Antipodean Opaleye

Antipodean Opaleye
Species information
Eye colour	Multicoloured
Skin colour	Pearly
Related to	Dragon
Native to	New Zealand
Mortality	Mortal
Distinction	Less aggressive than other dragon species
Ministry of Magic Classification	Beast XXXXX
Status	Extant

The Antipodean Opaleye was a breed of dragon native to New Zealand. It was known to migrate to Australia in search of territory. This breed of dragon was a loyal creature and the least dangerous and deadly dragon of all.

Description and traits

The egg of an Antipodean Opaleye

It resided in valleys, which was unusual as dragons typically resided on mountains. It was generally considered one of the most beautiful dragons, with pearly scales that lined its body, glittering multi-coloured eyes that had no pupils, and a tail that waved elegantly. The Opaleye's eggs were pale grey and had been known to be mistaken by Muggles for fossils, and its flame was vivid red.

The Opaleye was notably restless and loved to fly; among dragons, Opaleyes had an unusually strong instinct to fly, it was in their nature. It rarely stayed in one place for very long and would not settle down for just anyone. One might have been able to keep its attention for a time, but it would inevitably fly away. This made them notoriously difficult to capture on canvas, something that had long frustrated artists who'd been trying to paint their impressive loveliness. Despite it's restlessness and the fact that it was a dragon, the Opaleye was not particularly aggressive, rarely killing unless it was hungry. Its prey of choice was sheep, but it had been known to attack larger animals. A flock of sheep was enough to overcome an Opaleyes restlessness and keep it in one place for a while, it would feast for hours. Either that or one would have needed a very strong bond with the dragon.

History

In the 1970s, several kangaroo killings were thought to have been caused by a male Opaleye that had been ousted from its territory by a dominant female. At some point around 2009, several dragons became sick, including an Antipodean Opaleye which was the sickest. Charles Weasley asked Rubeus Hagrid to help care for them, and when the Opaleye was cured, Hagrid took some scales from her and gave them to Lottie Turner as a gift.

Behind the scenes

• The dragon that was chained in the Gringotts vault shares the same characteristics as an Opaleye, although the dragon is believed to have become pale due to a lack of sunlight. It is revealed in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, however, that the dragon guarding the Lestrange Vault is actually a Ukrainian Ironbelly.
• It is possible this breed was somewhat inspired by both the Taniwha and the Rainbow Serpent, New Zealand Māori, and Australian Aboriginal deities with high cultural impacts. The fact that the eggs are mistaken for fossils may also allude to the opalised fossils found in South Australia.

Appearances

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (First appearance)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Illustrated Edition
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
• Hogwarts Legacy (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells