With Tuesday's release of J.K. Rowling's newly-edited
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hardcover and audiobook, Pottermore and EW released a few tidbits from the installment, including of actor Eddie Redmayne's narration of the Thunderbird, and briefs of the six new creatures added to the tome.
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Thunderbird
Another Ilvermorny house animal, the Thunderbird is known for its majestic appearance and the power to create storms as it flies.
The five other animals - all of whom were introduced in the Ilvermonry backstory from Rowling's website - added to the latest editing of
Fantastic Beasts can be found here.
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Snallygaster
The Snallygaster is part bird, part reptile and a distant relative of the Occamy. Here, the curious creature is imagined as a feathered dinosaur, covered in scales.
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Horned Serpent
The school’s founder Isolt Sayre could understand the creature, and used shavings from its horn to create wands.
The model’s eyes look fierce but intelligent. An apt depiction, since the creature’s house is traditionally home to scholars.
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Hidebehind
The tall, silvery Hidebehind is nocturnal and can hide behind almost anything to conceal itself. According to J.K. Rowling, only a witch or wizard is likely to survive an attack from this creature, here depicted almost sloth-like and with a slightly sinister smile.
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Wampus Cat
The inspiration for another Ilvermorny house, the Wampus Cat is feline in appearance and classified as ‘XXXXX’ in Newt Scamander’s book Fantastic Beasts – meaning it’s a known wizard killer that cannot be domesticated. The model here alludes to some of the Wampus Cat’s greater powers of hypnosis and Legilimency.
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Hodag
Last, but not least, is the Hodag, a frog-headed creature with long fangs and red glowing eyes. Reputed to be the size of a large dog, the Hodag model looks powerful and rather like a hyena.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them also includes an updated film-centric introduction from Newt Scamander himself, who touches on his relationship with Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and MACUSA Seraphina Picquery, and whether or not he was a spy.
Pre-order J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, out March 28th, in the following formats now:
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Amazon Exclusive) (Niffler Figurine/Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD UltraViolet Combo Pack)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD UltraViolet Combo Pack)