The Harry Potter universe is filled with extraordinary magical creatures, including the hybrid eagle-horse Hippogriff and the fire-shooting Blast-Ended Skrewt. But it also features several animals that look rather ordinary on the surface. In fact, they could easily be mistaken for animals from the Muggle world. In some cases, that’s because they actually are regular animals from the Muggle world. But most of these seemingly familiar creatures have abilities that make them way more remarkable than the typical household pet. From highly intelligent and loyal owls to mischievous cats, these creatures have distinctive personalities and play meaningful roles in the series. Some deliver important messages, others draw attention to dangerous secrets, and a few become heroes. Here are some of the most memorable ordinary-looking animals in the Harry Potter series.
Hedwig
Harry Potter’s beautiful snowy owl is easily one of the most beloved animals in the entire series. Hagrid gives the all-white Hedwig to Harry for his eleventh birthday, making her an extremely special gift and one of the first real presents he gets after years of mistreatment by the awful Dursleys. Like all magical messenger owls, Hedwig can deliver letters and packages to people without needing an address. She’s also incredibly smart and can always understand Harry’s specific instructions. She has a strong personality and isn’t afraid to show occasional displeasure with Harry through nippy behavior. Her loyalty and companionship make her so much more than a handy messenger. When Harry is stuck at the Dursleys’ during the summers, Hedwig is his only ally. Her death is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire Harry Potter series.
Crookshanks
Hermione Granger’s enormous, fluffy, flat-faced ginger cat is certainly not conventionally adorable. And he doesn’t really seem to display too many abilities. But Crookshanks is part Kneazle, a magical animal with high intelligence and an ability to detect deceptive individuals. And he definitely nails this ability. He immediately takes an intense dislike to Ron’s pet rat, Scabbers, who turns out to be the twisted Peter Pettigrew in disguise. He teams up with Sirius Black and helps expose Peter Pettigrew’s true identity. He might look like your average fluffy orange cat, but he’s quite impressive beneath the surface.
Fang
Hagrid is a massive man, so it makes sense that he has an enormous companion. Though he’s described as a boarhound in the books, Fang is played by Neapolitan Mastiffs in the movies. Hagrid’s loyal canine looks super intimidating and could likely scare off anyone who came to visit his owner’s cabin. However, his size and terrifying appearance hide a very gentle and anxious animal. Fang is actually a lovable coward and would prefer to avoid danger at all costs. Though he travels alongside Hagrid into dangerous territory, like the Forbidden Forest, we get the sense that he wouldn’t be much help in an emergency. Though he doesn’t have one ounce of magic in him, we love Fang for his affectionate personality and tendency to drool all over the place. And we can’t blame him for fearing the evil creatures who make their way to Hogwarts.
Fawkes
Dumbledore’s phoenix Fawkes is one of the most extraordinary animals in the Harry Potter universe. Though Phoenixes don’t exist in the Muggle world, you might mistake Fawkes for a real-life exotic bird, albeit an exceptionally beautiful one. His bright red and gold feathers are stunning. Phoenixes have remarkable magical abilities; they can heal injuries with their tears and carry incredibly heavy loads. They are most famous for their life cycle. In death, they burst into flames, before being reborn from the ashes. Both heroic and mysterious, Fawkes is a wonderful companion to Dumbledore. He comes to Harry’s rescue to help fight the Basilisk and heals Harry’s wounds on multiple occasions. In a series filled with magical animals, Fawkes is one of our favorites.
Mrs. Norris
Mrs. Norris might not be popular with Hogwarts students, but she takes her job seriously and does it well. She looks like a normal cat, and it’s possible she actually is, as she never displays any obvious magical abilities. After all, her owner, Filch, doesn’t have an ounce of magic himself. This thin, highly aware cat is attuned to her surroundings at all times. She belongs to Argus Filch, Hogwarts’ moody caretaker who gets a kick out of catching students breaking rules. Mrs. Norris prowls the hallways looking for trespassers; if you’re not careful sneaking out at night, she will almost certainly hear you. If she does, she will immediately alert Filch. Though the students don’t exactly appreciate her, Mrs. Norris’ commitment to duty, awareness, and connection with her owner are pretty cool. We have to admit, an eerie feline wandering the halls at night fits perfectly with a school like Hogwarts.
Trevor
Neville Longbottom’s pet toad Trevor might not be as glamorous as the elegant Hedwig, or as interactive as Crookshanks, but he’s certainly endearing. In the care of the famously forgetful Neville, we feel for the poor toad. Neville’s Great-Uncle Algie gave him Trevor after Neville finally showed magical ability (by bouncing after being accidentally dropped out of a window). We’re not sure whether Neville chronically misplaces Trevor, or if the amphibian is always attempting to escape, but he gets lost multiple times throughout the series. Neville’s on-going search for his missing pet is something of a running joke. In a story with dragons, hippogriffs, and giant spiders, there’s something wonderful about an ordinary toad being thrown in the mix.