"... A docile creature that has no objection to being cuddled or thrown about."
-- Newt Scamander (FB)
Puffskeins are long-tongued custard-coloured little furballs that makes a calming purring noise. These pleasant creatures are often kept as pets, particularly by wizarding children; Ron Weasley used to own one until Fred used it for Bludger practice. As scavengers that will eat anything from leftovers to spiders – even bogies – and they are very easy to care for.
A group of puffskeins is called a poffle (JKR).
- Harry saw puffskeins at the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley just before his third year, but merely thought of them as humming furballs (PA4).
- There was a nest of dead puffskeins under the sofa of the drawing room of number twelve, Grimmauld Place (OP6).
- Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes sells miniature puffskeins called Pygmy Puffs (HBP6). Ginny Weasley owned a purple one named Arnold.
- Newt Scamander told MACUSA officials that he came to New York to buy a rare Appaloosa Puffskein, but in reality he came to America to release his Thunderbird, Frank. The Appaloosa Puffskein may not even exist (WFT).
- Ron owned a puffskein once, until Fred used it for bludger practice (FB).
Commentary
Etymology
If you immediately thought of "tribbles" from STAR TREK when you read about the "custard-colored furballs" in the Magical Menagerie, you're not alone. See the original series episode "The Trouble with Tribbles" written by David Gerrold for more information on that subject. As a matter of fact, David Gerrold got the idea for Tribbles from "flat-cats" in a short story by Robert Heinlein.
From the Web
"Puffskein" from Harry Potter Wiki
Pensieve (Comments)
Tags: fur pets wizarding children yellow