Hodag

Hodag
Species information
Eye colour	Red, glowing
Skin colour	Black
Hair colour	Black and grey
Native to	North America, mostly Wisconsin
Mortality	Mortal
Distinction	Frog-headed Roughly the size of a large dog Horned (horns have magical properties) Inhabits Muggle farms Feeds on Mooncalves
Ministry of Magic Classification	Beast XXX
Status	Extant

"A horned, frog-headed hunter with a taste for Mooncalves."

— Description

The Hodag was a magical, frog-headed beast that was known to exist in the New World. They tended to be drawn to Muggle farms and MACUSA's Department of No-Maj Misinformation worked hard to cover up its sightings.

Physical traits

It was horned with a frog-like head and glowing, red eyes. It was also roughly the size of a large dog.

Much of the Hodag's magic was contained in its horns; when powdered they could make a person immune to the effects of alcohol and able to go without sleep for seven days and nights. It fed largely on Mooncalves. Hodags were thus attracted to Mooncalf Essence.

History

In the 1620s, Isolt Sayre and the Pukwudgie, William took trips together to observe these creatures hunting.

During its search for Mooncalves, the Hodag had been attracted to Muggle farms at night, piquing their interest, much like the Snallygaster. The MACUSA Department of No-Maj Misinformation had worked hard to convince the No-Maj community of America that sightings of Hodags were hoaxes. The Hodag was confined to a protected area around Wisconsin.

During the 1988–1989 school year, Rubeus Hagrid was gifted a Hodag from a friend, as it was terrorising their herd of Mooncalves. The Hodag preferred to bite Hagrid's fingers than eat a special feed Hagrid obtained from Wisconsin, and he had Jacob's sibling help control it.

Behind the scenes

• The Hodag is a mythical creature invented by a man named Eugene Shepard in the 1890s. Shepard tricked people into believing he had captured the beast, generating nationwide publicity before admitting the Hodag was a hoax. The creature remains the mascot of Shepard's hometown, Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Appearances

• Pottermore (First appearance)
• Harry Potter (website)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2017 edition)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Mentioned only)