======Niffler======
=====Creature Information=====
  * **[[Ministry of Magic]] Classification:** [[Beast]] (XXX)
  * **Native to:** [[Great Britain]]
  * **Habitat:** Subterranean lairs, up to twenty feet below ground
  * **Distinguishing Features:** Fluffy black fur, long snout, marsupial-like pouch on its belly for storing treasure
=====Description and Behaviour=====
A [[Niffler]] is a long-snouted, burrowing [[creature]] native to Britain with a powerful attraction to shiny and glittering objects. They are described as having fluffy black fur and resemble a cross between a mole and a platypus. Their most remarkable feature is a pouch on their bellies which functions similarly to a container with an [[Undetectable Extension Charm]], allowing it to hold a vast quantity of treasure.
While generally gentle and even affectionate by nature, [[Nifflers]] can be incredibly destructive in their single-minded pursuit of valuables. They will relentlessly dig through and ransack property to acquire anything that glitters, which makes them unsuitable as common house pets. Due to their innate talent for locating treasure, they are often employed by [[Goblins]] to burrow for precious metals. A female [[Niffler]] is known to give birth to litters of six to eight young.
=====History and Known Uses=====
[[Nifflers]] were first seen during the 1994-1995 [[Hogwarts]] [[school year]], when [[Rubeus Hagrid]] brought them to a [[Care of Magical Creatures]] lesson. He tasked his students with using the [[creatures]] to find hidden [[Leprechaun Gold]], with the winner receiving a large bar of [[Honeydukes]] chocolate. [[Ron Weasley]]'s assigned [[Niffler]] proved particularly adept at the task.
During [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s time as [[Hogwarts High Inquisitor]], [[Lee Jordan]] used a [[Levitation Charm]] to send two [[Nifflers]] into her office as a prank. The creatures proceeded to wreck the office in their search for shiny objects, even attempting to take the rings from [[Umbridge]]'s fingers. She incorrectly blamed [[Hagrid]] for the incident.
In the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], [[Hagrid]] brought his [[Nifflers]] to join the fight. They proved to be a surprising asset, swarming over [[Death Eaters]] and attacking them by trying to bite and snatch away shiny buttons, buckles, and other valuables. They were seen attacking the [[Death Eater]] [[Yaxley]] in this manner.
=====Etymology=====
The name //Niffler// most likely derives from the archaic English dialect word "niffle," which means "to pilfer" or "to steal items of little value." This directly relates to the creature's primary characteristic of hoarding shiny objects. The name also evokes words like "sniff" and "snuffle," alluding to its long snout used for smelling and digging for treasure. The adjective "nifty," meaning attractive or clever, could also be related, reflecting the desirable treasures they find.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * A [[Niffler]] features prominently in the //Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them// film series as a companion to [[Newt Scamander]]. This particular [[Niffler]] is known for frequently escaping from [[Newt]]'s suitcase to pursue treasure, driving many of the subplots. (film)
  * [[J.K. Rowling]] has stated that while the concept of the [[Niffler]]'s pouch was inspired by the echidna, real-life echidnas do not hoard treasure. (J.K. Rowling interview)