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_J.K._Rowling_-_Fantastic_Beasts_and_Where_to_Find_Them_20140530113147938_784

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highly organised communities varying in size according <strong>to</strong><br />

habitat, <strong>and</strong> some have elaborately constructed dwellings. Like<br />

the centaurs, the merpeople have declined “being” status in<br />

favour of a “beast” classification (see Introduction).<br />

The oldest recorded merpeople were known as sirens (Greece)<br />

<strong>and</strong> it is in warmer waters that we find the beautiful mermaids<br />

so frequently depicted in Muggle literature <strong>and</strong> painting. The<br />

selkies of Scotl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Merrows of Irel<strong>and</strong> are less beautiful,<br />

but they share that love of music which is common <strong>to</strong> all<br />

merpeople.<br />

Moke<br />

M.O.M. Classification: XXX<br />

The Moke is a silver-green lizard reaching up <strong>to</strong> ten inches in<br />

length <strong>and</strong> is found throughout Britain <strong>and</strong> Irel<strong>and</strong>. It has the<br />

ability <strong>to</strong> shrink at will <strong>and</strong> has consequently never been noticed<br />

by Muggles.<br />

Moke skin is highly prized among wizards for use as<br />

moneybags <strong>and</strong> purses, as the scaly material will contract at the<br />

approach of a stranger, just as its owner did; Moke-skin<br />

moneybags are therefore very difficult for thieves <strong>to</strong> locate.<br />

Mooncalf<br />

M.O.M. Classification: XX<br />

The Mooncalf is an intensely shy creature that emerges from its<br />

burrow only at the full moon. Its body is smooth <strong>and</strong> pale grey,<br />

it has bulging round eyes on <strong>to</strong>p of its head, <strong>and</strong> four spindly legs<br />

with enormous flat feet. Mooncalves perform complicated<br />

dances on their hind legs in isolated areas in the moonlight.These<br />

are believed <strong>to</strong> be a prelude <strong>to</strong> mating (<strong>and</strong> often leave intricate<br />

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