The Fire Crab is a large, turtle-like crab creature native to the island of Fiji[1]. It has six legs, and a heavily jewelled shell, with different colours[1]. It is able to defend itself by shooting flames from its rear end when it is attacked[1]. The Fire Crab is a protected species, and a reservation has been created to protect this species from Muggles, who would value the jewelled shell, and wizards who use the shells as cauldrons. Fire Crabs are sold and exported as pets, but the owners require a special licence. The Ministry of Magic states that a competent wizard should be able to cope with this animal[3]. Fifth years, for their Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L., had to demonstrate how to feed and clean out a Fire Crab without sustaining serious burns[4].
Different fire crab variants exist, which can be identfied by the jewels in their shells. Noted variants include shells fitted with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.[5]
Rubeus Hagrid was somehow able to get Fire Crabs and Manticores to mate, creating the hybrid Blast-Ended Skrewts.[6]
Behind the scenes[]
- Despite being a protected species, fire crabs appear as enemies that can be killed in many Harry Potter video games. Therefore, their role as such is likely not canon.
- In the Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets GBA and PC video games based on the series, the player must hit a fire crab with Rictusempra to knock it over, then cast Flipendo to push it into a pit. It will then either cease its attacks on you[7] or be unable to attack you.[8] In the PC versions Fire Crabs can be encountered in the Forbidden Forest, Diffindo challenge or in certain areas of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
- In the Prisoner of Azkaban game, it can be knocked over with Rictusempra and pushed with Rictusempra.
- In the GBA version of the Goblet of Fire game, they have to be splashed with water on their rear end.
- Incendio can be cast at a flipped over Fire Crab in the Gamecube version of Chamber of Secrets to kill it.
- In the PC version of Sorcerer's Stone, Harry encounters a Fire Turtle in the Fire Seed Caves in the Forbidden Forest. The Fire Turtle appears to be an early version of the Fire Crab. Its look is likely due to the 'first-time creation'.
- In the DS, PSP and IOS versions of LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, fire crabs are an enemy that can't be killed, but can be stunned using Stupefy. They also appear in the following game.
- Although in the video games their shells are multi-coloured, the Fire Crab that appears on Pottermore has clear jewels in its shell.
See also[]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game) (GBA version only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (DS/PSP/IOS version only)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (DS/IOS version only)
- Pottermore
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- ↑ Pottermore
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) - GBA version
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- ↑ GBA version
- ↑ PC version
Professors: Silvanus Kettleburn · Rubeus Hagrid · Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank (substitute teacher) | |||||
Textbooks: The Monster Book of Monsters · Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | |||||
Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts: Hagrid's Hut · Forbidden Forest · Care of Magical Creatures classroom | |||||
Creatures studied: Hippogriffs · Flobberworms · Salamanders · Blast-Ended Skrewts · Nifflers · Unicorns · Thestrals · Bowtruckles · Crups · Fire crabs · Knarls · Kneazles · Porlocks |