The Hungarian Horntail

The Hungarian Horntail is a dragon native to Hungary and is considered the most dangerous dragon breed. You know him from the film version of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where it broke free from its chain and attacked Harry. The two of them fought in an exciting chase that spanned all around the castle grounds, almost causing Harry to fall to his death.

It had black scales, and was lizard-like in appearance. It also had yellow eyes, with vertical pupils like a cat’s, bronze horns and similarly coloured spikes that protruded from its long tail which it would gladly deploy in combat. The dragon’s roar was a yowling, screeching scream, and its flame could reach to about fifty feet. While having a very far reaching flame, the Horntail’s breath could reach extremely high temperatures, as it made a stone turn red hot in seconds. Its eggs were cement-coloured and particularly hard-shelled. The Horntail’s foods of choice include cattle, sheep, goats, and whenever possible, humans.

Close up of an Hungarian Horntail

Horntails were also known for being one of the most vicious and aggressive breeds of dragon, and that was saying something since all dragons are known to be ferocious; even Rubeus Hagrid commented on their ferocity saying that the Horntail was a “right nasty piece of work”. This breed was especially aggressive when protecting their young. Along with their viciousness, tail spikes and fiery breath, Horntails were shown being extremely fast in flight while able to keep up with a Firebolt broomstick, a broom capable of going from 0 to 150 miles per hour in 10 seconds. Horntails were also seen able to keep up with Harry Potter’s flying skills; a very impressive feat considering Harry’s talent as a seeker.

• appearance: black scales, bronze horns, spiked tail
• eyes: yellow, vertical pupils
• roar: yowling, screeching scream
• flame: up to fifty feet
• food: goats, sheep, humans
• eggs: cement-colored with very hard shells