considered a great crime to kill a Unicorn, however, as they are such beautiful and gentle creatures.
Vampire
Vampires are humanoid creatures who live entirely in the dark (as sunlight causes then severe pain and even death) and drink human blood. As with Werewolves, it is likely that Vampires were once human, but were magically changed, probably due to receiving a bite. Vampires are considered to be Dark creatures and are referenced in many books on Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Veela
The Veela is also a very close relative of humans, but with interesting powers. Veelas are universally female, exceptionally beautiful, and can exert a strong grip over human males with their brand of sensual dancing. Any males watching will instantly be overcome with a desire to watch them and impress them with some great heroic feat. Even when they are not dancing, the Veela carries a certain aura which is deeply inspiring to men. The effect seems to wear off a little with age, as Arthur Weasley was able to resist the charm of the Veelas’ dance at the Quidditch World Cup, whereas Harry and Ron were about to leap on them.
Werewolf XXXXX
This creature is a human afflicted with the disease of lycanthopy, which is contracted via the bite of another Werewolf. Anyone who has this disease will be normal for the majority of the time. At each full moon, however, they will transform into a ravenous psychopathic wolf-maniac which actively seeks out humans to kill. When the full moon has passed, the affected person returns to normal. Development of the Wolfsbane potion has relieved the suffering of those with lycanthropy: when taking this as a medicine, sufferers are transformed only into a harmless normal wolf at full moon rather than a Werewolf.
Winged Horse XX-XXXX
There are various species of Winged Horses: Abraxans, Aethonans, Granians and Thestrals. Each is referred to separately.
Wood Nymph
These are small fairy-like creatures, able to speak and to sing, which are apparently happy to interact with wizards and indeed do as they are told. According to Fleur Delacour, they are used amongst the Christmas decorations at Beauxbatons, where they sing to the students.
Wrackspurt
This is an invisible insect which floats into their victim's head through their ear and makes their brain go fuzzy. Like many things in life, it is likely that it does not exist except in the imagination of Luna Lovegood.
Yeti XXXX
This is most likely a relative of the troll, native to mountainous regions of Tibet. The Yeti can grow up to 15 feet in height and is covered in white hair. It will attack and attempt to eat any animal or human it can find.
Zombie
A Zombie is a dead body that has been re-animated by a supernatural force – presumably some sort of Dark Arts magic must be involved in this process. Professor Quirrell claimed that he’d been given his turban by an African prince as a thank-you present for seeing off a particularly troublesome Zombie, although he hadn’t done anything of the sort, of course.
The Salamander is born and lives in fire, and feeds on the flames. It lives only as long as the fire that produced it continues to burn, and can only survive outside fire for a short time. Salamander blood has powerful curative properties.
Sea Serpent XXX
These are huge sea-dwelling serpents, as their name would suggest. Despite their appearance they are not aggressive, and no records of human death due to a Sea Serpent attack exist. They can reach up to 100 feet in length, have a horse-like head and a long serpentine body.
Selkie XXXX
Alternative name for Merpeople.
Shrake XXX
The Shrake is a spiny fish found in the Atlantic. It resists being caught by Muggles, as the spines easily tear any nets that they encounter. Legend states that the Shrake was created by irate wizard sailors who were insulted by a group of Muggle fishermen.
Siren XXXX
Alternative name for Merpeople.
Slug (Flesh Eating)
Not a great deal is known about these, apart from the fact that Hagrid once had some difficulty with them eating the cabbages at Hogwarts, and had to go to Knockturn Alley to buy some repellent. This may just have been a cover story, however, as flesh-eating slugs are more likely to eat flesh than cabbages.
Snake
This is another creature familiar to Muggles. In the wizarding world, snakes may be conjured using a Serpensortia spell, or communicated with by anyone with the gift of speaking Parseltongue. Snakes seem to have more to say for themselves than one might expect, if Harry’s encounter with a Boa Constrictor at the zoo is anything to go by.
Snidget XXXX
The Snidget is spherical golden bird which acted as the fore-runner of the Snitch in Quidditch. Early Seekers would attempt to catch a single Snidget which was released in the playing arena and prevented from flying outside it by magical means. This practice almost led to the extinction of the species, and so the Snitch (which exhibits identical flying behaviour) was developed as a humane alternative. The Snidget has a long thin beak and red eyes. It can fly very fast, and change direction at high speeds.
Sphinx XXXX
This Sphinx has a human head but the body of a lion. It has long been used by wizards to guard doorways and treasure, and can become aggressive when whatever it is guarding is threatened. The Sphinx has the power of speech, but usually converses only in riddles.
Spider
Aside from the Acromantula, additional smaller spiders – although larger than standard Muggle spiders – exist in the wizarding world. Giant tarantulas can be bought from Knockturn Alley, and Lee Jordan had one on the Hogwarts Express in Harry’s first year.
Sprite
This is a water-dwelling demon dangerous to humans. The female water Sprite, also known as the Water Nymph, is often exceptionally beautiful and takes pleasure into luring human men into its lake or river and causing them to drown. Both male and female Sprites are dangerous, however, and so should be avoided.
Squid
A giant squid inhabits the lake at Hogwarts. It seems to be a docile and friendly creature as it lets the students pet it, and also on one occasion pulled Dennis Creevey out of the water when he fell out of a boat.
Streeler XXX
This is a giant snail which leaves a trail behind it so venomous that it burns any vegetation it touches. The most remarkable thing about the Streeler is that it changes colour every hour.
Tebo XXXX
This is an African warthog. When visible it is grey, but it has the power to make itself invisible which makes it very difficult to catch. Tebo hide is thus hard to come by, but can be used to make protective clothing.
Thestral
A type of Winged Horse. Thestrals are skeletal in appearance, with protruding bones and a dragonish face. They are visible only to those who have seen death. Thestrals are traditionally associated with bad luck, although this is only a legend and is untrue. Hagrid believes he is the only wizard in Britain to have successfully trained a Thestral.
Toad
Toads are on the list of approved pets for Hogwarts students, although it is unclear whether anyone except Neville Longbottom has one. Owls and Cats are much more sought-after.
Troll XXXX
There are three types of troll, defined by their favoured habitat: Mountain Trolls, Forest Trolls and River Trolls. The Mountain Troll is the largest and the most vicious of the three. All species, however, are huge (up to 12 feet in height), violent and stupid. They are, however, very strong and have been known to be trained as guardians. Trolls do not speak in a traditional human sense, but communicate with each other via a series of grunts. They eat raw meat, and hunt anything at all including animals and humans.
Unicorn XXXX
The Unicorn is a pure white horse with a single horn on its brow. Fast and shy, they are rarely seen. They inhabit the forests of Europe, and their horn, hair and blood are all highly magical. It is considered a great crime to kill a Unicorn, however, as they are such beautiful and gentle creatures.
Vampire
Vampires are humanoid creatures who live entirely in the dark (as sunlight causes then severe pain and even death) and drink human blood. As with Werewolves, it is likely that Vampires were once human, but were magically changed, probably due to receiving a bite. Vampires are considered to be Dark creatures and are referenced in many books on Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Veela
The Veela is also a very close relative of humans, but with interesting powers. Veelas are universally female, exceptionally beautiful, and can exert a strong grip over human males with their brand of sensual dancing. Any males watching will instantly be overcome with a desire to watch them and impress them with some great heroic feat. Even when they are not dancing, the Veela carries a certain aura which is deeply inspiring to men. The effect seems to wear off a little with age, as Arthur Weasley was able to resist the charm of the Veelas’ dance at the Quidditch World Cup, whereas Harry and Ron were about to leap on them.
Werewolf XXXXX
This creature is a human afflicted with the disease of lycanthopy, which is contracted via the bite of another Werewolf. Anyone who has this disease will be normal for the majority of the time. At each full moon, however, they will transform into a ravenous psychopathic wolf-maniac which actively seeks out humans to kill. When the full moon has passed, the affected person returns to normal. Development of the Wolfsbane potion has relieved the suffering of those with lycanthropy: when taking this as a medicine, sufferers are transformed only into a harmless normal wolf at full moon rather than a Werewolf.
Winged Horse XX-XXXX
There are various species of Winged Horses: Abraxans, Aethonans, Granians and Thestrals. Each is referred to separately.
Wood Nymph
These are small fairy-like creatures, able to speak and to sing, which are apparently happy to interact with wizards and indeed do as they are told. According to Fleur Delacour, they are used amongst the Christmas decorations at Beauxbatons, where they sing to the students.
Wrackspurt
This is an invisible insect which floats into their victim's head through their ear and makes their brain go fuzzy. Like many things in life, it is likely that it does not exist except in the imagination of Luna Lovegood.
Yeti XXXX
This is most likely a relative of the troll, native to mountainous regions of Tibet. The Yeti can grow up to 15 feet in height and is covered in white hair. It will attack and attempt to eat any animal or human it can find.
Zombie
A Zombie is a dead body that has been re-animated by a supernatural force – presumably some sort of Dark Arts magic must be involved in this process. Professor Quirrell claimed that he’d been given his turban by an African prince as a thank-you present for seeing off a particularly troublesome Zombie, although he hadn’t done anything of the sort, of course.
