Mackled Malaclaw

Mackled Malaclaw
Species information
Eye colour	Black
Skin colour	Grey with green spots
Native to	Europe
Alternative names	Malaclaw
Length of average adult	12 inches
Mortality	Mortal
Distinction	Resembled lobsters Bites caused bad luck Caused illness when eaten
Ministry of Magic Classification	Beast XXX
Status	Extant

The Mackled Malaclaw was a magical land beast which closely resembled the lobster in appearance. The Malaclaw had light grey skin with green spots, with its color being slightly more vibrant following a moult before gradually returning to normal, and could reach a length of twelve inches. Although it resembled a lobster, it was unfit to eat, and anyone who ate flesh of a Malaclaw would come down with a nasty fever and develop a green rash.

Description

The Malaclaw was found along the rocky coastline of Europe and dines mainly on crustaceans. A bite from a Malaclaw had the unusual side effect of making the victim unlucky for up to a week. Any witch or wizard bitten by a Malaclaw should call off all bets, wagers and ventures since they would definitely go against them.

Over time, Mackled Malaclaws eventually outgrew their shells, necessitating them to moult and grow a new shell over a period of around a week. However, during the moulting process, their bodies were much softer and less protected, leading to them acting more nervously than they would normally. They also needed to consume a special diet when preparing to moult, although they needed to do so at their own pace without being forced. Rubeus Hagrid was able to prepare special creature food that was considered sufficient for a Mackled Malaclaw to eat at this time. Moreover, they needed to remain calm during the process, with too much stress or energy potentially causing them to get sick. When it was time for a Mackled Malaclaw to moult, it would build a den out of rocks in which it could safely rest and recover while its new shell grew and hardened.

The tail of the Malaclaw could be used in potions. At the age of fourteen, the potioneer Zygmunt Budge was capable of correcting his Potions Professor on the use of Mackled Malaclaw tails in potion-making. This, among other signs, made Budge feel he was prepared to enter the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship despite being underage.

Appearances

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (First appearance)
• Fantastic Beasts: Cases from the Wizarding World
• Wonderbook: Book of Potions (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
• Hogwarts Legacy (Mentioned only)