Harry Potter's Enchanting Pets

Perhaps the most recognizable owl at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the one belonging to Harry Potter. Hedwig, a snowy owl, is a birthday gift presented to Harry by his great friend, Rubeus Hagrid.

Hedwig is a faithful friend and messenger, even riding with Harry and Ron Weasley in the Weasley family’s flying car.

Ron’s pet rat isn’t a rat at all, but a man in Animagus form. The double agent Peter Pettigrew spends 12 years living as Scabbers, until he is later exposed and goes to serve the dark lord, Voldemort.

Sometimes called a “monster” and a “small tiger,” Crookshanks is Hermione Granger’s half-cat, half-Kneazle. Crookshanks is highly intelligent and knows right away that Scabbers should not be trusted.

Neville Longbottom’s pet toad, Trevor, is a gift to celebrate Neville’s admission into Hogwarts. Neville has a tendency to lose Trevor during his time at the school.

Hagrid, though he cares for many creatures, has a special connection with Fang, his dog. And while Fang looks intimidating, he’s actually a softie.

Another of Hagrid’s pets is Buckbeak, a Hippogriff that gets sentenced to death by the Ministry of Magic but is later rescued by Harry and Hermione.

The Weasley family’s owl Errol doesn’t have the best eyesight because of his old age and often hits things or gets lost in flight.

Lord Voldemort’s pet snake, Nagini, helps him get his body back after he tries to kill Harry as a baby and continues to help the former Tom Riddle throughout her life. SPOILER ALERT: Neville Longbottom eventually kills her.

Pig comes into Ron’s life after Scabbers goes back to being Peter Pettigrew. The owl is loud and annoying, but Ron loves him anyway.

Hedwig’s dignified air makes her a lovable character, and she, along with the other owls, might have inspired some Potter fans to kidnap wild owls.

While she serves Harry devotedly throughout her life, Hedwig eventually dies – SPOILER ALERT – falling to her death after being struck by a Death Eater’s curse.