The wizarding world is a parallel universe of its own wherein we muggles wished we lived in.

The Harry Potter series may have ended, but the wizarding world continues to grow -- thanks to grand master creator J.K. Rowling, of course.

Centuries of wizarding history has been uncovered through historical accounts on Pottermore. Harry's legacy is being continued in the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

And in two weeks time, we will be treated to a whole new era of the wizarding world in the latest movie installment -- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them -- which has been revealed as the first of five movies in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

Wild.

Apart from seeing how magic operates beyond the shores of England, the magical creatures that roamed the whimsical wizarding world in the Harry Potter series take center stage in the new film, set in New York City in the 1920s.

Here's a quick education on a few magical creatures to keep you up to speed with the wizarding world that will unfold in the film:

1. Niffler

You may not remember, but this creature made an appearance in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where Hagrid used them as part of his Care of Magical Creatures class.

Rodent-like with a long snout, Nifflers are attracted to shiny items, which make them wonderful companions if you're hunting for treasure. Ferocious in their quest to find all things shiny, they will not hesitate to destroy anything in its way.

Nifflers have a pouch on its belly that stores a seemingly impossible amount of things -- works much like the undetectable extension charm. For non-Potter fans, it's sort of like Doraemon's pocket.

2. Bowtruckle

Described as a "a small twig-like creature that guards wand-wood trees", Bowtruckles are a stick-like creature that survives on a diet of insects (amusing, seeing how it looks like a stick insect itself).

They have extremely nimble fingers which make them valuable when you have locks to pick.

They might be the next magical creature we coo over after Dobby the house-elf -- given that they are extremely sweet and loyal, and was already chosen by lead actor Eddie Redmayne as his favourite creature in the movie.

3. Thunderbird

This large, majestic bird has a head much like an eagle (or a Hippogriff -- remember Buckbeak?) and multiple wings that can create storms when flapped. A creature native to Arizona, Thunderbirds have the ability to sense danger.

Here's an interesting fact: One of the houses in the American Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is named after the creature.

4. Snooping Evil

While this might be the worse name ever given by J.K. Rowling, I guess we can say that it is aptly named -- a cross between a reptile and a gigantic butterfly with colourful wings, the creature is strangely beautiful -- but is capable of sucking out human brains. Anything more evil than that is perhaps a soul sucking Dementor.

The good thing is that it's venom, if properly diluted, helps erase bad memories. Comes in handy if you ever meet a Snooping Evil.

5. Demiguise

An ape-like creature with silky silvery hair and black, doleful eyes, the Demiguise is not any ordinary primate. Armed with the ability to turn invisible at will and a sixth sense, you might need some luck finding one.

Which is good for them, because it's hair is the stuff invisibility cloaks are made of, making them extremely prized.

6. Occamy

A two legged, winged creature with a serpentine body, it's aggressive to all who approach it, especially since the shell of its eggs are made of the purest, softest silver.

This is one creature who's appearance is still shrouded in mystery, because it has the ability to grow or shrink to fit any space available. We shudder to imagine what might happen when one is let outside -- but we are pretty sure that's going to happen in the film anyway.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be released in Singapore on Nov. 17.

Top image from Fantastic Beasts Movie's Facebook page

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