Sphinx

The Sphinx is a magical creature native to Egypt. It has the head of human, and the body of lion. Sphinxes are capable of human speech, and are known for their love of puzzles, riddles, and enigmas. When the Ministry of Magic began categorising magical creatures, the Sphinx was placed in the Beast category rather than the Being category due to their violent tendencies.

History
The Sphinx has been used for centuries to guard treasures and has been noted for violence when something threatens that treasure.

Crispin Cronk (1795-1872) once kept several sphinxes in his backyard. Apparently, the private ownership of sphinxes is (or was) illegal, as the Ministry of Magic sent him to Azkaban for it.

A female Sphinx was stationed in the maze during the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament of 1994-1995. The Sphinx guarded the closest route to the Triwizard Cup, and also gave a clue to Harry Potter concerning the last creature that was guarding the Cup. Harry Potter had to cross the Sphinx, and this was the clue that was given to him:

"First think of the person who lives in disguise,

Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.

Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,

The middle of middle and end of end?

And finally give me the sound often heard,

During the search for a hard-to-find word.

Now string them together and answer me this,

What creature would you be unwilling to kiss?"

The creature is a spider. The first clue refers to a spy, the next indicates the letter 'd', and the last clue means '-er'. String them together, and you get 'spyder' or 'spider'.

Gringotts Wizarding Bank has been known to place Sphinxes to guard some of the vaults, much to the annoyance of those customers who want to access their valuables but who are not that good at riddles.

Behind the scenes

 * In Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, the sphinx in the maze is a statue instead of a real one, and the player must lure the spider to come near it with a fly, which sends away the statue and allows entry.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
 * Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Notes and references
Sphinx Сфинкс