Dragon Mating

Following the dragon wars, the mating habits of dragons have had to adapt in order to ensure a chance at rebuilding the population, but certain idiosyncracies of their old habits still remain. Female dragons have specific and mysterious practices known only to them when it comes to mating and caring for their young, and as such, much of it remains a mystery to anyone but them.
==Before the Dragon Wars==
Female dragons are notoriously picky when choosing their mates, and they partake in ritualized courtship before deciding on a mate. Generally, a male dragon announces himself in an area by roaring and showing off his strength. Female dragons would rise up on their hind legs and show off wings as part of the mating ritual. The male would then usually performs a mating dance and present her with food or some other token to entice her. If she accepted the offer, they would mate and the female would guard her nest in a solitary place. The specifics of this were a mystery not to be known to any but other female dragons.
==The Present Time==
Due to circumstances, the process of finding a mate has become somewhat more expedient and yet more covert at the same time. Wild female dragons have mostly kept to themselves, living in places where people are unlikely to happen upon, whether by inhostility of the terrain or by sheer remoteness. They remain picky and somewhat inscrutible, but older dragons such as Duskeye , who would have been rejected in the old days, have been able to sire eggs recently. A persisting tradition of females never revealing the identity of their mates remains, though with the scarcity of males, it isn't especially difficult to figure out the connections.
==Nesting==
Once a female dragon has successfully laid eggs, she guards the egg clutch closely, not allowing any intruders to see or approach. Recent events have led female dragons to accept some help in protecting their clutch, but they remain nonetheless reserved and suspicious. Even dragons with riders tend to keep their eggs hidden. The eggs are kept warm and isolated until they hatch, and once they do, the mother continues to watch after them until they are able to fend for themselves.
For more information, see Dragon Birthing.
Category:Dragons