Animagus Registry #688 - 724
#688 - partitioning - Leonberger
My choices for my animagus form are the Olympic Black Bear (which I don't relate to at all), the Mountain Gorilla, and two breeds of dogs, the Leonberger and the Bulldog. While I also feel that the Mountain Gorilla would fit me very well, I happily choose the Leonberger as my new animagus form.
Overall, the Leonberger fits everything I want from an animagus form: large size, protectiveness, cozy fur. I've also always liked them as a breed and was happy to see it was among my choices. (Incidentally, this breed was suggested when I originally applied to be an animagus but it was not among my choices. If it had been, I would have undoubtedly picked it.)
Quoting from this video, the following statements show why the Leonberger is a perfect choice for me, both in what I want from an animagus form and what connects me to the animal. The video says, "Because of their massive size, all they need to do to protect you is just stand there and give you a look." This is perfect for me because I wanted a form that could protect without actually getting in a physical altercation. It continues to describe the breed as "nothing more than big old warm and fuzzy mushes," which completes my desire to be physically tough but gentle. Look how sweet this one is with this baby!
The video also describes them as smart and trainable but very sensitive. I have always been smarter than most of my peers so that fits me but even more so their sensitivity fits me. They get upset when they aren't good dogs and I take criticism very personally. They get upset when their people are arguing and I'm very empathetic and the moods of those around me affects my mood greatly.
Visually, they fit my admittedly confusing color of hair in that there are multiple shades present without clear delineation between them. The breed is also from Germany which fits my German-Irish descent.
Something that was mentioned in some of the responses to my application was that they felt a dog did not fit me because I am not energetic and dogs are energetic. As someone who has spent an extreme amount of time around dogs, both at home and at work, I can confidently say that "energetic" does not describe all breeds of dogs. There is actually a wide variety of energy in dog breeds. Large dogs in particular mirror my own energy. I am known to a have short bursts of energy followed by long periods of calm. This is very true of large dogs. (The last thing you want in your home is a 150-pound dog bouncing off the walls.)
I'm very happy to finally have an animagus form that I feel a strong connection with. I've always wanted one as a pet but they're rare where I am and therefore very expensive. Now I can be one myself!
Meg, Ravenclaw
2015-04-11
#689 - walkerfables - Garden Tiger Moth
I have chosen the Garden Tiger Moth as my animagus form.
Moths make me think of one of my favorite video games, Bioshock, and how Sander Cohen addresses the player ("Come into the light, little moth, come in." / "Fly little moth! Fly!”) during his eerily fascinating section of the game.
Moths were the main subjects in my biology class lessons about survival of the fittest and natural selection. These lessons used to fascinate me, and in a strange way, gave me hope that there was a reason for the bad things that happened in my life. Like the moths in those lessons, I’m resilient and I’m still here.
The garden tiger moth has a variety of hidden defense mechanisms: poisonous body fluids, red wing coloring, and the ability to play dead. These would serve me well if I ever found myself in trouble and fit with my usual approach to dealing with threats. I prefer stealth over direct conflict, but will rise to the challenge (flash the red on my wings) if threatened.
I love how the garden tiger moth combines the physical qualities I was looking for in an animagus form in an unexpected way. It’s a tiny creature with wings that at least vaguely looks like a member of the cat family and shares its name. I’ve always loved cats, both big and small. I also want to be able to fly and maybe take advantage of my small form to do some harmless snooping.
Like the moth, I am a nocturnal creature who likes chilling in damp areas, especially if that means rain. Listening to rain sounds on the RainyMood website often helps me feel better and I love how it smells outside during a storm.
Walker, Hufflepuff
2015-06-25
#692- chloeaddison - Snow Leopard
One of the voters voted for the Red Panda as my animagus, and secretly that’s an animal I’ve always felt some connection with so if that were an option I’d have chosen it immediately. Since it wasn’t I vacillated between the Glacier Bear and the Costa Rican Cougar for a few days before settling on the Glacier Bear. (Did I mention in my app that I collect teddy bears?)
LilacMermaid, the voter who suggested the Glacier Bear, leaned toward a bear because I prefer omnivores, despite being vegan myself. My relationship with food is a complicated one: I’m mostly vegan. And I say that I mean, I don’t eat dairy, and I eat meat on the very rare occasions that a meat dish has some cultural importance (lamb at Easter, for example) - and then I get the meat from specific sources that I trust to have healthy meat, and responsible environmental habits. (I’m having more and more difficulty justifying even that sort of thing to myself lately though.) So, I appreciate that the bear is not only a forager for berries and unattended food at campsites, but also a “gentle predator” (which is to say you’ll never come across a bear’s kill in the woods the way you would come across a mauled carcass left behind by lions, or some sort of hunting pack of wolves or wild dogs).
She also noted my preference for solitude, and cool rainy habitats near the ocean. The Glacier Bear not only correlates to those points of my personality but that the blue-black colour my hair has been matches up with the Glacier Bear’s blue, black and/or silver coat. In doing a little research of my own I’ve discovered that even people who live in the wilds of Alaska don’t see these bears often. I like that because while I am not anti-social - I have friends and love them - I certainly prefer my own company to being social. It seems that these bears feel the same.
Chloe Addison, Ravenclaw
2015-08-17
#693 - etudissal - Snow Leopard
Snow leopards are solitary but not aggressively territorial. Similarly, I’m an independent introvert but not overtly antisocial. I enjoy the company of select friends, but am a-okay with doing my own thing, too, and even prefer this most of the time. Snow leopards are well known for being secretive and conflict avoidant; they’re very unaggressive towards humans and even abandon kills if outright attacked. I’m notoriously private and a bit of a liar, and dislike confrontation. In general I’m indifferent to a lot of things, which makes me likely to comply or just move around a conflict.
Like snow leopards, I’m an opportunistic eater. Snow leopards will even consume vegetation if prey is scarce enough; I’ll eat free food even if it’s something I don’t particularly enjoy. Like Jimmy John’s. I’m sick to death of Jimmy John’s.
I enjoy having a schedule and am prone to backup plans. While snow leopards are generally active, travelling throughout their territory, they have favored sleeping and denning areas. They’re also ambush predators that stalk their prey, thus demonstrating traits of habitual planning. Snow leopards also have excellent camouflage and are frustratingly elusive, allowing them to stalk prey even with limited cover. I hate suddenly being forced into the spotlight, and I imagine a snow leopard would be similarly appalled to have their cover blown. Snow leopards are the only member of the Panthera genus that are unable to roar and instead communicate via scent marking and scratching; this might relate to my preference for subtlety and staying low key, but more fundamentally, I’m not a very noisy person.
Snow leopards match me unsettlingly well behaviorally, but there are some physical aspects I can relate to. I prefer cold environments, aka the snow leopard’s natural habitat. They’re the smallest species within the Panthera genus, which is great, because I too am small. Also, they’re fluffy apex predators, which is basically all I’ve ever wanted from life.
Grace, Slytherin
2015-11-22
#694 - wildling - Red Fox
Red foxes are both solitary and social animals, which mirrors my own preferences: I’m an extrovert, but I need a lot of alone time. Along that same line, they’re mostly nocturnal, which-- though I do my best to be otherwise!-- I think would be beneficial. I always seem to take ages reflecting on my day and it can be so difficult to unwind: while as a human I would definitely never hunt (recreationally, at least), I can see how it might suit me as a canine.
Another striking thing about the red fox is that contrary to popular belief, they rarely use dens: more often than not, they curl up outside to sleep out in the open. When they do seek shelter underground, they “borrow” dens from animals who have vacated the premises… which is practically as Gryffindor as it gets, if I do say so myself. Like the red fox, I am also very resourceful: I’m quick and clever, and I’m able to make the most of nearly anything. I wouldn’t call myself cunning-- I value honesty far too much for that-- but that isn’t to say I have no talent for it (I mean, your average Slytherin would probably be a nervous wreck around my total inability to plan, but IMPROVISATION ISN’T ALWAYS DISASTROUS… just a lot of the time).
I’m a wanderer in that I have trouble staying still, both in the literal sense and the broader one. The former applies to foxes as a species, always “up and at ‘em”, so to speak. The latter ties in because like me, they tend to gravitate toward forest settings, but-- also like me-- they are adaptable and can thrive in more or less any environment. I’ve always loved foxes because they’re just fascinating, beautiful creatures, so I’m both proud and flattered that things turned out this way! Before now, I never thought much about being similar to one, but I think we’re a good fit: when I think of red foxes, I think playful and self-sufficient and crepuscular. This insomniac lion can relate.
Kate, Gryffindor
2015-11-22
#695 - fenrir_beloved - Grizzly Bear
Aw, you gave me a wolf as one of my choices. I am about 99.99% certain that the wolf is my spirit animal. And I would have selected the wolf option...if it was a breed closer to my ancestry relevance (northern europe (european, italian, tundra) and northern american continent (eastern timber, labrador, north american red)).
So without a wolven choice I feel connected to I will have to go with the Grizzly. (Ironically I believe my father to have a bear spirit and my mother to have a cougar spirit...ironies abound in my choices.)
I suppose in a way the bear would make an obvious choice for me, I am very much like my father in many aspects. The Grizzly Bear is strong, without needing to prove it every day. Just when someone happens to appear as a threat and that is mainly in regards to the presence of cubs. In the places where the wild animals are, more predators sense you then you do them. They prefer to get the hell away from humans. Smart.
I am extremely protective of those I deem to be mine. If someone is irritating, annoying or bullying my people I do the whole huffing, and stand tall posturing of ‘you better back off if you’re smart’ vibe. If the challenger persists...well I am not a great or graceful fighter, but I go for blood until I feel you’ve learned your lesson.
I love food. It’s for hard for me to not graze all day long. And that’s pretty much what bears do. They go around taking berries of bushes, seeds from bird feeders, and grasses from the earth. However, I don’t like salmon (or most fish) but Grizzlies love them. Understandable, as they go for the fish in the spring when they need to restore all the fat and nutrients their bodies have used in the winter. I will stick to my cow, buffalo, pig, chicken, turkey and sheep thank you. And have you tried elk or deer? Yummy.
Also, as with many people, I find winter to make me dull (seasonal blues or something). Emotionally, mentally, physically. It gets dark out at 4pm and by 4:30 I’m crying for my bed. The cold air and snow make me huddle under layers of sweaters and blankets, refusing to move. If I could hibernate like a bear I would do so in a heartbeat.
Fenrir, Hufflepuff
2015-12-27
#696 - wolf - Tundra Wolf
I've always felt an affinity for wolves, even from a young age. There's just something so wild and free about these creatures that I can't help but love them! The Tundra Wolf is a good fit for me as an animagus form because, as I mentioned in my application, I wish nothing more than to run free. I also prefer cool to cold temperatures, like having the earth beneath my feet most of the time, and being able to immerse myself fully in nature. For the Tundra Wolf, their packs are small (5-8 members), and this also fits with me as a person as well. I am not an overly-social individual, so I have a very close-knit group of friends, many of whom I now consider family. I feel very protective of my loved ones in general, so it's very fitting that I would have an animagus form that is a pack-animal - one that is capable of handling threats and protecting those of their pack who need it. As a person, I'm pretty mellow, but once angry I can be very intimidating and my temper runs hot. (Snarling wolf, anyone?) All of these points, among others, fit in my opinion! Also, in my animagus form, being able escape the dredges of everyday life and to experience the world in a different way sounds amazing. I could definitely escape in my wolf form!
As far as Hogwarts is concerned, I would love being able to walk the school grounds in as an animal (despite the fact that witches and wizards who are animagi keep their minds during the transformation) to see everything from a different perspective; the world would still look different! I would also really enjoy exploring the Forbidden Forest, searching out the wildlife and any other strange things that are hiding in the dark. I'm curious by nature, so being able to explore new places and discover new things like this would be beyond awesome! Overall, out of the choices given to me, I feel that the Tundra Wolf is the best fit!
Melissa, Ravenclaw
2015-12-27
#698 - burningxhope - Arctic Wolf
Arctic wolves are shorter than grey wolves, which is perfect for me, since most of my cousins are a taller than me by at least a foot. I'm small and somewhat bulky, which goes hand in hand with the Arctic wolves and their stature. They also rarely come into contact with humans, and being a sort of awkward and not overly social, I can really relate to these beautiful creatures. Being the sort of person that also enjoys the colder weather, and gets positively cranky when I get too hot, the positively frigid temperatures would be something that I would be comfortable in, especially if I have thick fur covering my body.
I've always been the sort of person who has been more of a loner, except when I'm with select people who I care about. Even though those people aren't my family, I consider them to be my family, and I'm very protective of them, much like a wolf pack. Those people have also thought of me to be very wolf like in that respect.
All in all, when it comes right down to it, I feel as though the Arctic wolf is the best fit for me and my lifestyle and general comfort. I can be with my small close knit pack, remain a carnivore, and live in the cold weather with my thick fur. I also don't have to deal with many humans, which is an added bonus.
Heather, Slytherin
2015-12-27
#699 - refuse2shine - Maine Coon
I have a personal connection with Maine Coon cats as I actually owned one for a few years of my life. I find them to be sociable but, like most domestic cats, do like their space which fits me to a T. They have nice long fur, which I think would suit me as well, as I have long hair that I am proud of. They are a natural breed of North America which is perfect since I too am from North America and have had family here for many generations. They are a larger breed of cat and I am tall and not necessarily the tiniest person. They are also domesticated and can live in urban areas which is something I would prefer. An important trait of Maine Coons is that they have adaptations for colder weather. Since I live in an area where it gets cold and snowy, this is rather important. Maine Coons are vocal cats, and I do tend to be a pretty chatty person once you get me going. Maine Coons also like water, despite being land animals which fits me very well as I love to swim but in the end, I'd prefer to live on land. Overall, I feel a Maine Coon is what will fit me as my Animagus form the best.
Kaitlyn, Hufflepuff
2016-02-04
#701 - hiraeth - Devon Rex
Friendly.
Needing physical and emotional attention.
A food hound.
Yes, I do believe that the Devon Rex is the animagus for me.
At first, the rather odd shape of the typical Devon Rex's ("DR") head didn't really grab me in a positive way. Described as alien-like by the CFA, the DR's head does take some getting used to but I also have some physical aspects that other people may not like too much. Well, to them the DR and I both say bugger off. We are beautiful.
The DR and I share more than just physical attributes, of course. The DR loves to be close to its people, or, more specifically, its person. I appreciate solitude but one on one time is also very pleasing to me. I would very much like to spend time with one specific person. Actually, I guess I already do - my husband. So the DR and I have that in common. The DR is naturally curious and I do believe I am too, maybe to a lesser extent, but enough to matter. We also share an aptitude for mischief when we are so inclined. I indicated in my animagus application that I wanted an birds eye view of the world and the DR allows me that because the DR, too, enjoys finding a perch above its surroundings and observing a bit. I find the food hound nature of the DR hilarious more than anything because my cat who is not a DR, exhibits some of the same behaviors (he loves turkey more than any cat should). It would be interesting to be on the other side of this kind of behavior.
Perhaps the part of the DR's personality that I most strongly identify with is its dog-like loyalty and dedication. I am very dedicated and devoted to my friends and family. I love how the DR shows its loyalty and love by craving physical closeness to those it loves. As I stated in my application, physical touch is very important to me.
PLEASE LET ME BE A PIXIE CAT, OKAY?
thnx.
Ashley, Hufflepuff
2016-03-01
#704 - dontjudgeme - Masai Lion
I picked the Masai Lion for my Animagus form. It's a pretty big change from my previous form of African Forest Elephant (from prey to predator), but it feels like it fits better. Like elephants, lions live in matriarchies, something that I strongly identify with in my own life. My sister and my mother are two of the people I love most in the world, and I can't imagine trying to lead a life without them.
We're both territorial, and I spent some time in Florida only to realize that Maryland (and where my family lives) is really home to me. And lions spend a good amount of their days napping, which fits with my own lazy lifestyle (although I'd love to be as strong and powerful as a lion is naturally, but I guess that takes some work).
Although Lou probably didn't know that the vote was for me, reading it felt like talking to someone who understood me. I struggle with strong emotions like jealousy, which lions exhibit (especially male lions), and am incredibly affectionate if you'll let me be. Lions have built an incredible repertoire of ways to communicate their feelings: through their tone when making sounds, movements of their tails and head, even facial expressions and posturing. Although lions are powerful and majestic creatures, they're also shown as lazy idiots in nature sometimes, and I FEEL THAT, LIONS.
They're social and live in prides of however many individuals (usually a small group) and that reflects my own social group -- though I have many acquaintances, there are few that I would feel comfortable including in my inner circle.
In addition to the similarities I feel with lions, I've also always felt an affinity to them. I love cats in general, and when you turn my beloved kitty cat into a giant prowling predator it turns out that doesn't endear them to me any less.
I was 8 years old when I saw The Lion King in its animated glory, and I was nearly twenty when I saw the stage version. Both first times made me cry, especially with the lyrics for He Lives in You ("He lives in you, He lives in me. He watches over Everything we see. Into the water, Into the truth, In your reflection, He lives in you"). I still can't figure out if the He in the lyrics means (to me) my idea of God or a higher power or if it's something more simple like my grandfathers and all my relatives that came before me and built lives that led to my own. I can relate a lot to Simba in both incarnations of the plot. My father has lived, but with his life come expectations of who I should be, along with feelings of not being able to live up to what is expected of me.
On a lighter note, Gryffindor's mascot is a lion. I started my experience in HiH in Gryffindor, and while I've now been in Ravenclaw for longer than I was in the red and gold tower, a lot of people (I suspect) would tell you that Gryffindor is my primary house. Picking a lion is either a genuine or cheeky response to those thoughts (I still have no idea what my primary house actually is myself). I like the idea of a non-HiH-Gryffindor holding HiH's only Gryffindor mascot manifestation. It's HILARIOUS, THINK ABOUT IT.
But really I just love kitties.
Christa, Ravenclaw
2016-03-30
#705 - gh0sts - Pallas's Cat
The second I saw my choices of animagi, I knew I was a Pallas's Cat. I barely had to even consider the possibilty that I may be anything else, because I know which animal I connect with strongest.
A Pallas's Cat (also known as a Manul) is about the size of a domestic house cat, and in many ways it could be considered very like the average house cat. The cat is rather stout, stocky and plush-like (read: fluffy), and as strange as it may seem, I see my non-human self like that. I am around average height, maybe just below, and I'm quite a rounded girl (something I'm at ease with). The Manul's coat darkens in the winter and becomes less patterned; as someone who changes their hair colour more or less every season, I identify with that. Sometimes it's good to go with the season.
A Pallas's cat is quite a solitary animal, and this is something I feel I very strongly connect with. I am loner by nature; I have lots of amazing friends, but I enjoy my privacy. Like the cat, I am also quite territorial (read: don't touch my stuff). They tend to sleep until the late afternoon and prefer the shelter of a dark cave or burrow; I have the most horrific sleeping pattern, and until recently I rarely awoke before noon. I also prefer the dark, and my friends always laugh over the fact that I very rarely open my bedroom blinds. (Little bit of trivia, from the age of 16 until about 23 I had posters over my bedroom window so the sun couldn't get in.) Also like the Pallas's cat, I'm not very athletic. These animals are also very rare, and I like to think I'm not just an average girl. This cat would not make a good house pet despite being very much like domestic cats, and I think in non-human form I would be a wild animal.
In all honesty, the only thing that I feel I don't have in common with the Pallas's cat is that I don't eat meat. However, as I said in my application, I believe that in your animagus form you will take on their biology which means you take on their dietery habits, so I don't think that really affects my likeness to this animal. I've felt for a very long time that the Pallas's cat was my animagus, and I feel like it's been confirmed.
Antonia, Hufflepuff
2016-03-31
#706 - erinm_4600 - American Quarter Horse
I'll admit that I thought the April Fools joke had gone up just a smidge early, seeing that horse as an option. But, in an effort to keep an open mind, I gave a look at all four options, as well as the votes (which were quite a joy to read, if I'm honest - that Leopard Tortoise sounds like fun!).
While horses are more social that I implied I was, I think they have a resilience to them that allows them to handle groups and solitude. They don't need attention 24-7 and I'd like to think that the "cow-sense" translates into the ability to adapt to most situations and deal with whatever comes up, whether it be the weather or work drama.
And I'm not at all craving a plate of carrots, right now.
In addition to the broad chest and round hindquarters, I am most definitely more likely to resemble the "stock" type of the AQH, as I am, myself, rather stout and stocky. Also, I would probably fall into the bucket of the common sorrel, though possibly a little more red (because, for some unknown reason, there's just enough red in my hair to jack up and box-color I ever try.)
I wish I had some profound excuse for a knee-jerk reaction of OMGTHATONE!, in choosing the American Quarter Horse, but I really don't. I hail from the Cowboy State. Throw a rock and hit three rodeos, a dozen cowboys, and twice as many AQHs. I am literally a Mustang (which is, technically, an ancestor of the AQH, but that's neither here nor there). Really: NCHS Class of '98 GO MUSTANGS!
Erin, Gryffindor
2016-03-31
#708 - ccharlotte - New Forest Pony
I'd like to choose the New Forest pony as my Animagus form. Though the New Forest pony was in close competition with the Black Forest Horse for my vote (I adore horses and ponies thanks to a childhood of riding), the former ultimately wins for several reasons.
The first and most important reason is the New Forest pony's historical home: an English forest close to the sea. Though I currently live in a large city, I love the sea, with forest a close second in terms of preferred surroundings. My maternal relatives are also British, which aligns very nicely with this animal's attributes.
The second reason is the New Forest pony's description as both intelligent and sure-footed. I'm a stereotypical Ravenclaw in that I consider myself intellectually curious and intelligent. And while I wouldn't consider myself ungainly, "sure-footed," to me, more personally refers to sure-footedness in belief and opinion. I don't often waver in my analysis of a situation, and I don't feel that my personality has changed much over the years. I would also say that I'm quite resilient, whether at home or at work, which is similar (in a mental respect) to the New Forest pony's physical hardiness.
Caroline, Ravenclaw
2016-04-30
#709 - luna_shovegood - Snowshoe Hare
It was difficult for me to choose which animagus form because the options were all very fitting. I was offered the snowshoe hare, common raven, norwegian forest cat and netherland dwarf rabbit. In the end, I chose the snowshoe hare.
I've always wanted to live up a mountain near a ski resort and the snowshoe hare lives in cooler northern climates, including the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains. Aside from snow and cool weather, one of the reasons I love skiing so much is because I love the exhilarating and freeing sensation of speeding down a mountain. Adult snowshoe hares are exceedingly fast; they use speed to outrun predators and zip around to cause confusion. They can run at up to 43km/hour and leap as far as three meters in a single jump. I find it very difficult to sit still and love jumping around.
They are crepuscular and sometimes active during the night or cloudy days. I'm not a morning person, but my favourite time of day is dusk and at times I also stay up at night. Overall, the times the snowshoe hare is active as times of low light. I am very sensitive to light so I have a preference for low light and cloudy days.
During times of activity, snowshoe hares tend to use well trodden paths which they are very familiar with. I have a strong preference for routine and repetition and also frequently use the same routes to get around. These paths are typically in dense undergrowth to hide, typically near trees which I love.
I also like to be very clean and so do hares. They frequently groom themselves and give themselves dust baths to remove fleas and lice. I can't stand touching dust myself, but since this the hare equivalent of good hygiene I think I think it is fitting.
Although I love being up high, I don't like being watched. The snowshoe hare has a white summer coat and brown winter coat to blend into its surrounds. I am thrilled to have a white animal because I think they look beautiful but am also be glad to have another camouflage option. I think looking like a wild hare would be very convenient in the English countryside - as much as I would have loved to have picked a white Netherland Dwarf Rabbit I would have been concerned about being mistaken for a pet and winding up trapped in animal rescue.
In terms of aesthetics, I think the snowshoe hare and I have size in common; both are relatively small. They are also similar with regards to socialising - snowshoe hares typically have overlapping habitats with other hares and are sometimes seen eating in small groups, but they are also very solitary and quiet.
I feel their diet suits me well too - I love fruits and vegetables which form most of the snowshoe hare's diet. To this end, their teeth are designed for continuous chewing and I love to gnaw on things. However, I really struggled when I tried to give up meat. Although hares are often thought to be herbivores, the snowshoe hare has been known to steal meat from baited traps. I can't see myself hunting animals so this scavenging aspect is fitting.
Another prey quality of these animals are than young hares cannot outrun predators, instead they display a freeze response using their coat colour to blend into their surroundings. I developed a particularly sophisticated freeze response as a young child and have since learnt to increasingly use other strategies. I have also used having a shower as a method of avoiding people and snowshoe hares are strong swimmers of have been seen entering water to avoid predators.
Megan, Ravenclaw
2016-05-02
#710 - fizzbuzz - Polar Bear
I was offered 4 amazing Animagus choices: Atlantic Puffin, Sea Otter, Harp Seal and Polar Bear. It was VERY hard for me to decide which animal I would like for my animagus. I have always adored each of these creatures. But which one was I most like?
I needed an outside perspective. So I asked my friends at a dinner party last night and immediately all of them said "polar bear". My friend Nina elaborated, "I can see you as a badass bear tearing shit up." And I can too. Bears are known for their passion and temperamental nature. Polar bears will attack in defense which is very much what I do. And of the four animals I was offered, I think the polar bear most closely resembles my sometimes aggressive nature.
I love snow and I love playing in the water - just like a polar bear! Just recently, I went to Copenhagen Zoo and spent hours watching and photographing the polar bears. I actually wasn't all that interested in seeing any of the other animals - I was so drawn to the polar bears that I didn't want to miss watching them for a second. I loved watching them play in the water - they had a barrel that they appeared to be playing chase and catch with.
Wikipedia says, "Although seal predation is the primary and an indispensable way of life for most polar bears, when alternatives are present they are quite flexible. Polar bears will consume a wide variety of other wild foods, including muskox, reindeer, birds, eggs, rodents, crabs, other crustaceans, and other polar bears. They may also eat plants, including berries, roots, and kelp." So, polar bears really like food like me! I love eating a wide variety of food and its awesome that the polar bear shares my appetite.
I tend to prefer smaller animals but if I think about it, I am a larger lady and I certainly have a larger than life personality so being a bigger animal makes sense. Polar bears stand out from other bears for their distinctive colouring, like I stand out in a crowd. But they also have super awesome powers of stealth because they blend into their environment through camouflage - they even are almost invisible under infrared photography!
I think a Polar Bear animagus would suit me perfectly as I would be able to escape to my favourite environment of snow, eat a ton of seafood and play in the water. With a side order of "tearing shit up".
Mindy, Gryffindor
2016-05-02
#712 - yaakov - White-Crested Guinea Pig
I didn't want a regal form but one that expressed how earnestly I don’t take myself seriously. Suitably, few creatures are as disrespected as guinea pigs. Their name serves as a colloquial metaphor for disposable lab subjects, and one playful article devoted to their care suggests holding mock coronations, clearly a jab at these creatures' undignified status. "Make a little paper crown," the writer instructs, then "place it on the guinea pig's head." Yet for all the low-key persecution they suffer at the hands of humans, guinea pigs are appreciated for their easy care regimen and comical mannerisms.
Like me, Cavia porcellus is not found in the wild. It is content in a small indoor enclosure as long as it’s provided with comfortable conditions and delicious vegetables like orange and yellow bell peppers. Guinea pigs are quite vocal and talkative critters, which many humans find delightful. They are also clumsy, easily panicked, but clever despite all that - very much like a certain nervous Ravenclaw.
Despite being comical and routinely disrespected by society, I take pains to cut a striking appearance. My black-framed glasses and slim black boots complement the puffed-up pompadour on my head; my hair is also black except for an attractive streak of white that has taken root right in front. It would only be right for me to take the form of a black white-crested guinea pig. Strict standards apply to the breeding of white cresteds: these guinea pigs must have a short coat and a “single white rosette, well centered on the forehead.” As these critters have no white anywhere else on their stubby little bodies, white-crested guinea pigs are quite difficult to breed for.
As Animagus scholar Evy of Ravenclaw explains, the white-crested guinea pig is “[g]rounded in a common breed, but stands out regardless.” This form is fitting for a clever, very handsome plebeian - one who doesn’t take themselves seriously at all, of course.
Yaakov, Ravenclaw
2016-06-02
#713 - latrans - Eastern Raccoon
It took me a long while to decide on my animagus because I liked all of the choices, but ultimately I had to go with the eastern raccoon. While I wouldn’t say raccoons are the #1 animal I relate to the most, they are definitely up there. I’ve appreciated them since I was little (Meeko was my boy) and that appreciation has grown in recent years, when raccoons became my campground companions. They aren’t always cheery and can be downright aggressive-but hey, so can I. They are also known for their intelligence and mischievousness, not to mention their stubbornness, all traits I share. Raccoons are one of my favorite animals to watch because of the shit they get themselves into due to their curiosity and their often comical attempts to rectify the situation before they really screw themselves over. It’s difficult to dissuade raccoons from getting what they want when they set their mind to it and they’re willing to use any means to accomplish their goals. They are opportunists that roll with the punches. I feel all this in a big way.
On a more symbolic level, raccoons are used to signify disguise. This works well for my personality since, even though I’m always ‘me’, I have several versions of me and I am good at figuring out which mask I need for which situation. Raccoons also symbolize trickery and adventurousness, which both fit as I am a huge prankster and am prone to going on and planning wild (and possible inadvisable) adventures.
Kaz, Slytherin
2016-06-22
#714 - palindrome - Maned Wolf
After submitting my application I became worried that I wouldn't feel connected to any of the final choices. However, these worries were entirely misplaced because I found that several of the choices matched fairly well and I had trouble deciding between them. After researching each one I ultimately decided that I felt the strongest connection with the Maned Wolf.
On the surface, we share physical characteristics. For one, we share the same hair color, a reddish brown. We both also have balanced facial features and ears that happen to be on the large side. They also look a bit awkward upon first glance. They have the coloring of a fox but are not foxes; they appear similar to wolves, but are not wolves. The maned wolf does not fit into a traditional view by appearance alone, which is another thing we have in common. We are both omnivores as well.
In personality there are even more similarities. The maned wolf is not an aggressive sort. When frightened or taken by surprise the animal prefers to flee instead of attack (although it will defend itself when necessary). It is also a shy animal overall, which we share. Much like me, the maned wolf spends a lot of time alone. They don't really form packs and instead hunt alone.
They are also largely active right after sundown and into the night. This time of day is one that I'm particularly active during as well. While I'm not nocturnal like the maned wolf, I stay up late into the night working on projects or even just watching television since it's so peaceful.
All-in-all I think that the maned wolf and I are a great fit! While there are some differences between us, the parallels far outweigh them, not to mention that this is an animal that I have felt connected with since I first stumbled across their existence a long time ago. I love this animagus form!
Mariah, Hufflepuff
2016-06-20
#716 - asphodel_rain - Pug
When first considering my choices, I initially narrowed it down to either of the dogs or the Northern Flying Squirrel. I decided to choose a dog form over the flying squirrel because I realized I didn't particularly want to be a prey animal. I don't see myself fitting super clearly into either side of the predator/prey dichotomy and dogs, as domesticated animals, share a similar position of not quite fitting into that hierarchy. I was excited to receive two different dogs as options because I feel drawn to dogs and feel that I have a fairly dog-like personality (loyal, excitable, food-motivated). I chose the Pug over the Dandie Dinmont Terrier because I just don't feel like I have that feisty, occasionally aggressive terrier personality.
In terms of looks, both I and pugs are small with round faces and an appearance of being young even as an adult. Pugs are described as looking puppy-ish well into adulthood (due to their cute faces and short stature) and I, as an adult, am frequently taken to be a teenager or occasionally younger. Because of their nose shape, pugs don't do well in extreme hot or cold weather and are especially in danger of overheating in hot weather. Likewise, I also prefer ambient temperatures but do a bit better with cold than I do with heat. Their nose shape also leads pugs to make all sorts of weird snorts and other noises, which fits for me because I sometimes have a tendency to snort when I laugh. They make good apartment dogs because they are relatively quiet (especially for a small breed) and don't need (or want) much exercise. I also am fairly quiet and not super active.
Pugs are often described as the clowns of the dog world, which I love because I consider myself a somewhat funny person, I enjoy making people laugh, and I enjoy comedy. Pugs are one of the breeds most frequently dressed up in costumes, which is perfect for me because I will take just about any opportunity to dress up in costume (especially if the occasion calls for a pirate costume). In terms of personality, both pugs and I are generally easygoing, eager to please, intelligent but can be very stubborn when refusing to do something we don't want to do, don't like being ignored, and are always ready to take someone else's unwanted food. Pugs have a bit of a reputation for being "velcro dogs" and refusing to leave their owner's side. While I am not an especially clingy person, I really do crave feeling included and have definitely done things I wasn't interested in just because it would give me an opportunity to spend time with the people I care about, so I could see myself as a dog following around my people like "hey, what are you doing? can I come?"
Overall, I think pugs can be described as "sweet and kind of quirky, but in a cute way" which I think is a fairly good description of me as well.
Julian, Gryffindor
2016-07-25
#717 - narcissaunicorn - Solomon Islands Skink
After assessing all of the choices assigned to me, the one that most stood out to me was the Solomon Islands skink. While I was initially tempted to choose the Russian Domesticated Red Fox, as foxes are one of my favourite animals, the description of the skink appealed to me more for a number of reasons. Firstly, the skink is herbivorous, and I am vegan. I was vegetarian for many years before that, and cannot imagine EVER eating meat, so a herbivore is the best possible fit for me.
Secondly, the skink functions within a social group, but is known to be outwardly hostile towards those outside of its family group. I am fiercely loyal and protective of my family, and I would do anything to ensure their safety. While I am a friendly and approachable person, I will be actively defensive if anyone tries to hurt myself or my family. The protective nature of the skink really appealed to me, and made sense in terms of my personality. I am cute and not at all intimidating on first impression, but if you get on my bad side, I can be fierce, and that's how I see the skink. The skink is one of the only reptiles to act protectively towards their young, and they have even been known to 'adopt' orphaned skinks. This very much describes me and my maternal feelings towards my own child and other children that are not my own. I love working with children and am very protective of them,
Thirdly, the skink is a reptile. I said in my application that while I love the earth, it is also important for me to have easy access to water, as I feel a strong connection with water and the ocean. A reptile perfectly fits my requirements here.
Overall, I think the skink is an undeniably perfect fit for me, and I can't believe I didn't think of it myself. I am a skink.
Lauren, Slytherin
2017-01-30
#718 - my_threeloves06 - Spotted Dove
Out of the choices I have received, I would love to choose the spotted dove as my choice. It was hard, though, not to choose the burrowing owl as owls are my favorite animals. But between the two, the spotted dove was my best choice.
There are many reasons why I would choose the spotted dove.Not only was this animal chosen for me because of my physical description, this animal has many of the attributes that I have.
The spotted dove resides around farmland. I live in a city that, not only has doves, has farmlands around within a city. Spotted doves hang out in small groups or pairs. That is how I am. I either love to be one on one with my husband or friends or I prefer my small group, my family that is my husband and three kids.
Spotted doves are omnivores. I am a huge omnivore. They go fruits, grains, and grass seeds but take insects occasionally. That is how i am with my diet. I prefer the vegetables, grains, and fruits over the meat. There are times where I will eat the meat first, if the meat tastes SO GOOD I can't deny it.
And as mentioned above, doves are seen around the city I live in. I even have doves who reside in my two big pine trees in my own front yard.
So the common attributes of a spotted dove and I are undeniable. So I have to pick it because a spotted dove is my animagus form, no doubt.
Michelle, Hufflepuff
2017-01-30
#719 - masqauthoress - British Shorthair Cat
I want to thank the Members of HiH for picking up on two things I love without really knowing me: cats and my love of all things British. I literally laughed out loud that this was one of my choices, and knew I had to pick this one. :)
I decided to go with the British Shorthair mostly for personality reasons. The British Shorthairs are described as sweet-natured and devoted to a family or person. Being somewhat of an introvert, I am greatly devoted to my family and my husband, along with a few select close friends. These cats are described as having the manners of a “governess” and being quietly dignified, which I like to think are two traits that I carry well; proper manners and quietly dignified. But like any cat, they have their moments of humor, which is also representative of my personality. I have a good sense of humor, but only those closest to me see it. They are not overly active cats, and mature pretty quickly in their lives to become "lap cats" between age two and three. These cats also are prone to health problems, but overcome them quietly and as one voter put it with "reseliency" that I thought described my ability to adapt and overcome.
Kacey, Gryffindor
2017-03-01
#721 - asheissketchy - Kit Fox
First of all, I want to thank everybody for giving me such thoughtful choices. I love what I have to choose from, and really enjoyed reading your reasoning behind it.
However, before even the unscreened votes, my gut said kit fox; as I read on, I realized that my gut was right. The kit fox is native to my own Southern California, and that makes me feel extremely drawn to it. No matter where I may travel, California will always be my permanent home and it seems pretty apt to be an animal native to it. I also love the idea that I might actually be able to see/meet my animagus in real life.
Kit foxes tend to escape rather than fight, which sounds like me (I'm willing to fight for certain things/ambitious enough to pursue things I want, but I prefer to avoid conflict when possible). The bit about kit foxes' social behavior speaks deeply to me as well: I'm a very private person and the thought of living with anybody other than my S/O/future children seems horrible (I never did the roommate thing prior to living with him). Outside of my home, I can be very social. I have a good handful of friends and remain very close to my brother and sister, we hang out often and I love that...(I just don't want to live with them). Their diet seems like something I could live with too: mostly meat/protien, but also open to veggies. Sounds very much like my current diet.
Aesthetically speaking, I love how compact kit foxes are. This is the perfect animal to get away from it all. Also, I am in love with their gigantic ears (reminds me a lot of fennec foxes, which are my favorite animal--this is like the low-key, Cali version of that).
Finally, the fact that two of my friends happened to come up with the same animal by coincidence makes me feel that it was meant to be.
Ashe, Slytherin
2017-03-01
#722 - beautifulbluee - Trumpeter Swan
Thank you for all of the votes. I really enjoyed the theme of water birds. In the end, I chose the trumpeter swan as my form. Out of all of my options, I liked the looks of the trumpeter swan best. I really like the classic all-white plumage with the black beak. It's simple and classic, a lot like my own personal sense of style. I think it's important for your animagus form to reflect what you look like and your overall sense of style. In terms of traits, I also identified with the trumpeter swan best. Swans, like myself, are fierce and temperamental. The trumpeter swan is no different in that regard. I would also have the option of sticking to smaller groups or going off on my own, which is very important to me. I really love that the trumpeter swan can fly or swim too, because I am really active, but I do get bored easily, so it's great to have options. Both swimming and flying were sensations I was really hoping to feel in my animagus form, so to be able to have both at my disposal would be amazing. The trumpeter swan gets its name from the trumpeting sound its call makes, which I like because I am definitely one to speak my mind at all times.
Lindsay, Gryffindor
2017-03-28
#723 - tolkienfancaiti - Plains Coyote
I think the plains coyote would fit me best of all of the choices offered. I admit I was drawn to most of my choices, but in the end I had to pick the coyote.
Location plays a big part for me - the entire range this canine covers is some of my favorite places to see, particularly when it’s closer to the mountains. The ability to fit into such a large range of places from Canada down to Texas fits as well. I’ve travelled more than any of my family and I love seeing new places and learning about the history of the people and places I visit.
The fact that the coyote is strictly monogamous grabbed my attention as well. I’m very, very picky about relationships and find that guys who flit from one woman to another turn me off. The idea of staying in one relationship with the same person makes me feel warm and safe and it gives me a foundation for dealing with all of the craziness in the world. I love the idea of having that kind of connection with someone. And if that makes me a romantic . . . so be it.
One of the biggest factors for me - the coyote is known to be both gregarious and solitary. I am an introvert - a major one - in that I regain myself and my energy when I can retreat and be quiet by myself. BUT! Introvert does not equal shy. While I may not be a social butterfly, I can talk (and talk for hours) on topics that interest me. Heck, I volunteer to do public speaking!
As I tend to be drawn to canines in particular, and with the other characteristics so wonderfully fitting, I definitely think I would be a plains coyote.
Caiti, Gryffindor
2017-04-08
#724 - et_tu_lj - Mearns Coyote
I want a form that lets me explore, both in the wild and through my city, and thrives in either setting. For that, especially in the area where I live, there's no better choice than a coyote. I see coyotes all the time, hunting rabbits through the fields or loping across the street at night, and the encounter always makes me a little envious. They're resourceful survivors, capable of doing well on either side of the edges of civilization.
Coyote traits fit my personality well too. I'm independent and mostly introverted, but I still like to share space and partner up with others sometimes. When the situation requires it, I do well in groups too. The coyote's social tendencies fit well, since they live in small family groups, as well as non-family social groups or on their own. Unrelated coyotes will also temporarily team up for companionship or to take down larger prey. When not protecting pups, coyotes often retreat from their territories if threatened, or defend them without much aggression, chasing but not killing intruders. Their flexible social groups, non-aggressive territorial behaviors, overall adaptability, and personalities which are both gregarious and solitary make coyotes a good fit for me.
Although I'd mostly decided, reading that coyotes occasionally form long-term mutually beneficial hunting relationships with badgers helped me know the Mearns Coyote was a perfect choice for me. I'm a Slytherin who identifies strongly with the wily coyote, but I surround myself with a whole lot of Hufflepuffs because they seem to make ideal work/friend/life partners for me, so this little detail sealed the deal.
Kimberly, Slytherin
2017-05-18
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