Where to Find Thestrals and Catch Shiny Thestrals in Hogwarts Legacy

I have spent more time than I care to admit lurking in the misty corners of the Hogwarts Legacy map, trying to fill my Vivarium with every magical beast. Thestrals always stood out to me. They are the only creatures in this game that truly feel wild and haunted, and that makes catching one strangely rewarding. These skeletal, bat-winged horses can only be seen by people who have witnessed death, and in the open world they remain one of the rarest beast types. Unlike Unicorns, which have a single den, Thestrals appear at two fixed dens, so at least you have a choice when planning your rescue route.

After owning the Deluxe Edition and unlocking Sepulchria, the Thestral flying mount, I still wanted wild Thestrals for my Room of Requirement. The main reason is Thestral Hair. Feeding and brushing a rescued Thestral gives this rare material, which I needed for gear upgrades at the loom. Being able to see them does not make them easy to approach, though. My first few attempts ended with the herd scattering into the fog before I could even pull out my Nab-Sack.

Where I Found Thestrals

The most accessible den is in the North Ford Bog, directly north of Hogwarts Castle. I recognized the area from Deek's quest The Foal of the Dead, which teaches beast breeding. The den sits in a fairly open, marshy stretch, but the creatures still blend into the grey landscape surprisingly well. I recommend visiting during daytime or using Revelio to highlight their outlines, because at night their dark bodies can vanish against the rocks.

The second location is far to the south, on the eastern shores of Marunweem Lake. This one is farther from convenient fast travel points, and the terrain around the lake makes sneaking a little more difficult. However, it felt more isolated, and I had better luck finding a herd without other enemies nearby. Both dens work for regular Thestrals, so if one herd flees, you can simply travel to the other and try again.

The Approach I Used

Stealth is everything with these beasts. I always cast the Disillusionment Charm well before entering the den area and then walked slowly through the grass. Thestrals are not aggressive, but they are extremely alert. The moment one spots you, it takes off and the others follow. I learned to freeze the nearest target quickly.

Once I was close enough, I used Arresto Momentum to slow it down, followed by Glacius or Levioso to keep it immobilized while I switched to the Nab-Sack. The sequence matters less than the preparation. If you go in running or start blasting spells at the herd, you will spend a lot of time waiting for them to respawn. I found that isolating one on the edge of the group worked better than trying to grab a beast in the middle.

After the capture, I released the Thestral into a Vivarium, fed it, and brushed it. Immediately it produced Thestral Hair, which I used for upgrading gear. The material is not common, so having a reliable source in my Room of Requirement saved me a lot of travel time.

Shiny Thestrals Are a Different Challenge

If you want a truly rare prize, go for a shiny Thestral. I spent several in-game nights traveling around Marunweem Lake before one appeared. Shiny Thestrals look noticeably different: their hide is light grey or white, with a silver shimmer that stands out against the usual dark herd. I found mine east of Marunweem Lake, which seems to be the only reliable place for the shiny variant.

The catching method is identical. You still need the Disillusionment Charm for stealth and a control spell like Arresto Momentum, Glacius, or Levioso before using the Nab-Sack. The shiny version is just much less common. Once you catch a shiny Thestral, you can breed it in the Vivarium, and there is a chance for shiny white offspring, which makes the whole process feel even more rewarding. I kept a shiny female in my swamp Vivarium and paired her with a regular male, and the pale foal that eventually appeared was one of my favorite moments in the game.

Quick Reference Table

Final Thoughts

As of 2026, these Thestral dens remain reliable parts of Hogwarts Legacy, and the game's approach to magical beasts still feels satisfying. I no longer see Thestrals as spooky background creatures. They are intelligent, faithful, and surprisingly beautiful once you watch them move through the Vivarium. If you want rare upgrade materials or simply want to complete your beast collection, I suggest starting with the North Ford Bog den, then heading south to Marunweem Lake for shiny hunting. Bring patience, keep your Disillusionment Charm ready, and do not forget your Nab-Sack.