Top 10 Fantastic Beasts In The Harry Potter Universe

Slightly resembling a mole, but way more interesting – Nifflers are super-skilled at finding treasure. So, who wouldn’t want one of these cute little guys as a pet, if they’ll seek out a fortune? Well, before you set your heart on having one, be advised that Nifflers are also sneaky, cheeky, and can be pretty destructive in their hunt for all things sparkly and valuable. Which is something that Newt Scamander became all too aware of in the first “Fantastic Beasts” film! It’s all fun and games until you’re an accessory to a break-in at a jewelry store!

Dangers can lurk around every corner in the Wizarding World. And while Azkaban houses the horrific, soul-stealing Dementors – for all out beastliness, how about a giant snake which slithers through the plumbing at Hogwarts School? And as if an oversized serpent isn’t bad enough, those unlucky enough to look a Basilisk directly in its eyes are instantly killed, with even an indirect glance petrifying the victim. And then, if you do avoid the deadly stare you’ll still need to steer clear of its venomous fangs - unless you need one to dispose of a diary, of course.

These tiny critters, which slightly resemble the infinitely less-impressive, non-magical Stick Insect, are known to guard wand-wood trees. Their natural camouflage does make them difficult to spot in the wild, but when they are seen, they’re uniquely cute and quirky at the same time. Bowtruckles are usually pretty harmless but can turn quite nasty if threatened – using their sharp fingers to attack, and often aiming for the eyes. They can also come in handy for getting out of tricky situations, especially if there’s a lock that needs picking!

Incredibly rare, majestic and powerful – the Phoenix boasts a long list of fantastic magical abilities. But, possibly its greatest trait is being able to regenerate itself by bursting into flames, before being reborn from its ashes - it’s a skill which can even allow it to dodge the Killing Curse. Not only that, but Phoenixes are immune to the Basilisk stare, and they can disappear and reappear as they please – even while carrying a passenger. And on top of that, their tears have healing properties so strong they can bring someone back from the brink of death, and their song fills good people with courage!

Despite many seeing these creatures as an omen of evil, Thestrals are actually peaceful and cooperative towards humans, and can even be domesticated - famously, Hogwarts keeps a Thestral herd to pull the carriages for students. Easily their most distinctive attribute is that they’re only visible to those who have witnessed death, but they also have the useful ability to understand exactly where it is their rider needs to go, they can travel at speed, and they have an impeccable sense of direction. They’re not exactly blessed with good looks, but they become indispensable allies for Harry Potter.

No, not a puppet vehicle of the International Rescue Team – this humongous bird that resembles an eagle has the helpful ability to sense danger. More impressively though, it can also create storms – hence the name - which proves a particularly useful trait during Newt’s first adventure in New York. With its imperial appearance, the Thunderbird would provide the perfect mode of transport for any witch or wizard who likes to make an entrance – although they’re usually kept under wraps for fear of exposing magnificent magic to the mere muggle world.

Arachnophobes, look away now. Definitely not your common house spider, these terrifying creatures are not to be trifled with. They may be capable of speech, but they won’t hesitate to eat any humans unlucky enough to be within their vicinity. With only Hagrid serving as a very rare example of someone who they won’t attack, what makes these giant creepy crawlies even deadlier is their highly toxic venom. On the plus side, a vial of venom from these things is also highly valuable - but would you fancy trying to collect those goods?

Gentle and ape-like but with long silky hair, the Demiguise can turn invisible whenever it feels threatened. So, they’re pretty tricky to catch, even before you factor in their precognitive sight, which enables them to see the near-future - so only truly unpredictable people stand a chance of even seeing one! But why would anyone want to catch a Demiguise in the first place? Well, because the hair of these creatures can in fact be woven to make an invisibility cloak. It’s no wonder those things are so rare!

As perhaps the most dangerous of all the Dragon breeds, this monstrous fire-breather proved a near-lethal opponent for Harry during the Triwizard Tournament. Not only does the Hungarian Horntail look ferocious, but it also wields savage spikes on its tail and an incredibly far-reaching flame. And though Harry does dodge the worst of it, the average wizard definitely doesn’t want to cross one of these brutal beasts. Even Hagrid, despite his fondness for Dragons, describes the Horntail as a “right nasty piece of work”.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Centaur

Erumpent

Nargle

Gliding to top spot, the fiercely loyal Hippogriff. These beautiful beasts have the head, front legs, and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs and tail of a horse. But you have to earn their respect before you get too close. Hippogriffs know when they’re being insulted, and they won’t take it lightly - Draco Malfoy will vouch for that. However, they’ll protect those they trust with their lives, becoming more than just a majestic means of transport – but an ultra-dependable companion. Buckbeak even fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, don’t forget!