Animagus Registry #121-140
#122 - ariake - Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned hawk: I am most like the sharp-shinned hawk. First of all, I am a person who is drawn to birds, though all of my choices were birds. I find that I identify with the freedom of the skies, and their grace and dignity.
The sharp-shinned hawk is a bird that lives in the northern part of the Americas, which is my own resident. I love the climate here, though I would love to able to migrate south like the sharp-shinned hawk does in the winter. The hawks almost always prefer forested areas or areas of dense vegetation, which I also prefer.
As for the coloring of the hawks, they are a mix of darker parts, with some white parts and blue-grey areas. Shades of blue are my favorite color, along with greens. The birds are really beautiful to look at.
When hunting, the sharp-shinned hawks display cunning and strategy. They often surprise their prey while they’re moving fast or hiding. This fits with my personality, because I choose my battles and attempt to use the elements of surprise to turn the situation so it is in my best interests. Also, the birds rarely will eat anything but other birds, which fits my personality since I actually detest insects of any kind.
When breeding, it is mentioned that sharp-shinned hawks are also very secretive as to how and where they nest and breed. I am also secretive about a lot of things, and try to keep things from others to keep my advantage and protect myself, much like these hawks do.
Overall, I’m very happy to be a sharp-shinned hawk. They are graceful and deadly, a very gratifying mix. They aren’t the top of the food-chain, but they are a long way from the bottom, and are magnificent creatures.
Sara, Slytherin
September 2007
#123 - bethyss18 - Chinese Water Deer
Of the several choices given for my Animagus, I find that the animal I feel would best represent me, and I it, is the water deer. I wrote in my application that deer held an exceptional place in my past, giving me a special connection to them through happy memories. Along with this connection, I share many qualities with the water deer.
Though it is commonly associated with traditional deer, the water deer holds a unique subfamily in the animal kingdom do to its unique anatomical structures, namely the presence of tusks. I find that while I am clumped into one group, such as my family or a specific social circle, but I feel that I am distinctly separated from those around me. Not necessarily because of any physical abnormalities but due to my need to question the unknown and not accept simple, conventional assumptions while everyone else seems content upon taking everything at face value. This way of thinking tends to set me apart from everyone I know.
This may explain why, much like the water deer, I tend to lead a solitary existence. While I do enjoy the company of others, especially loved ones, family, and friends, I find that I am more comfortable when I am spending time alone. Water deer have similar patterns of cohabitation and socialization. The only time they seem to commune with one another is during mating seasons and during the earliest parts of their youth. Each individual deer is dependent most upon itself. For the better part of my life, I have been taking care of myself in one way or another which has led me to be emotionally self-sufficient.
Also, water deer are very territorial. While aggressive preservation of their territory seems to occur predominantly in males, females also are very protective of their birthing territories, which could be considered a comfort zone for them. I, too, am protective of my space. I tend not to like other people in my comfort zone. For example, I never like sharing my bed with anyone and I have places where I go that few others frequent knows about, like the gazebo in my complex where I go to read. And, much like the female water deer who appear very defensive of their young after birth, I am very protective of my family. I will do anything to protect my parents and my brother because they are the most important part of my life. If anyone crosses one of them, I can become quite aggressive.
Beth, Ravenclaw
September 2007
#124 - darkclockwork - California Sea Lion
Found on both land and sea, the California Sea Lion is a beautiful and graceful creature, spending its time on land resting and breeding, and its time in the water traveling and hunting for food. It is such, to me, a complex creature that I can easily relate to, as well as strive to relate to as well.
The sea is both an expanse of mystery and intrigue, one that I have longed to explore. I envy these mammals because they can explore the coastal regions and beyond, living in a deep blue world. As an animagus, it would be something I would yearn for, to spend my time exploring the sea and resting on land. I do not think I would enjoy only being able to live in the water, so being able to explore a little bit of both worlds seems like a great thing to me.
In terms of personality, these mammals are most often seen as social, intelligent, adaptable, and playful. Males can be very territorial, while females spend a lot of time raising their pups. I can relate to certain traits of these animals well. Some of these traits are things that I am striving to become, and others I value and appreciate above all else. While I find it difficult to adapt to certain situations, I rarely fuss over change when it happens. I value intelligence and being comfortable with myself and my surroundings, and agility, which these mammals have an abundance of in the water. I am very loyal to the ones I am close to, as well as playful and easily amused. It is difficult for me to approach others that I feel uncomfortable with, but once given the opportunity to get to know them, I can become easily comfortable and social. As a mother myself, I am very nurturing and I enjoy having the chance to be a part of that.
So, as complex a creature they may be, I feel similar to these mammals in a variety of ways. I feel we share many traits, and I value other traits that they have. In conclusion, I feel as though the California Sea Lion and I are connected, by our love for the water and all that it offers, as well as my interest in these animals and how they've created their own little world, one that I would be very interested to be a part of.
Kris, Hufflepuff
September 2007
#125 - she_homunculus - Canadian Lynx
When I first looked over my list of animagus forms I was surprised to find two cats on the list. I have said in the past that I imagine I'd be some feline creature due to a certain efficiency of movement that felines and I seem to share, but hadn't expected two cats to be among my options. As I scanned the Wikipedia entries for each of my options I realised that y'all are right. I fit the cat category. I batted the options around for a while but finally settled with the Canadian Lynx since it seems we share the most behavioural/personality traits. The Canadian Lynx is a solitary, secretive, territorial and nocturnal creature and those are the traits I'm going to focus on for this short essay. (Sorry, years of analytic writing training are hard to squelch).
Space is like silence and there’s something about a quiet, introverted personality that requires both. This is the key both to the lynx personality and my own. I know a posteriori that I need to have time to myself and for my space to be my own in order to function as a thriving human being. The lynx seems to me to be similar.
Initially, I wondered what inspired a researcher to label a cat "secretive". After all, it's not as though the cat just refuses to open up and confide in him, right? All it can do is purr, meow and roar (though a lynx "roar" is more like a throat being cleared). The lynx I’ve come to learn is non-confrontational unless truly pushed into a corner. She’ll avoid hunting by scavenging during the early part of winter in particular, she’ll leave prey if there are signs that other predators are going to begin a fight over it and I have been known to avoid going downstairs or leaving the classroom if I can hear someone outside that is just going to take too much energy to deal with. (It’s not fear; it’s just knowing what’s unnecessarily an energy drain on yourself).
Actually the very fact that lynx are most active in the winter when most other animals are hibernating or have migrated says something about the general lack of curiosity on the lynx’s part. I tend toward late nights and early mornings and nap during the afternoons in order to avoid lots of interaction with people, and the few people that I know and like well, know this about me and respect it - some because they’ve backed me into corners socially and my claws have come out - but there’s something about early mornings and late nights that appeals to anyone who wants to be alone since the rest of the world is asleep and you have (what feels like) the entire planet to yourself.
It’s just an inkling of mine, but I’m fairly certain that some insomniacs are insomniacs because there’s no other way to get any time to themselves - and for both myself, and apparently the lynx, that time is necessary. I’ve planned it into my schedule for both play and work, in fact. I'm not only a member of hih_insomniacs, but I work at least three night shifts a week as an emergency dispatcher, (and usually end up awake during those hours on my nights off too). So the fact that nearly all the lynx's activity is nocturnal coincides nicely, even if the lynx uses the time to hunt, and I use it to get through my ever-growing to do lists, class assignments, and reading.
One last thing, and I know I’m over the word limit here, but I have to add this: I have always been the exception to every rule. I’m really, really one of a kind. I test as an INTP on the Myer-Briggs, and supposedly we’re something like 1% of the first world Western population, and INTP women are something like one quarter of that 1%. I’m also a synaesthete, and I’m a girl studying architecture, philosophy, and ancient Greek - all male dominated fields. I wondered if my animagus was going to reflect that somehow or if the solitary creature element was going to eliminate that somehow. It doesn’t. The Canadian Lynx is endangered, and I just have to say that here in hih_animagus was the last place I expected to come across a new environmental/animal world cause.
she_homunculus, Ravenclaw
September 2007
#127 - lyricalidol - Red Fox
The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) has the widest range of all species of fox. It is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including Asia, Europe and North America. It has also been introduced to Australia. When I saw the Red Fox as one of my options, I had to give a little laugh since it was what I picked for a different applicant. I was looking at the red fox, then and thought, “Hey that could work for me too. I immediately knew the Red Fox was perfect. I considered the other options (Common Barn Owl, Northern Cardinal, and Egyptian Mongoose) but I had my heart set on the Red Fox.
The Red Fox is most active during twilight and becomes very active at night when around a lot of humans. I am definitely a night person. My most active periods are between seven in the evening and one in the morning. I also love that sense of quiet and calm that comes after all the other humans go to bed. The Red Fox grows a warm coat of fur in the winter and sheds it in the spring. I love putting on a warm and cozy sweater when it is cold outside.
The Red Fox is mostly a solitary creature. As an only child, I savor my time by myself and rarely feel uncomfortable being alone. Despite being a lone animal, the Red Fox will pair up to hunt, mate (obviously), and raise kits. I also will work with others to accomplish a goal. Nonetheless, I prefer being in a smaller group. The Red Fox can be shy and rarely initiate aggressive encounters. Once provoked, they will act aggressively. This is especially true is they are attacked of if their kits are in danger. I am somewhat shy and I definitely try to avoid initiating a fight. Once I am provoked, I hold nothing back, especially when it concerns my family.
In folklore, the fox is seen as very cunning and sneaky. I like to think that I am the type to succeed through wit and cunning rather than brute strength. Overall, the Red Fox is the perfect fit for me. It is nocturnal, solitary, intelligent and is fiercely protective of its own.
Anie, Ravenclaw
September 2007
#129 - sunflower_pixie - Great Horned Owl
There are many similarities between myself and the Great Horned Owl, which makes them the perfect choice for my animagus. The Great Horned Owl has a large range and can be found as far north as the North American treeline (basically to the border of the Arctic) and as far south as the middle of Argentina in South America. This is a perfect match for me. Not only do I love to travel, I have lived in many different cities across the United States. As a child I lived in Massachusetts and Florida, then I moved to California when I was 22, Washington when I was 29, back to California briefly when I was 33, I currently live in Kentucky, and I know that I will live in other places before I die. I enjoy living in different areas and like the Great Horned Owl, I adapt fairly easily to wherever I move (though I admit small town Kentucky has been a challenge).
Like most owls, Great Horned Owls have excellent hearing and eyesight. I don't have great eyesight, but I do have incredibly sensitive hearing; I tend to hear things others don't and am often disturbed by the smallest sounds. Just as the Great Horned Owl becomes active as dusk, I find that I am at my most alert during the evening. I enjoy nighttime and find it invigorating. While the Great Horned Owl prefers to dine on rabbit, its diet is extraordinarily varied (with at least 253 identified prey species). I am similar in that aspect because while there are certain foods I enjoy more than others, I don't tend to be super picky and I'll usually eat what is available with little complaint. Great Horned Owls are solitary by nature just as I am.
However, it is where I differ from the Great Horned Owl that makes me glad to have it as my animagus form. Great Horned Owls are strong predators with only a very few natural enemies: other Great Horned Owls, and occasionally Northern Goshawks when there is a dispute over nesting sites. Great Horned Owls are considered the most dangerous of all owls and according to Wikipedia, they are the only bird of prey known to kill a human being (although this attack was triggered by the victim who was attempting to steal the owl's eggs). As someone who dealt with a lot of abuse as a child, it comforts me to know I have an animagus that is tough and can handle itself in a fight.
sunflower_pixie, Ravenclaw
September 2007
#130 - pearldrop - Sun Bear
The Sun Bear is the least studied bear, and very little is known about them. What is known fits my own characteristics rather well!
Sun Bears are small, half the size of an American grizzly, and have often been called things such as ‘the dog bear’ due to it. They live in hot, humid climates and do not hibernate. They are bowlegged and have ‘bare paws’, evolutionary traits that help them climb trees. They arboreal creatures, meaning they spend much of their time in trees. Their name in the Malay language is basindo nan tenggil which means “he who likes to sit high”. Sun bears are omnivores, eating anything from coconuts to lizards, ants, and small rodents. They are known for their long tongue that allows them to get honey and insects from tight places. Sun bears are not aggressive, but have the ability to defend themselves. They have four-inch long claws and sharp canines long enough to stick out between their lips. Also, despite the fact that they live in a very warm climate, they have a thick coat that helps protects them against twigs, falls, and the rain. Sun Bears are often seen in pairs and, as such, are assumed to be monogamous. Sun bear cubs are playful and good natured and as a result are often captured to be sold as pets. They are weaned from their mother at around four months, but remain with her for two years. Mothers will stand on their hind legs to carry their cubs around. Adult sun bears can also be playful, but are known to have a cranky disposition. Sun bears are extremely agile and often comical, according to the San Diego Zoo’s website.
The Sun Bear’s name in the Malay language implies that they like to live in trees. “Sitting high’ also implies a sense of self importance, which. Well. I share! I can be snobby sometimes, and I can admit it. Hey, I have standards. Plus I do enjoy climbing trees. Its fun and everyone should do it. Sun Bears are omnivores and will take what they can get, something I understand. Plus they love honey (they’re sometimes called honey bears) and I also have a sweet tooth. Due to their size and disposition they are not considered dangerous. I’m not a wild and crazy person, I wouldn’t hurt a fly. In fact, I avoid confrontation. But if it comes to me, I’m capable of defending myself, like a sun bear. My claws are just less physical, more metaphorical. I’m a fairly conservative dresser. I don’t like to wear skimpy things that show off a lot of skin. I rarely wear shorts, even during the summer. So I sweat it out like a sun bear. They have a thick coat for protection; I have jeans and t-shirt for decency, man. Sun bear cubs are playful and sweet, and as a kid, I was really laid back. Never caused any trouble, always put everyone ahead of me. I once slammed my thumb in a door, and then waited patiently while my teacher had a conversation because I didn’t want to interrupt her to tell her I was in a disgusting amount of pain. That’s changed. I’m still silly and avoid aggression, but I’m much better about speaking up for myself, and being assertive.
In conclusion. me, Sun Bear. Same thing, really.
Bethany, Ravenclaw
October 2007
#132 - chelsaphene - Gyrfalcon
I feel that I am most like the gyrfalcon, out of all the choices I was given. The gyrfalcon is very protective of its loved ones and territory, has a wide range of habitat, and is very clever. I feel that we share these same attributes.
I am extremely protective of my family and friends, and would do anything to help them. Even if I wouldn’t do the same for myself, in the same situation, I would do it for a friend in need. Also, if someone is threatening or just in general rude to someone I love, or even anyone, I feel that I have to stand up for them, regardless if its my business. I am also very touchy about where I live. I might hate it sometimes, but it makes me very angry when others poke fun at it.
Gyrfalcons range all the way across the Northern parts of North America, Europe and Asia. I would love to travel to all those places, all the time, especially in the Northern parts. I feel that I will live somewhere near there when I am older. They also can range to the northern parts of the states, and all the way up to the arctic coasts. I feel that I am able to adapt to just about anywhere I am put.
They are extremely clever and calculating. They only have one predator, the golden eagle, which only attacks them to protect its self. They have numerous ways in which they can forage for food, and use many intelligent flight patterns to attack and exhaust their pray.
These are the reasons I feel that the gyrfalcon is my Animagus form.
Chelly, Gryffindor
October 2007
#133 - ximxaxstalkerx - Spectacled Flying-Fox
When I saw spectacled flying-fox as a choice, I was instantly in love. I remember learning about these creatures from animal planet when I was about 10. They're mostly nocturnal. And I always do my best thinking/writing/talking/everything past midnight. I also just love sleeping all day. Flying foxes also live in huge groups, with adult males on the outside of the pack, and mother's that teach and protect their young. I'm drawn to this set-up, because I'm deeply connected to my family. I dont know where I'd be without them. They keep me stable.
Even if I don't wear glasses, I find these fruit bats so adorable. (I also love fruit!) A bit quirky, but I love being a little abnormal like that. As bats, they spend a majority of time hanging out upside down. I can see myself doing that just for the sake of getting a new perspective on things. I'm always looking for ways to understand the "other side" of the story.
They're also very vocal creatures. Which makes sense for me, because I know I can never shut up. I'm always making strange voices and communicating with my friends. They're native to Australia, and though I've never been there, I've always wanted to. Sadly, mostly due to loss of habitat, spectacled flying-foxes have been declared a "threatened" species.
ximxaxstalkerx, Slytherin
November 2007
#134 - whitestar_alpha - Timber Wolf
First I’d like to thank everyone who suggested the various creatures for my application. They were all fantastic choices. Some I had to eliminate because I wasn’t able to find enough information through a Google search to justify choosing that creature. The two animagi I’m most drawn to are the awesome Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Timber Wolf. The Eagle Owl was almost my first choice, but I chose not to go with it because of the fact it’s always solitary except during breeding season. I strongly prefer having my “mate” around so I couldn’t see my choosing the owl, although if I could have two animagi, I’d choose this one also :) So in the end I chose the Timber Wolf, which goes extremely well with my current obsession with Remus Lupin ^_^ I utter the words “I’m not worthy” to the person who suggested this animal for me.
Wiki supplied a tremendous amount of information that showed me how similar I am to the Timber Wolf. First was the fact that wolves can thrive in numerous environments including forests, mountains, tundra, and grasslands. All of these places I already enjoy or would like to visit someday.
What I found very amusing was the information about wolves coats. The coloration varies greatly, running from gray to gray-brown, all the way through the canine spectrum of white, red, brown, and black. This is exactly how I love to change the color of my hair! I fit perfectly with all the different colors of coats. And to top it off, there was additional info on how a wolf will lose it’s winter coat. I’ve always told my husband and hairdresser that I know when spring/summer is approaching because I’ll start shedding like a dog, lol. Thank goodness I have thick hair!
The social structure of a wolf pack is very similar to my family life while growing up. There was a definite dominant and submissive structure to my family group. Now my marriage is like the monogamous alpha wolf male and alpha female relationship. I never knew this but it seems that according to Wiki: wolves prefer psychological warfare to physical confrontations, meaning that high-ranking status is based more on personality or attitude than on size or physical strength. This is very similar to myself. I tend to actually retreat if a situation looks like it will turn violent. But I’m not afraid to confront someone verbally, even if they're larger than I am. This is something my husband is trying to remind me not to do because of all the crazies in the world.
It’s interesting to note that a pack can consist of a group of any where from 2-20 individuals. This sounds similar to me in social situations. I prefer small groups, but can function in a larger group if I must.
I loved reading about the body language of wolves. Wolves have a tremendous range of body expressions and vocalizations in order to communicate with their fellow pack members. I also rely on observing people’s body/facial language to a great extent in order to find out what the real meaning is behind people’s words. I've even read books about body language because I find the subject so interesting.
I was very surprised to find so many similarities between the Timber Wolf and myself, too many to continue listing in this short essay. Again thank you to the all the people who suggested an animagus for me, and especially the Timber Wolf! ^_^
Whitestar, Ravenclaw
November 2007
#136 - dorasolo - Yellow Lab
I have chosen the Yellow Lab as my animagus form. It was a difficult decision, but here are the reasons why I chose this for my animagus.
1. They are exceptionally affable, gentle, intelligent, energetic and good natured, making them both excellent companions and working dogs.
I consider myself to be affable, intelligent, energetic, and good natured. I wanted to be a good companion as an animal form because I am a good companion as a human. I am particularly happy with the fact that a Lab is a great working dog, because I am a hard worker when I want to be, and I have noble goals.
2. Labradors are an intelligent breed with a good work ethic. Common working roles for Labradors include tracking and detection, and disabled-assistance. .
I was a Criminal Justice intern while in law school, and that takes a lot of work. I also have a good work ethic to get things done and I am very determined to finish what I start. Tracking and detection is very useful for me as a criminal defense attorney because I need to find out the whole story so that I can help my client, who is accused.
Also, I think helping the disabled is one of the most noble, kind-hearted thing a person can do, so I believe that this dog would be a good form for me because that's one of their main jobs in general.
3. Because of their personalities, some Labs climb and/or jump for their own amusement. As a breed they are highly intelligent and capable of intense single-mindedness and focus if motivated or their interest is caught. Therefore, with the right conditions and stimuli, a bored Lab could "turn into an escape artist par excellence".
I like to amuse myself, too. I have ADHD, so most of the time it's hard for me to focus. However, when my interest is caught, I have a very driven, single-minded nature about my task. Even though Labs don't have escapism in their blood, they can if adequately bored. I'm exactly the same.
4. Their fun-loving boisterousness and lack of fear may require training and firm handling at times to ensure it does not get out of hand - an uncontrolled adult can be quite problematic. Females may be slightly more independent than males.
I am fun-loving and boisterous! I think this is a very Gryffindor trait. Although, I am an adult, and fairly uncontrolled at times. Perhaps I just need firm handling? XD
I am very independent, much moreso than many males, so I thought this was yet another similarity between myself and the Yellow Lab.
Finally, my dog is a Yellow Lab - Pitbull mix. I love her to death, so I am so psyched to be her as my animagus!
Lisa, Gryffindor
December 2007
#137 - ladywolfsong - Mexican Grey Wolf
The Mexican Gray Wolf is the smallest grey wolf subspecies present in North America, reaching an overall length no greater than 135 centimetres (53 inches) and a maximum height of about 80 cm (31 in). Weight ranges from 27 to 45 kilograms (60-100 pounds).
They live in small packs of 5-6 individuals, usually an alpha pair and their offspring. I don't like to be alone, but don't do well in large groups either, and my children are extremely important to me, so a "pack" of this size would suit me perfectly. I have very few close friends and much as I love my friends and love to be with them, too many at once or too much noise stresses me out. It's an odd mix, I definitely don't do well as a solitary, but it suits me. Having my mate, my 2 children, and maybe a couple of close friends around would be the ideal for me.
Mexican Grays, like other wolves, usually mate for life. That's my philosophy too...I hope to find someone I can be with and be devoted to for the rest of my life. I actually have that on my myspace page "If you don't want a true, honest, loving relationship...marriage and partners for life, please don't look here. Wolves mate for life!"
Wolves are my spirit guides, and I feel a yearning when I see them and a kinship with them. It feels like my soul is tied to them, so to be able to transform into one would be a joyous thing!
ladywolfsong, Hufflepuff
December 2007
#140 - guardoncrack - Golden jackal
Yeah, I just realized I took so long my computer logged me off, so here it is again. Sorry bout that.
It was a tough choice between the Aye Aye and the Golden Jackal, to be quite frank, but the Golden Jackal won in the end. The Golden Jackal is a mainly solitary animal, though it does work together with its family and other jackals. I can understand that as I don’t really like many people outside of my family. It gets along quite well with other predators, just as I get along with other people like me. Something else we have in common is an intense dislike of strange people and a great difficulty to tame (my parents are still trying). The GJ also has a distrust of humans which I can understand quite well.
They are very opportunistic animals, eating plants, animals, and scavenging if necessary. While I might not share their diet (except for fruit. We both like fruit), I consider myself opportunistic-never look a gift horse in the mouth and all that.
Another quality I share with the GJ is its hours of operation. The GJ is a primarily nocturnal creature, although they are also seen during the day. If it was feasible I would be a mostly nocturnal person, so I feel a bit jealous; as it is, I seem to split my time equally between when the sun is up and night time.
I’m a big family person, so I was pleased to learn that the GJ has a sense of family; they mate for life and older offspring often stick around to help raise their parent’s next litter.
On a shallow (read: physical) note, I like the GJ. It’s cute, it’s big, and it’s a predator. It looks like a cross between a fox and a dog, which makes me think they are both cunning (like a fox!) and fun-loving (like a dog!). Plus, it looks like me, with a really pretty golden-brown coat. Oh, and they attack human children occasionally, which is something I’ve been tempted to do almost daily.
guardoncrack, Gryffindor
December 2007
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