A strange-looking spider that was recently discovered in India is making headlines due to its remarkable resemblance to an enchanted hat from the Harry Potter books.
During an expedition in a mountainous region of the country, researchers spotted the odd arthropod and were immediately reminded of the 'Sorting Hat' made famous in the wildly popular J.K. Rowling epic.
Being fans of the series, the scientists decided to dub the newfound creature 'Eriovixia gryffindori' in honor of the fictional owner of the hat Godric Gryffindor.
For those unfamiliar with the Potterverse, the Sorting Hat is a magical cap which can talk, read the mind of anyone wearing it, and also performs administrative duties at the Hogwarts School by assigning students to different houses.
While the newfound 'fantastic beast' may not boast those abilities, it's unique appearance does allow for the spider to safely hide from predators by camouflaging itself among fallen leaves.
So, in its own way, the creature is kind of bewitching in that it can seemingly disappear to avoid being eaten.
And, for a three-inch-long insect just trying to survive in the mountains of India, that may be all the magic it really needs.
Source: BBC News