Pygmy Puff

• Type: Magical Beast, Pet
• Related to: Puffskein
• Creators: Fred Weasley and George Weasley
• Native to: Bred in Great Britain
• Distinguishing Features: Miniature size, spherical body, long fur in pink and purple hues, makes squeaking noises.

A Pygmy Puff is a miniature magical beast bred and sold by Fred and George Weasley. They are characterized by their small, round bodies covered in long, fluffy fur, which is typically either pink or purple. These creatures are small enough to be held in the palm of a hand or to ride on a person's shoulder. They are known to communicate by emitting high-pitched squeaks. As a miniaturised breed of the Puffskein, the Pygmy Puff shares its ancestor's docile temperament. They are gentle, enjoy being cuddled, and do not object to being handled or petted, which has made them extremely popular as pets within the wizarding world. While their diet is not specified in the novels, standard Puffskeins are known to be scavengers that eat leftovers and small insects like spiders. (Pottermore)

Pygmy Puffs were created by Fred and George Weasley as a new product for their highly successful joke shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, located at Number 93, Diagon Alley. They were introduced to the public in the summer of 1996 and were marketed as part of the twins' WonderWitch product line, which was primarily aimed at young witches. The creatures became an immediate and immense success. Upon visiting the shop, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger observed a large cage full of the pink and purple furballs, which was surrounded by a crowd of delighted and squealing girls.

Pygmy Puffs are introduced in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Their existence serves as a clear and colourful indicator of the Weasley twins' entrepreneurial talent and the success of their business. The popularity of the Pygmy Puffs highlights Fred and George's ingenuity and their ability to create highly desirable magical products. On a personal level, Ginny Weasley buys a purple Pygmy Puff from her brothers' shop and names him Arnold. Arnold becomes her pet during her fifth year at Hogwarts, and she is often seen with him perched on her shoulder, including during the journey on the Hogwarts Express. The pet provides a lighthearted glimpse into Ginny's personality and is mentioned during a conversation where she expresses annoyance at her then-boyfriend, Dean Thomas, for being overprotective.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Ginny Weasley is shown holding and interacting with her Pygmy Puff, Arnold, which is depicted as a small, vibrant purple furball. (film)
• The official Wizarding World website confirms that Pygmy Puffs are a specific breed of Puffskein. (Pottermore)
• Both Pygmy Puffs and their larger relatives, Puffskeins, appear in the video game Hogwarts Legacy. They can be found in the wild and cared for within the player's Vivarium in the Room of Requirement. (video game)