Merfolk Fact or Fiction

True or False:

According to the scholarship of Newt Scamander as found in his book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, merpeople are a sapient species that fully qualify for Being status in the wizarding world but, as a race, have refused this classification, preferring instead to be considered Beasts.

Artist's rendition of a mermaid who lives in the Black Lake at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Artist's rendition of a mermaid who lives in the Black Lake at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The answer is: TRUE.

Merpeople, along with centaurs, rejected Being status in 1811 due to their objection that Dark creatures, such as hags and vampires, also claimed Being status.

Learn more in Care of Magical Creatures at Fiddleheart Academy this summer!