One of the most popular mythical beasts in fiction, dragons are as different as the authors who write about them. In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, dragons are dangerous creatures with a lizard-like appearance and an aggressive attitude. These attributes made dragons untamable, even for witches and wizards.

RELATED: Harry Potter: 10 Times The Golden Trio Broke Hogwarts' Rules

Throughout the Harry Potter series, many characters had the pleasure (or displeasure) to encounter some of these rare beings and discover for themselves whether they're as fearsome as legend says. J.K Rowling's story was full of all sorts of powerful, dangerous, and gentle magical creatures.

10 The Antipodean Opaleye Was The Most Subdued And Beautiful Dragon Breed

Harry Potter's Antipodean Opaleye breathing fire

Native to New Zealand, the Antipodean Opaleye was widely considered to be the most beautiful dragon breed in the Wizarding World for its iridescent scales and multicolored eyes. Unlike most dragons, which favored living in the mountains, the Opaleye dwelled in valleys where it could easily catch its favorite prey, sheep.

Though it was capable of producing a very vivid scarlet flame, the Opaleye was relatively subdued and rarely killed unless it was hungry. Its eggs were pale gray and often looked like fossils to the untrained eye.

9 The Romanian Longhorn Was Hunted Into Near-Extinction For Its Prized Horns

Romanian Longhorn in Harry Potter lore

Easily recognizable for its dark-green scales and golden horns, the Romanian Longhorn was classified as an endangered dragon species. Over the years, its horns had become a hot commodity as they were highly valuable potion ingredients, leading to a drastic decline in the Romanian Longhorn's population.

The rocky Carpathian Mountains, the Longhorn's primary habitat, later became the largest dragon reservation in the Wizarding World. In the mountains, dragon conservationists like Charlie Weasley have launched an intensive breeding program to increase its numbers.

8 The Common Welsh Green Was Best Known For Its Melodious Roar

Common Welsh Green from Harry Potter lore

The Common Welsh Green was one of the tamest dragon breeds, actively avoiding contact with humans and preying on sheep in the lush hills of Wales. The Common Welsh's most distinct features were its serpent-like appearance and its high, melodious roar. It also emitted fire in thin jets rather than streaks.

RELATED: 10 Strongest Animagi In Harry Potter, Ranked

Despite the breed's passivity, a Common Welsh attacked the town of Ilfracombe in Devon, England in 1932. A Wizarding family who resided in the area stopped the dragon in time and received the Order of Merlin for their efforts. Over six decades later, Fleur Delacour would face a Common Welsh in the Triwizard Tournament.

7 The Hebridean Black Was The Most Hostile British Dragon Breed

Herbridean Black breathing fire from Harry Potter lore

Much more aggressive than its British cousin, the Common Welsh, the Hebridean Black inhabited the mountainous Hebrides of Scotland. Known for its brilliant purple eyes, the Hebridean Black had bat-like wings and an arrow-shaped spike at the end of its tail.

The Hebridean Black could grow up to thirty feet in length and it fed on deer and cattle. The MacFusty family, a Wizarding clan who had been residing in Scotland for generations, usually looked after the Hebridean Black specimens in their territory.

6 The Chinese Fireball Enjoyed Feasting On Pigs And Humans

Chinese Fireball flying from Harry Potter lore

Also known as Liondragon for the golden spikes around its face, the Chinese Fireball had crimson, smooth scales and could produce two mushroom-shaped flames from its nostrils. It could weigh between two and four tonnes and feasted on all kinds of mammals, though it preferred pigs and humans if they were available. Its eggs, which were scarlet and gold, were prized in Chinese wizardry.

RELATED: 10 Strongest Harry Potter Characters Who Didn’t Attend Hogwarts

Unlike other dragon species, the Fireball wasn't extremely territorial and could share with up to two others of its species. Viktor Krum fought a Fireball in the Triwizard Tournament's First Task.

5 The Swedish Short-Snout Could Burn A Human To Ashes In Seconds

Swedish Short-Snout from Harry Potter lore

The Swedish Short-Snout was covered in silvery-blue scales and resided in the uninhabited mountains of Sweden. Its skin was hugely sought after, as it was essential in the manufacture of high-quality protective gloves and shields. The Short-Snout also issued a brilliant blue flame from its nostrils that could burn flesh and bone to a crisp in a matter of seconds.

The Annual Broom Race, which was held in Sweden since the tenth century, awarded a trophy resembling a Short-Snout to whoever won that year. For the Triwizard Tournament's First Task, Cedric Diggory had to steal an egg from a Short-Snout.

4 The Norwegian Ridgeback Was Especially Aggressive To Its Own Kind

Norberta the Norwegian Ridgeback dragon shortly after hatching in Harry Potter

Best known for its resemblance to the Hungarian Horntail, the Norwegian Ridgeback was particularly aggressive to its own species and would feast on any kind of large mammal, including aquatic ones. In 1991, Hagrid was given a black egg that would later hatch into a baby Ridgeback, which he named Norbert.

During its first months of life, Norbert showed that it could breathe fire earlier than other dragon breeds and possessed venomous fangs. The Ridgeback was later relinquished to Charlie Weasley, who renamed it Norberta after it was discovered to be a female.

3 The Ukrainian Ironbelly Was So Large It Could Destroy Entire Buildings

Harry Potter - Ron, Hermione, and Harry on a  Dragon

The Ukrainian Ironbelly was the largest dragon breed in the Wizarding World, able to grow to an astounding weight of six tonnes. Despite being slower because of its size, the Ironbelly was incredibly lethal, as it was capable of destroying entire buildings with its massive body and elongated talons.

RELATED: 8 Most Difficult Magical Abilities To Master In Harry Potter

In Deathly Hallows, the Golden Trio encountered a metallic gray Ironbelly in Gringotts that had been guarding the Lestrange family vault. After freeing it, they flew it halfway to Hogwarts before jumping off its back and letting it continue on its way.

2 The Peruvian Vipertooth Had A Particular Taste For Humans

Peruvian Vipertooth flying from Harry Potter

The Peruvian Vipertooth might be the smallest recognized dragon breed, but it was far more vicious and dangerous than it appeared. Copper in color, the Vipertooth was quick and venomous, a combination that proved fatal to the countless humans it attacked over the years. Its taste for human flesh became such a problem that the International Confederation of Wizards sent in exterminators to reduce the Vipertooth's population.

In the Middle Ages, dragonologists who worked with Vipertooths were the first to contract Dragon Pox, a disease similar to the Muggle chicken pox. The Peruvian Vipertooth was also the mascot for the Tarapoto Tree-Skimmers, one of the best Quidditch teams in the league.

1 The Hungarian Horntail Was The Most Vicious Dragon Breed In The World

dragon breathing fire from Harry Potter

Considered the most dangerous dragon breed, the Horntail was native to Hungary and was easily recognizable for its lizard-like appearance. It had black scales, yellow eyes with cat-like pupils, and bronze horns that protruded from its long tail, which it frequently used in battle. The Horntail had the longest fire-breathing range of up to fifty feet.

In 1994, Harry faced a Hungarian Horntail during the Triwizard Tournament. It was described by Charlie Weasley and Hagrid as aggressive and vicious, traits that it displayed during the First Task when it attacked Harry. It flew remarkably well despite its large size, almost catching up to Harry and his Firebolt.

NEXT: 10 Strongest Aurors In Harry Potter, Ranked