A creature of the shore and coastline, resembling a lobster. The malaclaw's bite gives the victim bad luck for up to a week (FB).

c.f. Felix Felicis.

A sentient creature, capable of intelligent speech but not classified as a being due to its violent tendencies, a manticore has a human-like head, a lion's body, and the tail of a scorpion. The tail secretes a venom that is instantly fatal to a victim of its sting. A manticore's skin repels virtually all known charms, so it is extremely difficult to subdue by magic (FB). In 1296, a manticore seriously wounded someone but was let off because no one dared go near it (PA11). Hagrid bred the Blast-Ended Skrewt from a manticore and a fire-crab (GF24); we do not know how he persuaded the manticore to cooperate.

Manticores originated in Greece (FB). Although this is never stated, it seems possible that like the acromantula, manticores may have originated as a wizard-bred species specifically created to guard treasures, strongholds, and the like, and thus serving as an example of why the Ban on Experimental Breeding is so important.

more about manticores

Sentient beings who live underwater in villages at the bottom of lakes and seas. Specific races of merpeople are also known as sirens (Greece), selkies (Scotland), and merrows (Ireland) (FB) (more...)

A Merperson (see) from the lakes and seas of Ireland (FB) (more...)

A small lizard that can shrink at will (FB).

A strange creature that lives in a burrow. It only comes out at the full moon, when it dances on its enormous flat feet, sometimes leaving intricate patterns in wheatfields (much to the confusion of Muggles). The silvery dung of the mooncalf, if collected before the sun comes up, makes an excellent fertilizer (FB).

c.f. crop-related charms.

See troll.

The preserved remains of a body, human or animal, from which fluids have been removed. Although mummification can occur through natural processes in very dry conditions, the most common conception of a mummy is that of one deliberately embalmed as a preparation for burial, for which additional preservative measures have been performed. In ancient Egypt, mummification was performed on the bodies of humans and of cats, and was considered a necessary step in preparing the deceased for the afterlife.

It is unclear whether the type of mummy Parvati Patil fears (which the boggart impersonated during her first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson with Remus Lupin, PA7), is an actual mummy animated or some Dark Creature resembling a mummy. If the latter is the case, a mummy is a frightening creature, bandaged, bloody, and sightless, possibly a manifestation of a curse left behind by ancient wizards (PA7). (Of course, if Parvati was exposed to Muggle entertainment as a child, she may just have watched too many horror movies.)

more about mummy curses

A seashore-dwelling rodent native to Britain, this ratlike creature has on its back a growth resembling a sea anemone, which when pickled can be used to promote resistance to curses. The murtlap will attack anyone who steps on it, although it usually eats crustaceans, not people's feet (FB).

After Harry left his detention with Umbridge with cuts on the back of his hand, Hermione recommended Murtlap essence, which helped the pain immensely (OP15). Harry later recommends the same treatment to Lee Jordan, who in turn suggested it to the Weasley twins when they were seeking a solution to the problem of the boils caused by their prototype Fever Fudge (OP18, OP26).