Magical Creatures

Abraxan
An Abraxan is a breed of Winged horse. It is a gigantic, extremely powerful Palomino. Madame Olympe Maxime, breeds them, and uses them to pull the Ministry's carriage. They drink only single malt whiskey and require forceful handling.

Its name is derived from Abraxas, one of the horses of Aurora, the Dawn, in Roman mythology.



Acromantula
The Acromantula is a species of giant spider, native to the rain-forests of Southeast Asia, particularly Borneo. Acromantulas are believed to be a wizard-bred species, designed to guard dwellings or treasure hordes, and were first created before the Ban of Experimental Breeding in 1965. These giant spiders, with a taste for human flesh, were first spotted in 1794.

Physical Description
Acromantulas have eight eyes, are highly intelligent and capable of human speech. They are typically covered in black hair, with a leg span that can reach up to fifteen feet. They possess a set of giant fangs which they use to eat live prey of mammals or their own dead kin. The pincers produce a clicking sound when the beast is agitated or excited. These fangs contain highly toxic venom, valued at 100 Galleons a pint, which is even potent for a short time after death. Due to the nature of an Acromantula, the venom is virtually impossible to collect from a live specimen. The venom is easier to collect after the death of the creature, but since the venom dries out not long after death, a wizard must be swift in collecting it. Acromantula venom is a substance that is capable of destroying Horcruxes. The eggs are Class A Non-Trade-Able Material.

The female is usually larger than the male, and can lay up to one hundred soft, wide, beach ball-sized eggs at a time. They usually hatch in six to eight weeks. Despite the names bearing a phonetic similarity to Tarantulas, they are closer looking to Wolf Spiders, and are araneomorphae.

Habitat
Acromantulas tend to reside in jungles and heavily forested areas, and their webs are large and dome-shaped.

Acromantulas in the Wizarding World
A colony of Acromantulas was established in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by Aragog and his mate, Mosag. Aragog was released into the Forest by Rubeus Hagrid in 1943.

During the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament, an Acromantula is positioned close to the Triwizard Cup.

The eight eyes of the Acromantula are used to symbolize the number eight in the runic alphabet.