COMC-701 Lessons

Welcome to the Southside

Welcome back to Care of Magical Creatures! Today, I will be discussing two serpents that I’m sure many of you have heard of, whether it be from your parents telling you a scary story or reading about it in one of many available textbooks. These serpents are the basilisk and the horned serpent! Now, these creatures may be incredibly distressing to some, which I completely understand, so feel free to step out if the information presented here becomes too much for you to handle. With that warning, let’s dive in!

Basilisks: The Deadliest of Serpents

Herpo the Foul and the Creation of the Basilisk

I would like to start off today by discussing Herpo the Foul. While I recognize you may have discussed him previously, he is credited with the creation of the basilisk, and I feel it is important to better understand the wizard who felt creating a creature this deadly was necessary. For those of you unfamiliar with Herpo the Foul, he was a Greek Dark wizard that lived hundreds of years ago. He is credited with the creation of various Dark curses, most of which are too sinister to name, but two of his creations are particularly infamous: the basilisk and horcruxes. Yes, Herpo the Foul is credited with creating the first known horcrux. While this is something you will cover later on in Defense Against the Dark Arts, to me it is important to note that the basilisk was not his only Dark creation. Showing off his creation of one of the Darkest creatures the wizarding world has ever seen was not a one-off. 

But let’s get back to his basilisk! Herpo, after quite a bit of experimentation, managed to create the serpent from putting a chicken egg under a toad sometime during the tenth century while he was living in ancient Greece. Now, there is obviously so much more to it than that, but that isn’t something we will cover in this class. Mostly because, while incredibly illegal to have or attempt to breed a basilisk and I will not condone it, no one has ever been able to replicate his process besides Salazar Slytherin, that we can officially confirm. While it should come as no surprise that creating a Dark creature is fairly difficult, it might be surprising that so few seemed able to replicate his efforts. Surely, he left notes right? Or told other Dark wizards how to make their own, so all the Dark wizards could bring their basilisks together to create a large army of them (which is a nightmare I’ve had before)? However, most of the information the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures has is illegible. It looks like what many would call chicken scratch. It is various random scribbles, drawings, and phrases, which don’t seem to be coherent or go with each other at all. I haven’t even seen them; what I know is second and third hand from DRCMC employees. However, it is for everyone’s protection that his notes are not understood; there is no need for basilisks to continue to roam the Earth. However, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures has attempted to determine the creation method. Experiments have been conducted to determine if the type or color of chicken egg, type of toad, temperature, or environment have any impact on the creation of a basilisk. The DRCMC hopes that in understanding how these beasts are created, they will be better equipped to discourage the practice. 

Now, we believe Herpo only ever made one basilisk. Historical texts speak of him controlling one large snake, with that snake’s description never changing. Oral traditions and myths surrounding Herpo also only speak of one. It is thought that if he had additional basilisks, he would have told individuals about them, simply because of how much he bragged about creating the first. But, how could he control this serpent? Herpo was one of the earliest Parselmouths recorded in wizarding history. With the ability to speak to snakes, he would’ve easily been able to adequately communicate with and control the basilisk he created. 

Recent Sightings and Current Legislation

After the creation of Herpo’s basilisk, which was last sighted in the 16th century, there were no other known basilisks in Great Britain until 1943. This is when a basilisk was instructed to kill a Muggle-born student at Hogwarts. However, it was unclear to many at the time that a basilisk was responsible for the attack. This attack was written off, thought to be caused by a different creature that was being housed in the castle by a student. Then, when the serpent reappeared in 1993, it became obvious a basilisk was responsible for the attacks, especially after it was sighted. Many students were petrified before the attacks stopped. It is known now that this basilisk was created by Salazar Slytherin, the only other individual that we know of who knew how to create one of these creatures. This basilisk was killed, and parts of its skeleton remain beneath Hogwarts today.

Basilisk breeding was banned during medieval times, meaning it is one of the oldest breeding bans in history. Today, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures regularly and randomly inspects chicken coops owned by wizards to ensure people aren’t attempting to breed them (despite the fact that they’d have to be extremely lucky to do so correctly). By doing this randomly, the Department hopes to catch individuals off guard, so they don’t have time to hide their toad or chicken eggs. Additionally, the DRCMC hopes that the realization that the creature is uncontrollable, unless you are a Parselmouth, will deter efforts.

I wanted to just take a minute to discuss basilisk eggs. Now, the use of the phrase “basilisk egg” is an oxymoron. A basilisk egg simply refers to the chosen chicken egg that is placed under the toad. Basilisks cannot produce eggs. This is a common misconception that I wanted to take a moment to clear up.

But, What is a Basilisk?

The basilisk, commonly referred to as the “King of the Serpents,” is an incredibly large magical snake that was bred and utilized by Dark wizards. These creatures are given an XXXXXX classification by the Ministry of Magic, meaning they are a known wizard killer and cannot be domesticated. It should come as no surprise with that rating that their prey of choice are humans. Basilisks are thought to average fifty feet long, based on several measurements of dead specimens. They are commonly green in color with bright yellow eyes, and males have a scarlet plume on the top of their heads. This plume does appear to be the only difference between the sexes, but there is a chance that other differences have been discovered by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and have not been made public knowledge. 

The skin of a basilisk is very similar to that of a dragon, a creature we will be covering very soon in the course, and can deflect spells with ease. While their scales are said to feel no different than the scales of any other serpent or reptile recognized, sometimes described as incredibly smooth, they have an armour-like quality to them that causes the spells cast at the creature to bounce right off. In addition to their spell-proof skin, basilisks have a gaze that can cause death, and their mouth is full of venomous fangs. I will discuss these traits in just a few minutes, don’t you worry! 

Basilisks can live as long as 900 years, with one recorded as living over one thousand years. However, this estimate is based on very few known specimens, with only two being linked to specific individuals. This may not be representative of the species as a whole. Until the DRCMC is successful in creating a basilisk, or they find an illegal specimen, these samples are the only ones we have to base information on. Now, as you may have realized, one of these specimens is Herpo’s basilisk, whose length and age is known. 

Is It Really That Dangerous?

Basilisks have two abilities that can be lethal to anyone who experiences them: a death gaze and venomous fangs. Additionally, they can cause petrification in some circumstances, and while that won’t kill you, it will render you frozen until it can be corrected. Let’s begin with their venom, as I find it incredibly fascinating! 

Should you be bitten by a basilisk, their fangs will inject their venom into you. Their venom is incredibly potent, killing a full-grown adult in a matter of minutes. Depending on where in the body you are bitten, it can take anywhere from 90 seconds to five minutes for the venom to take effect and kill you. The closer to the heart you are bitten, the faster this is. If inclined to the macabre, you could actually watch the venom spread through your body, as your veins turn black as it moves. Should the venom not be injected into your body, such as spilling a vial of it and some of it touching your skin, you have more time to find and use the antidote, but the venom will eat away at your skin, muscle, and bone in that area until treated. The only known antidote for basilisk venom is phoenix tears. This is not a substance that everyone keeps around, so it is important to immediately go to St. Mungos or another healing agency that would have a supply of the potent remedy. 

Their venom is dangerous even after death. Should you find a dead basilisk, do not touch their fangs under any circumstances. Even one hundred years after death their venom is just as potent. Now, I am going to be blunt: there is no safe way to handle their venom. It will eat through dragonhide gloves, melt vials, and burn anything it touches. It is for this reason no one collects it or has attempted to find additional uses. It’s a tad hard to study something that can’t be safely contained. 

Let’s move on to their gaze. Looking directly at their eyes causes death instantly. There is nothing you can do to protect yourself from that. However, if you only see a reflection of their eyes, like in a puddle of water, you will be petrified rather than killed. Petrification renders you frozen in time, solid like a stone. This state can occur to humans, creatures classified as beasts and beings, and even spirits and ghosts. While the ghosts cannot die again, looking straight into a basilisk’s eyes will cause them to be petrified. Petrification is reversible with the Mandrake Restorative Draught. This potion is used to restore individuals to their original state, after they’ve been cursed or transfigured. However, it does take some time to brew, as mature mandrake roots are one of the main ingredients, and it does take quite a bit of time and energy to care for mandrakes to the point of maturity. An individual can be in a petrified state for an infinite amount of time. It is important to note that the individual isn’t aging or progressing in any way while petrified, so remaining petrified for years at a time is not ideal under any circumstances.

Signs a Basilisk is Near

I’d like to end this half of the lesson by quickly describing some key signs to look for, should you encounter a situation where you fear a basilisk may be present. One of the first things to look for is spiders. Identify if there are spiders in the area, and if so, in what direction they are moving. Basilisks are the mortal enemies of spiders, so spiders will flee from them, if a basilisk is present. Spiders of any size, even the large Acromantulas, will flee from the dangerous king among snakes. 

The second thing is simply to listen. Listen to the walls around you. Based on the few observations we have of basilisks, they seem to prefer to move about in ways that allow them to remain hidden, like pipes in walls. Then, when their victim least expects it, they pop out from their hiding spot, using their gaze to kill the individual. In open, outdoor areas, basilisks may lurk in the shadows, waiting for the most opportune time to strike. 

Finally, it is important to look for dead animals, or even humans. While many Dark and dangerous creatures will kill animals or humans, you can further inspect the prey for signs that a basilisk was the cause of death. Now, you typically can’t see puncture marks from snake bites, but because of the potency of their venom you will be able to see the darkened veins. There is also the possibility of finding a petrified individual. 

These steps are presented in no particular order. In fact, it is best to be watching for all at once. Utilizing all three should ensure you identify any dangers before your own death occurs (in the incredibly unlikely event that you should encounter one). On that note, I think we have covered everything you need to know about basilisks for now. Take a quick break before we move on to horned serpents.

Horned Serpents: Jeweled Serpents

What is a Horned Serpent?

For those of you who have read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them cover to cover, the horned serpent will be nothing new to you! This creature is a beast and has an official Ministry of Magic classification rating of XXXXX, due to their intelligence and for their protection. The horned serpent is best described as a thirty-foot long water-dwelling snake that possesses magical ability, but there are other distinguishable characteristics as well. They are known to be extremely intelligent animals. It has been said that if you ever meet one eye to eye, they have a look that is so fierce it is guaranteed to send a chill down your spine. It is a known fact that when a horned serpent senses danger, it will let out a very low, musical sound to let nearby creatures know. What is not as well known is that in Native American legends, the horned serpent is called the Unktehi and it is often portrayed as the enemy to the Wakinyan, which is what we call the thunderbird!

A Diverse Species

There were a handful of species of horned serpents, quite similar to dragons, but we are only going to be discussing a few today. It is believed that western Europe was the original home to horned serpents according to the records of past magizoologists. However, that known species is unfortunately extinct today. We do know that the horned serpent species that lived in western Europe was red in color. It was referred to as the Garnet Horned Serpent. This variation of the horned serpent was known to be fairly large, though not the largest known variation.

Garnet Horned Serpent

Next, in the Far East was the Labradorite Horned Serpent, which is pictured on the right. This species was actually the largest known variation, averaging forty feet long. Unfortunately, like the Garnet variety, this species no longer exists. We will get more into their cause of extinction soon. Notice the bright blue-purple color of this species, which is very similar in color to a North American species we will discuss in just a moment.

Labradorite Horned Serpent

As you’re probably already gathering, this is a very diverse creature and this rings true specifically for the horned serpents that still exist today in North America. The horned serpents that live in North America have always been the most common and the most diverse. In fact, there are several species that still exist today. The first and most common species is the Obsidian Horned Serpent. This species has glittering, black scales with striking blue eyes. It is typically found in the United States, and to some extent can be found in Canada as well, though this is not as common.

Obsidian Horned Serpent

There is also the Lapis Horned Serpent which lives in more tropical or forested areas, especially on the west coast of the United States. This species is the shortest of all known species, averaging twenty-five feet long. Lastly, we have the Jade Horned Serpent which can be found in swamps and bogs and is actually the smallest known species of horned serpent. Each creature is unique by size and color and even their locations. But they all possess the level and type magical qualities. These North American horned serpents have jewels on their foreheads, which is unique to species in this region. These jewels are very beautiful, and are known to grant temporary abilities of flight and invisibility.

Jade Horned Serpent

It is important to note that all horned serpents have a horned head, which should come as no surprise based on their name. Even the females have horns, although the horns generally are much smaller than the males. This is a sexually dimorphic creature, so generally females are smaller in size than males. There have been female horned serpents that are equal in size to their male counterparts noted, however this typically happens when a particular specimen has higher than normal testosterone levels. It is not common, however, and magizoologists are unsure of why this may happen, or what environmental factors may play a role in these elevated levels.

Habitat & Diet

I mentioned before that the horned serpent is a water-dwelling creature, so their habitats should come as no surprise. Horned serpents have been known to live in creeks, swamps, and rivers; this rings especially true for the North American species, as they tend to be smaller than the extinct species. The larger species that lived in the Far East and western Europe lived in larger bodies of water such as lakes.

These creatures have a diet that consists mainly of fish and amphibians, but larger, mature adults have been known to eat water-dwelling mammals or even birds. The young and small serpents will eat roughly once a month, while the bigger, adult counterparts will eat once a week due to the amount of energy they need to sustain their large bodies.

Horned serpents are ectotherms, which plays a big role in their diet. Since they have no way to internally regulate their body temperatures or metabolism, they heavily rely on their diet and habitat to maintain their homeostasis. They need their homes to stay at a pretty constant temperature. During the colder months, their metabolism slows down, so the need for food is not as high as it is during warmer months, when they will be eating more frequently.

Humanity Strikes Again

So what happened with the species that lived in western Europe and the Far East? Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the main reason for their extinction was the selfishness of wizards and witches. In the Far East and western Europe, the horned serpents were a commodity for wandmakers. They would take the shavings from their horns and use them as wand cores. Wands with this core were known to attract the most intelligent witches and wizards and were thought to choose only the very powerful. The rise in popularity of these wands became dangerous for horned serpents. Their horn shavings have also been used in potions as well. Due to the unique qualities that the horned serpents possess, they have always been a target for poachers. 

This is still a problem today in North America, as those species have jewelled foreheads. These jewels are the most sought-after part that any horned serpent has to offer due to its magical qualities. However there are regulations now that have drastically improved the rate at which the creatures were being poached. The Magical Congress of the United States of America (or MACUSA) now heavily fines all poachers, especially those that threaten a protected species. This is enforced by the Body for Protection of Magical Species, the department equivalent to the DRCMC in the United States. This department even has protected reservations in place where horned serpents can live peacefully. It also doesn’t hurt that they are able to camouflage well in their habitats, due to their color. 

It is still possible to get the ingredients that come from horned serpents, though they are hard to find. You may find them in a specialty apothecary at a very high price. This is due to the fact that only licensed magizoologists can legally harvest these ingredients, and the serpent must have died from natural causes. Although, there are legends that say some have received these ingredients in other humane ways. 

The Legend of Isolt Sayre and the Horned Serpent

One such legend is that of a witch named Isolt Sayre. This name may sound familiar to you. This is not only because Sayre was one of the founders of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but also because this same story (or a form of it) is part of our History of Magic curriculum. It is said that one day, Sayre was exploring Mount Greylock, which is located in present-day Massachusetts, when she came across a creek. From the creek emerged a horned serpent. The creature startled her at first; being stared at with those piercing eyes would make anyone feel at least a little unsettled. However, she soon found out that she was able to understand this serpent. The serpent told her this: 

“Until I am part of your family, your family is doomed.”

This was a frightening thing to hear as Sayre had no family of her own at the time. She thought that perhaps she was just imagining the serpent communicating with her. However, this did not stop her from returning to visit the serpent. She came back several times throughout the years, and the serpent kept telling her the same cryptic thing. Eventually, Isolt Sayre did start a family.

She had already had children by the time she began to think of houses for her new school. She chose to honor her horned friend by naming her house after it. After this gesture, Sayre had what you might consider to be a rather prophetic dream right before her son Chadwick’s eleventh birthday. In this dream, she promised to present her son with a wand, but she wasn’t sure what to use for the core. She decided to go to the creek to consult her friend. The horned serpent emerged from the water and it offered her a sliver of its magnificent horn. 

Sayre woke from her dream and immediately ventured to Mount Greylock to find the serpent from her dream. She made a wand for her son Chadwick, and did the same for her second son Webster. Later, these wands warned the brothers of the threat of Gormlaith Gaunt, the pure-blood supremacist and Sayre’s own aunt. This was the fulfillment of the horned serpent’s warning from all those years ago. Some people think this is a made-up story. I, on the other hand, personally think it is highly possible, as these animals are incredibly intelligent and Isolt may have possessed some ability with Parseltongue. 

Closing

That’s it for today’s lesson! I will see you all back here next time for what I know has been a very long-awaited lesson. Until then, you have one quiz to complete today covering this lesson’s topics. It’s very simple, so I have no doubt you’ll all do well. Between now and the next lesson, make sure you’re studying for your midterms! Class dismissed!

Lesson content written by Professor Elizabeth Anne and former professor Aurelia Cattercorn

All pictures are found using the Google Images search engine, and belong to their owners. Two horned serpent images (Labradorite and Obsidian) were recolored from this image and continue to belong to the original artist