Dragon

Dragon (pl. dragons) is a common term for a group within Vertebrata, one of 8 such groups currently extant (alongside mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, dinosaurs, and kaiju). Several species of dragon exist across the world.
Dragons are believed to have evolved from reptiles. The species have existed for many millennia, and have appeared in the mythical legend of several different cultures and nations around the world. However, their size made them key targets of hunting groups. As of 2023, the vast majority of dragon species outside of Kemet and Cascadia are endangered.
Various species of dragons are found around the world in every continent, bar Antaria. Dragons are known for two things: being able to fly, and their ability to defend themselves by spitting out a caustic acid (which medieval observers misidentified as "breathing fire"). Dragons were key in understanding lighter-than-air travel during the early years of aviation, and it is said that the Wright Flyer was derived from a dragon in a zoo near the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop. 
Dragons are directly descended from the few dinosaurs that survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. Dragons play a major role in folklore around the world. Most species of dragon are omnivores.
==Etymology ==
The word dragon entered the English language in the early 13th century from Old French dragon, which, in turn, comes from the Latin: draconem (nominative draco) meaning "huge serpent, dragon", from Ancient Greek δράκων, drákōn (genitive δράκοντος, drákontos) "serpent". The Greek and Latin term referred to any great serpent, not necessarily mythological.
The Greek word δράκων is most likely derived from the Greek verb δέρκομαι (dérkomai) meaning "I see", the aorist form of which is ἔδρακον (édrakon). This is thought to have referred to something with a "deadly glance," or unusually bright or "sharp" eyes, or because a snake's eyes appear to be always open; each eye actually sees through a big transparent scale in its eyelids, which are permanently shut. The Greek word probably derives from an Allo-Tapanthian base *derḱ- meaning "to see"; the Sanskrit root दृश् (dr̥ś-) also means "to see".
The scientific name for the genus, Aerolacerta, is a combination of the Latin terms aero- (air), and lacerta (lizard), This owes to a quote from Jetzeburgian military general William Mascote, who referred to a dragon as "a great lizard in the sky" in his diary.
==Taxonomy==
===Species===
There are at least 27 extant species of dragon.
Image	Scientific name 	Common name 	Distribution 	Description
 	Aerolacerta rubrumii 	Great red dragon 	Kemet 	The largest dragon species, sitting at around 25 meters (82.02 ft). It has red skin. The species is arguably the most well-known type of dragon.
 	Aerolacerta septembis	North Gallitonian dragon	Gallitonia 	Around eight meters (26.24 ft). It has olive green skin. It is native to northern Gallitonia. The species is highly endangered.
 	Aerolacerta australis	Southern dragon 	Tarestian Peninsula	The smallest dragon species, at just under three meters (9.8 ft) in length. The species, native to the Tarestian Peninsula, is purple in colour.
== Relationship with humans ==
=== Conservation ===
=== Attacks ===
Dragons have on occasion attacked human settlements, for a variety of reasons. Records of dragon attacks go back to around 3,000 years ago, with purported attacks on tribal communities across western Alparia. The destructive nature of these attacks led to the common stereotype that dragons were violent creatures, leading to the hunting of dragons in large parts of Tapanthia, Allangria, and Eurapolia. Attacks from dragons in the modern day are rare, but are widely reported. Dragons may attack as a retaliatory or protective measure.
=== Hunting ===
=== Cultural depictions ===
==Trivia==
*The dinosaur roars in the Jurassic Park franchise, are actually sounds made by dragons.
Category:Species
Category:Dragons
Category:Vertebrata