Animagus Registry #281-300

[animagusmod]

#281 - shanima - Hazel Dormouse

I wasn't sure about any of the choices given to me at first. I could pick advantages and faults from all of them. The common dormouse, or hazel dormouse, was one of the most appealing from the beginning and the more I considered it, the more I realised how well it suited me.

Mice remind me strongly of my childhood. I used to love stories in which mice lived in trees which were like miniature houses (The Mice of Brambly Hedge books, if anyone knows them?). I absolutely love the idea of a tiny, thriving community that goes completely unnoticed by most of the world. When I was a kid I used to like crawling under tables and between furniture, pretending I was a little woodland animal in its burrow, (I was a strange, very imaginative child). Because of these stories and games, I can still imagine what it might be like to be a mouse...although I'm aware they don't actually drink blackcurrant tea and wear clothes XD

As a dormouse, I could venture into many places I wouldn't fit into as a human and I could quickly escape if I thought I was in danger. Dormice use the height of trees and bushes to their advantage, climbing through them in a similar way to a squirrel, so they have a better perspective of their surroundings and are less vulnerable. I like to know what is going on around me and would much rather be watching that be watched. With a dormouse as my Animagus, I could thoroughly explore almost any place without being noticed.

As well as loving the idea of being small, I like the look of the dormouse. Unlike most mice, they aren't rat-like but are much fluffier and cuter ^^ I especially love their huge black eyes.

Dormice hibernate for up to six months during the winter. I hate winter. I despise being cold and the lack of sunlight often makes me feel depressed. Sleeping through the whole winter sounds like a good plan to me, since it's pretty much all I feel like doing at that time of the year.

Like the dormouse, I like to spend quite a lot of time alone. Dormice are mainly solitary animals, but sometimes live as mating pairs or as a family of parent and children. In the same way, I like to spend some time with people who are close to me.

Mmm, blackberries :) I like berries. But it's okay if I get fed up of eating nuts and berries, because dormice are omnivorous. Hazel dormice live in woodland and hilly areas and I enjoy spending time in these kind of environments. The hazel dormouse is native to Britain and while I'm not strictly 'native', it is where I've lived for my whole life.

The reasons I was given for this choice were: "You strike me as someone who has a lot to be confident about but is actually quite nervous about things. You also strike me as someone who is inquisitive, but who at the end of the day would streak for safety at the slightest danger."

Reading that, I was like o_o Because that is me in a nutshell...(no pun intended?)

Shanima, Hufflepuff
2009-09-19



#282 - theaeblackthorn - Four-Toed Hedgehog

Before the options of the animals were presented to me I went through and drew up a list of the attributes that I considered the most important in my possible animagus.

Firstly, I wanted something that was of a reasonable size. Something too large would be hampered by its size as much as something that's too small would be. They may have other attributes that help them, but both large animals and overly small animals make me nervous. I couldn't be one myself!

Next I wanted something that wouldn't look out of place across my homeland, the United Kingdom. I'd rather something that wasn't currently considered a pest and they were trying to wipe out. I wanted something people would look at and love.

Finally, I wanted an animal that had a good chance of surviving the apocalypse. As I mentioned in my application this is because my RL skills aren't so much suited for surviving the apocalypse, so my animal form would need to be able to survive!

Of the options presented to me, none of them initially jumped out at me. So I started by looking at the natural habitats of each of the animals. All of the animals are non-native to Great Britian. Several of them have been introduced over here and others would have few problems blending in. This did. The raccoon has been introduced over here, but they are uncommon enough that I would question their presence if I saw one. The four-toed hedgehog, however, is close enough in appearance that if I were to see one I would simply think it was a regular hedgehog.

The four-toed hedgehog was also of a reasonable size, it was not small, like a beetle or a chipmunk, yet it wasn't big like a horse or an elephant. And so I started to look in more detail at the four toed hedgehog.

This animal has many defensive skills, including it's beautiful quills, which the animals are born with. It's chances of surviving the apocalypse seem good, what with the distance it can cover in a night, and the vast range of small prey it consumes. The fact that it can also eat toxins and not suffer gives me hope that this is the animal for me.

Like myself, the four-toed hedgehog is a nocturnal animals, with a like of slightly warmer temperatures. It will hibernate when it's too cold (which I wish I could do!) and burrow for coolness when it is too hot. Four-toed hedgehogs make snuffling grunting noises when harassed, which sounds like me first thing when the alarm clock goes off!

Sas, Ravenclaw
2009-09-21



#283 - unnecessary_ - White Peacock

Peacocks are known for their beautiful feathers and always keeping their chins up with pride. This is one of the many reasons why this animal is a representation of my self. I'm extremely in love with who I am and I'm very confident and proud. I think I'm very beautiful and don't care who notices it, though I try to flaunt it as best I can. When I'm thin, skirts and dresses are the only things I'll wear. I have a lot of pride in myself, my body, and everything else having to do with me.

A peacock is the type of creature that isn't kept inside of a cage, but is let out to roam around the zoo, instead. It walks at its own pace, along with its own needs. There is an air of independence in the animal with only one exception - impressing a mate. I'm an extremely autonomous, independent person, but my boyfriend is my other half. I can relate to the peacock very well in regards to its social behavior.

Because my religion is astrology and I'm an Aquarius, I'm glad to have an animal that coincides with my element: air. Obviously a bird is a representation of air in detail. It soars, can leave whenever it please, existed once and sometimes still does as a form of communication, and can attack prey with ease.

Even small details about this animal, like the fact that it can eat scorpions, is significant to me. Aquarian females and Scorpio men are known astrologically as the number one worst match. It makes sense that my animal version would eat scorpions.

Peacocks excel at self-defense and though I am not a defensive person, my adoration for myself is enough to make me very strong and protective of my own happiness. The peacock is a living symbol of my way of life.

Lastly, I believe that the white peacock specifically is perfect for me because it's more unique than an already unique animal, which is my view of myself. People always consider themselves weird or special, but often I hear people say that it's impossible for there not to be someone similar to them somewhere else in the world. I don't think that's the case for me. I feel that I am truly one of a kind, just as a white peacock is amongst its peacock cousins and other animals.

Sylwia, Ravenclaw
2009-09-21



#284 - kimi_the_great - Giant Panda

The Giant Panda is found in the central mountain ranges of China. It is 1.5 meters long and about 75 centimeters high at the shoulder, with the males usually being larger than the females. Their distinct black and white fur is thought to serve as a form of camouflage, allowing them to blend in with the shadow-dappled snowy areas around them. Although they prefer warmer areas, the thickness of their fur keeps them warm and allows them to stay in somewhat colder temperatures longer than normal.

The Giant Panda spends its life roaming, feeding, and resting. They subside on a diet of bamboo, even though they are technically carnivores. The bamboo that they live on is not very nutritious, thus they must eat constantly so that their bodies will not go into starvation mode. I can relate to this on a personal level, not because I eat unhealthy food, but because I do seem to be constantly eating. There are a few diseases that run in my family that mess with blood sugar levels, so whenever I feel like my blood sugar is on the decline, I feel like I have to eat something, even if it is just a small snack. I eat these types of snacks multiple times through the day so that I never really feel that I am "starving".

Because of the limited energy that they derive from bamboo, pandas often spend their time sleeping and relaxing to conserve energy. They do no extraneous activity that would waste their precious reservoir of nutrition and I can relate to that as well. I am not a fan of doing the unnecessary: the less I have to do, the better. This is not to say that I will not do my share of work, or even help someone else out, but I more often than not will do the bare minimum and it seems to be working out for me. Relaxation and rest are also things that I prize and do quite often. Perhaps too often, but that is beside the point.

Giant Pandas are unique among bears in that they do not hibernate in the winter. These terrestrial mammals follow food and are constantly on the move, thus they have no real den. When they require shelter, they usually make do with what is around them, such as sleeping in or under a tree. I feel a personal connection with these bears in the fact that I am happily suffering from wanderlust. I always want to be on the move (when I'm not relaxing and being lazy) and I have something of a travel bug. I know I do have a home with my family, but now that I've moved out on my own, I don't feel as strong a connection there as I used to. I love my family and would do anything for them, but I have this inexplicable, strong desire to travel and live somewhere else, perhaps not even in a permanent residence. I would love to be able to just pick my life up and move somewhere else for a spell, something that Giant Pandas seem to have no trouble doing.

Finally, Giant Pandas are notorious solitary creatures. For the longest time, scientists were convinced that Giant Pandas had nothing to do with each other at all aside from mating, but this has since been disproved. They are still largely solitary, but occasionally groups of Giant Pandas will meet up, or at least communicate with each other from far away using grunts and calls. I feel this reflects my personality because I am somewhat of a loner, but I do have friends. Alone time is very important to me (that's prime relaxation time!) but it is impossible for me to live entirely alone. I like the few friends that I have and feel that is important to socialize with them every so often. After all, how can you have a functioning relationship with someone if you ignore them? However, like Pandas, I can have an aggressive streak when it comes to socializing. Pandas have been known to attack people and other animals, not out of defensiveness, but because of what appears to be irritation. I have a short fuse and hardly any patience. I will be quick to attack (verbally, of course) when I am annoyed and I have little tolerance for people I deem obnoxious.

I believe that the Giant Panda is a perfect match for my personality. Set aside the fact that we are both insanely adorable (ha ha), this member of the Ursidae family and myself have more similarities that can be considered coincidental.

Kimi, Gryffindor
2009-10-03



#285 - nokitas - Red Wolf

Although, all the other choices i had would fit me in a general way, the Red Wolf attracted me the most, mainly because of my passion for anything related with this animals. I always found the wolves extremely intelligent and beautiful, despite their dangerous side, which is also very appealing for me, but also because of their history, way of life and other features that i love about this canids.

The Red Wolves have a pelt that varies between brown and cinnamon color, while the tails and backs are shaded in grey and black. In very rare cases there were recorded black specimens, but it's believed that this specific example is extinct. This shows the beauty of this animals, at least in my view. I believe that this features may be very luring for certain preys. In any case this one also can be the cause of the wolve hunting by humans.
With my dark brown hair, i think that the wolf form would fit me the best (as someone said in my application,and also thank for the The wolf is a beautiful animal, and you too are beautiful!).

It's also known that the red wolf is a medium size animals,with almond-shaped eyes, very like myself.

The Red Wolf lives in small packs, or in other words, an extended family, which varies between the 2 and 12 in number of members. This applies to how i am, liking to have people around me,but not in big numbers,i feel better in reduced groups.
Like this animal i am a very territorial person, not liking to have intruders in my life and my pack.

Night time, shifting between dusk and dawn, is the preferential time for this animal to hunt, showing that this specimen is most active during dark hours. Possibly, this is the quality if feel most related with.I'm a very nocturnal person, feeling better in night hours, being more active and productive then in day time.

Historical habitats of this wolves includedforests, swamps and coastal prairies, mainly colder places, where like wolves i feel very comfortable with.

A quit unknown characteristic of this animal is that it can swim to a 13kms distance, which makes me relate to it even more, because i love to be on the water, however i could never pick a full water animal, because i also am a very land person, and certain things in deep waters still fright me a bit.In this way, i believe we match very well at this point.

Now last but not least, something that makes me very attracted me to this animals and what i believe to be a good part of my personality, is the fact that wolves and I are not very conforming with discipline as much as other ones; we like to do what we want and when we want, however we're respectful and known, in most cases, our limits.

To end, i'll just like to state that a animagus wolf form would be extremely useful for so many characteristic that distinguish this animal and make it such a great predator.

Joana, Ravenclaw
2009-10-17



#287 - delorispea - Adelie Penguin

I would adore my animagus form to be the Adelie Penguin. [And not just because I may be slightly obsessed with Happy Feet]

Not only does this animal live in a condition where I would relish (the warmth is something I can enjoy but being cold is something of a normality to me now), it enjoys the water and spends its time eating fish which I hate. I could spend my days attacking and killing the one thing in life that gives me the creeps more than anything else!

Penguins are very sociable creatures that enjoy being in groups, yet they can get aggressive when people try to take their stones that they use for their nests.

I find myself like this too, although I am highly sociable someone comes into my home and tries to fiddle with my personal space I can get highly aggressive.

Penguins also enjoy energetic activities in the water which is something as a human I also enjoy. Having an animagus Penguin form would only increase my abilities in the water, plus fighting my fears of everything in there is something a Penguin also has to do. The fact everytime it has to go into the water, to eat and to do something it enjoys, where things could attack, kill and eat it, shows real bravery which is something I think I have when it comes to wanting to enjoy myself and when food is involved!

Louise, Gryffindor
2009-10-17



#288 - mandyloo - Irish Setter

I have to be honest- when I first saw that someone suggested Irish Setter as my Animagus form, I immediately fell in love with the idea. As a dog lover, I thought it was a great choice. Of course, I knew that it would take some research to determine if I truly fit the form of an Irish Setter, so research I did (all my information came from this Wikipedia article.

One of the first things I read about the Irish Setter was its long coat which requires frequent maintenance to avoid matting. If that doesn't describe me, I don't know what does! I have very thick, curly hair, which also requires a lot of maintenance or it becomes a crazy, tangled mess. And while I am usually annoyed by my hair, I have received many compliments on it from other people and am often noticed for my hair (to be fair, it does kind of catch your eye)- another thing I have in common with the Irish Setter.

Irish Setters also get along very well with people, children, other dogs, and household pets. I love kids, and I think my house of 4 cats and a dog shows that I get along with pets. Another big similarity I see between the two of us is that we both like to demonstrate our affection for others. I'm a pretty touchy person- I love giving and receiving hugs, and showing people that I care. Along with their friendly nature, Irish Setters are not aggressive, and therefore don't make good guard dogs. I too, hate confrontation. I think I embody a lot of general dog traits as well- particularly my wish to please others and make them feel better. Like any dog, I often feel my best when I feel loved and appreciated. Irish Setters are said to need constant human companionship. Similarly, I tend to get depressed if I don't have anyone else to talk to or hang out with.

Irish Setters are described as being an "active breed", requiring lots of exercise. While I can't say that I love exercise, I can definitely identify with the Setter in their tendency to get into trouble if they don't have something to do!

While I can totally see where the other suggestions were coming from, I have to choose the Irish Setter as my true Animagus form. I can just picture myself running around in a field fetching a stick...

Mandy, Hufflepuff
2009-10-17



#289 - sanalith - English Shepherd

Faithful Friend
God summoned a beast from the field and he said, “I endow you with the instincts uncommon to other beasts: faithfulness, devotion and understanding surpassing those of men himself. Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words. Speak to your master only with your mind and through honest eyes. So be silent, and be a friend to man. This shall be your destiny and your immortality.” So spake the Lord.

And the dog heard and was content.

I received a picture frame with this quote when I was sixteen. My oldest friend, a companion I’d known since I was a year and a half, had recently passed away, and I was devastated. As an only child, he was the closest thing I’d ever had to a brother, and I felt like I’d lost part of my soul. His name was Shanookie, and he was a border collie/Australian Shepherd. He’d lived for fifteen wonderful years as my protector, my confidant, and my friend. Now, twelve years later, it seems only fitting that I take one of his brothers as my animagus form - the English Shepherd.

I’ve always felt a very strong connection to dogs in general for their faithfulness, loyalty, and absolutely unconditional love. I also adore the unbridled pleasure they take in the simple things life has to offer - long walks, playing ball, driving with the wind in their face, and just being with family. I have tried to emulate them in these matters for much of my life because I believe it brings out the best in us as humans. I give my affections very openly and easily, and I am extremely loyal to my friends and family. I’m also an extremely optimistic person who tends to exhibit an almost childlike delight in everyday things.

The English Shepherd in particular has a slew of traits and abilities I respect and share. They are intelligent, practical, versatile, and excellent companions. I was also incredibly happy to see that these dogs were bred for work and not for show, especially because there is no standard appearance for the breed. I consider myself a bit of a non-conformist, so I find comfort in the fact that my animagus does not have a traditional coloring or marking and therefore is not often simply bred to be put on display. I’d much rather have an active, useful breed.

In terms of temperament, the English Shepherd and I could not be more alike. They possess a unique kindness for both people and other animals, and they are considered exceptional caretakers due to their extreme empathy. I consider my strong empathy to be one of my most important traits, so I’m very happy that this breed shares that ability. They are also independent, friendly, trustworthy, adaptable, and quick learners. These dogs and I also share the Hermione-esq trait of being somewhat bossy and an enforcer of rules, which I find terribly amusing. Finally, English Shepherds are considered to be very energetic, agile, fearless, and extremely excellent watch dogs. These are traits I do NOT possess as a human and would very much like to have. In my application, I indicated that my greatest desire was to have an animagus form that would balance some of my weaknesses, and this definitely qualifies.

Some people might consider a dog to be a very common and un-original animagus form, but I see this as a strength. There are very few areas in the world where a dog would stand out, which means I would be free to conduct surveillance and procure information without looking out of place. I find this ability to blend in an extremely valuable asset. But, lest I begin to feel too common, I can take comfort in the fact that the English Shepherd is actually considered to be a rare breed among dogs. This sings to my desire for individuality without sacrificing my stealth advantage.

Finally, as an historian, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my delight in discovering that the English Shepherd was actually first brought to the British Isles by none other than Julius Caesar, when he invaded in 55 BC. I would definitely expect any incarnation of myself to have an excellent sense of history.

Thank you very much for this opportunity to build yet another bond between myself and this most important of animals. I only hope I will prove to be worthy of joining their esteemed ranks.

Sanalith, Ravenclaw
2009-10-21



#290 - yanderess - Spectacled Caiman

When I first received my list of animals, I was totally overwhelmed because all of my choices were just so awesome! I was surprised at some of the animals suggested to me, especially the spectacled caiman. But as I did more research into all four animals to determine the one best suited for me, I found myself connecting more and more with the caiman.

First off, the spectacled caiman is a reptile, and while that isn't technically a requirement, I was hoping that my animagus would be a reptile. I'd love to have an animal form that could function on both land and water because I hate feeling limited. If something was chasing me on land, I'd want to be able to hide in the water for refuge and vice versa.

Spectacled caimans are very protective of their offspring, and while I'm not very maternal and don't want to have kids, in the animal kingdom offspring kind of transfer to human world people who are close to you. And that I definitely am. I'm very selective about people, but when someone is close to me, I'm very devoted and protective of them.

Caimans enjoy warm weather, which is a must for me. I really dislike the cold and get cold often so I'd hate for my animagus to be something that could only exist in the cold.

I read on a site that caimans are described as "perpetually hungry eating machines" which…. lol, fits me perfectly. I love food and eating and am always hungry. Caimans are very OM NOM NOM and I love omming and nomming very much! OH AND THEY ALSO LIKE LOUNGING. I love lounging. My girlfriend says that my catchphrase is "in a miiiinute~"

Even though they can be lazy, they are also hard workers when they are hunting. I am pretty lazy, but I'm also very ambitious and motivated when it comes to my goals. When I want to achieve something, I will work very hard for it, but when I don't care, I'll slack off. And I think caimans are very much like that as well.

They are spunky and devious, which I listed as my most important trait in my animal form. And besides, they are cuties. I love them. :D.

Mihael, Slytherin
2009-10-21



#291 - starryeyedstara - Chinese Mountain Cat

It was really hard to choose, but I've decided that I feel most connected to the Chinese Mountain Cat.

Like this animal, I am quite shy and am most comfortable when I'm not around other people. I'm also awake quite late at night a lot of the time, and this animal is mostly active at night as well! It's quite a small cat, and I feel really connected to that as I'm quite small myself and I feel like I would want to be a smaller animal who could hide easily! They are quite a rare species and I think that their appearance is really interesting - sometimes the patterns on their fur is barely visible, and I think that's really cool, I like the kind of thing where you have to look really closely to know things.

I have always found a connection to cats, my family has always had pet cats and there has never been a time in my life when we haven't had at least 2. Currently we have 5 cats and they are spoiled terribly, and everyone loves them. They are a real comfort to me when I'm upset, they're always around and they make me happy. I do think that they are incredibly intelligent and wonderful animals and I think that the Chinese Mountain cat is even more suited to me, because it is a bit less sociable than domestic cats, and a bit more solitary, both of which I definitely am.

Even the habitat in which this cat lives is suitable for me. They live in China, in forest areas, and I think I would be really comfortable in that sort of area.

Amie, Ravenclaw
2009-10-21



#292 - gryffinwhore - Ring-Tailed Lemur

Of my choices for animagus, two stood out to me the most. The first was the Asiatic Lion. I mean what kind of Gryffindor wouldn’t LOVE to be a motherfucking lion as their animagus? But the more I read about the Ring-Tailed Lemur, the more it just seemed to click

First of all, they are highly social animals, living in groups of up to 30 and these groups are female dominant. I am a highly social individual who craves interaction and I tend to thrive in leadership positions so being an animal with alpha~ females is quite fitting. Ring-Tailed Lemurs are also one of the most vocal primates and use their various sounds as a method of communication and to help group cohesion as well as notify each other of danger. I love the idea that my animagus is an animal that talks shit out and is highly communicative seeing as how I love to talk and if there are conflicts in my life I like to talk through them instead of being passive aggressive.

Another thing that I love about the Ring-Tailed Lemur is how the troops work together. For example, at night they will huddle together in a group to keep warm in what is known as a lemur ball. Which is pretty much the cutest mental image ever. Because of all these things I had been seriously considering this animal as my animagus form, but as soon as I saw this video, I knew instantly that I had to be a Ring-Tailed Lemur. It just fits my personality so so so well. I’m playful, mischievous and social. HAI HIH MY NAME IS ALEX AND I’M A LEMUR~

Alex, Gryffindor
2009-11-07



#294 - tehlobster - African Clawless Otter

Track This
At first, I was disappointed in my choices - there was not a single animal I thought of as similar to myself in the batch! However, I took a closer look, and once I did a bit of research on the African Clawless Otter, it became evident that we have a lot in common.

The otter, like me, is clumsy on land yet graceful in water. For the most part they spend their time in the water, but do come on land sometimes. That also describes my childhood! In water they are acrobats; nothing can be more beautiful than seeing an otter swim. Also, otters have very few natural predators, they are the masters of their element. I really envy that freedom, since I've spent so long sick and incapable of physical freedom in my own body.

According to Wikipedia (that paragon of knowledge), "Though mostly solitary animals, African Clawless Otters will live in neighboring territories of family groups of up to 5 individuals. Each still having their own range within that territory, they mostly keep to themselves unless seeking a mate... Each otter is very territorial over its particular range." That is definitely like me and is the trait that rang most true out of anything I read about them. I, too, am mostly solitary but prefer to have a few people around me that I really like. I'm also very territorial; I currently live in a dorm with a roommate and though I concede most of the room to her, I am very fierce with what is mine. Woe betide her if someone has been in my bed, misplaced the remote for my TV, or moved something off my desk! (Well, OK, I'm not that confrontational, but I do get upset.)

The African Clawless Otter can be found in many places around Africa and can adapt to all sorts of different environments. At first, it may not seem like much to be able to transform into such a common animal, but at the same time, most people still notice otters. They're cute and playful, but not hugely remarkable. They draw just the right amount of attention to themselves.

Finally, I, like the African Clawless Otter, am primarily nocturnal! Clearly the otter and I are a match made in heaven.

MC, Gryffindor
2009-10-30



#295 - clasped - Trumpeter Swan

I loved all of my choices, and I feel that the trumpeter swan is the best fit for me.

The trumpeter swan lives near water and prefers moderate climates, much like my personal preference of living. They spend most of their time on the water, but they will occasionally venture back to land; I would opt to spend a majority of my time on the water in an instant if it were practical for me to do so. They are also capable of flight, which is one of the abilities I have always envied in wildlife.

The trumpeter swan mates for life, which is similar to the strong and long-lasting loyalty I feel toward my friends. This swan also tends to be less social, preferring to travel alone or in small groups; I have this exact behavior with my own social life.

Finally, swans are beautiful to look at - but they're also a force to be reckoned with. The trumpeter swan's main threat is predators go after the eggs and cygnets; I feel like I was particularly vulnerable as a child, so I can relate. However, an adult swan can be very dangerous and their wings are so powerful that an angry trumpeter swan can beat a man to death. I'm not a violent person by any means, but I do like being able to defend myself well.

Elisabeth, Slytherin
2009-10-31



#296 - dither_spaz - Squirrel Monkey

I AM THE SQUIRREL MONKEY.

Why does this little creature fit me so well?

First of all, they’re just so much fun. The squirrel monkey lives almost entirely in the trees, swinging through the branches, using their tails for balance. They move incredibly fast. I loved climbing trees as a little kid, and today I've been rock climbing a few times and I think it's the coolest thing ever. I like to be on the move, and so do they!

I also love that the squirrel monkey is just kind of ridiculous. They're kinda weird. These animals, much like myself, are totally themselves, and totally unpretentious, if that is possible for animals. They cover their tail in their own urine to mark territory. A monkey's gotta do what a monkey's gotta do! Disgusting, whatevs, the monkey will get stuff done.

Also, their closest relative is the capuchin. Though the squirrel monkey has the bigger brain, the capuchin is considered the most intelligent of all the American primates. I know what it's like to come from a ridiculously smart family. I like to think I’m pretty smart, and so is the squirrel monkey, it can be hard coming from a family where intelligence is considered super important. I think the squirrel monkey and I would get each other. I feel your pressure, monkey man.

But the resemblance between my family and theirs does not end there. Squirrel monkeys live in large family groups, ranging in size from 20 to 75 individuals (though occasionally being as large as 500). I also come from a large, colorful extended family. Though they drive me crazy sometimes, I can’t imagine anything else, nor do I want to. While I like my alone time, I also love my family dearly and love that the squirrel monkey clearly values this as well. They work to protect their families: if one hears a noise that sounds like a raptor, they make a very high pitched squeak to alert all the nearby monkeys to hide. They even alert their family about falling branches or rocks. They’re just, well, sweet.

In addition, the squirrel monkeys have created, ridiculously, an egalitarian society. Neither the males nor the females or dominant over each other, and among each group there is also no strong dominant individual. As a feminist, I think this is freaking awesome. The large family groups of monkeys do not fight or compete with each other, either. Though I cannot profess to be as awesome and peaceful and kind in my own life, I value this and am super impressed that these monkeys do it so well.

Like me, the squirrel monkey is noisy. I can be uncontrollably loud, as in sometimes I just cannot control my mouth. I talk kinda loud. The squirrel monkey not only makes squeals, whistles, and chirps, but also moves through the forest loudly. It just does not possess the ability to be quiet and subtle. Me neither, bb monkey.

There are a lot of other, small things that make me feel connected to the squirrel monkey. They’re omnivores, and eat primarily insects, fruit, eggs, and nuts. I’m a vegetarian and eat lots of fruit and eggs, too! We both prefer warm weather. I am totally psyched to have the squirrel monkey as my animagus form!

Eliza, Gryffindor
2009-11-19



#297 - smilingplatypus - Azure-Winged Magpie

I have chosen the azure-winged magpie (cyanopica cyana) as my animagus form. I love small birds and have felt a connection to them since I was a child. I have always wanted to fly and I dream of heights and speed; fortunately, azure-winged magpies are daring and innovative flyers, excelling at fast and steep flight. They are very intelligent as well: they have developed an extensive “vocabulary” of vocalisations and they have learned to identify when a cuckoo has laid eggs in their nests so that they can protect their own young. Azure-winged magpies are group-minded and dedicated animals: they mate for life, and a colony’s birds all cooperate in defense and in raising the chicks. This indicates that these magpies share my strong sense of loyalty and duty. As a proud Ravenclaw with strong Hufflepuff leanings, I simply could not choose an animagus form that was not intelligent and loyal.

Azure-winged magpies are rather bold birds which will chase intruders away from their nests. This type of magpie suits me for that reason particularly - I am generally cautious and quietly high-strung but was looking for an animagus form which would give me the opportunity to be slightly more daring. These magpies are still skittish and nervous, like all birds, so this form would not be too much of a difference from my normal behaviour - like me, magpies are at their boldest when they are looking out for others. They are social within their flock, but they are usually found far from human habitation and they rarely interact with unfamiliar birds. This reflects my own tendency to be social with a select few friends but aloof and awkward with strangers. They also live in relatively small flocks, an arrangement which appeals to me as well. Lastly, an azure-winged magpie animagus form manages to balance practicality with uniqueness. I have fallen in love with the bird’s plumage, but it is not overly flashy - and as a small bird it is inconspicuous enough not to cause a commotion if spotted, which is something I definitely wanted in an animagus. On the other hand, since these magpies don’t live in my part of the world, they are still unusual enough to be interesting.

Ellen, Ravenclaw
2009-11-19



#298 - vestigialwords - Newfoundland

strength without insolence
courage without ferocity

Lord Byron, regarding his loyal Newfoundland, Boatswain, in "Epitaph for a Dog."

Sometimes referred to as the "gentle giant" of dogs, the Newfoundland is a fiercely loyal companion known for its relaxed temperament and affinity for water. I feel that the Newfoundland is the animagus choice that best embodies who I am. Not only does its temperament echo many of my own personality traits, it offers me everything I wanted in my animagus form.

I have always been a dog person and as a rule, I gravitate toward the larger breeds. I found that even though they may be more physically imposing, they tended to be more relaxed and compatible with my own personality. The Newfoundland is no exception - in fact, despite its intimidating size, it is one of the most laid-back breeds of all. It will not snap or growl at children, illustrating its quickness to forgive and reluctance to take offense. These are all qualities that are reflected in my own personality. I'm a very difficult person to truly offend and holding grudges is against my nature.

I am a cool-weather person, preferring autumn and winter to the humid summer months. It’s not that I enjoy being cold, but that I like being warm despite the cold. The Newfoundland lives comfortably in a cold climate with its thick fur, which is even water repellent. As a rower, I spent a great deal of time near various bodies of water. My best memories have been formed near lakes and rivers, so water holds very strong positive associations for me. Considering that this breed is drawn to water-they have even been known to leap into backyard swimming pools if left unsupervised, the Newfoundland is a great match.

Even more importantly, the Newfoundland offers exactly what I wanted in my animagus form: loyalty, considerable size, strength, strength, and the ability to defend itself. One look at the Newfoundland and it’s no surprise that they make a formidable opponent. Even so, they’re better known as excellent guardians and for their natural rescue instincts, which illustrates the Newfie’s sense of loyalty. This was important to me, first of all because I value loyalty among friends, and secondly because I would never want my animagus form to feel the urge to turn on them. The animagus form should be an asset, never a threat. Furthermore, this bear of a dog is incredibly strong, surpassing even the Great Dane and many other working dogs in brute strength. As I am on the small side (5’2”) in real life, knowing that I have this size and strength on my side would be a huge comfort.

Finally, the Newfoundland, like many large dogs, is prone to lower-joint problems such as hip dysplasia. While this fact played no part in my decision-making process, considering that I had problems with my hips and knees in the past, I found the coincidence to be rather amusing.

Becky, Gryffindor
2009-11-18



#299 - mewithe - Asiatic Lion

This was a super difficult choice, but I believe the Asiatic lion and I have a lot in common. The Asiatic lion differs from its African counterparts in pride size. Asiatic lions tend to have an average of two females in a pride, with the largest group having five females. This not only mirrors the fact that I have a small group of friends, but also that I like to be near a small group of people that I know. Too many people can overwhelm me most of the time.

However, despite the smaller groups they are still social, having many different sounds, and just being generally cuddly. I did say in my app that my form would be a little more outgoing than I am, so that’s fitting.

Also, while I may be a hard worker, it takes me a bit to decide to actually get to work. Lions spend 17-20 hours lounging around and/or sleeping, and then the rest of the time goes to hunting, usually at night. I’m definitely more of a night person myself, preferring to sleep in. Curse you morning classes!

Another reason why I chose the Asiatic lion is because it can definitely take care of itself. I don’t have any upper body strength, so it’d be good to know that I could transform into a lion. Nobody wants to mess with a lion!

Oh yeah and I hate the cold. The Asiatic lion lives in a warm, humid environment, which is perfect~. I’ll actually feel nauseous if I get too cold, so no chance of that happening there!

Kat, Hufflepuff
2009-11-17

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