Hippogriffs

Many of you will have heard of the Hippogriff from the Harry Potter books and films. They are the offspring of Griffins and horses, hatching from large grey eggs. They are much rarer than the griffin as the griffin does in fact enjoy hunting and eating horses, but when a hippogriff is born it is considered very valuable and a creature deserving of respect.
Great kings and Lords keep hippogriffs as they are much easier to tame than griffins, making them an effective mode of travel as well as a faithful companion. Another reason hippogriffs are often found in the houses of Kings and suchlike, is because the griffin parent will have been tamed and left without any mates. The urge to reproduce and the instinct for survival then drives them to mate with a horse. Usually the griffin is male and the horse a mare (female), but this is not always the case.
Hippogriffs are said to have a greater intelligence than griffins, and sorcerers with the ability to speak to animals often consult their hippogriff before making an important decision. They are also much faster and stronger than griffins, but can not fly as high due to their horse-like instincts of staying close to solid ground. They are supposedly found in Scythia and Sarmatia, where great sorcerers live alone.
Unfortunately, not much else is known about the ever-elusive hippogriff, who while happily serves others, refuses to give up his greatest weapon, his knowledge.
For more information, visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippogriff
• http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Hippogriffs