Dragon

(see this doc for actual workspace)

Sources

* https://marble-writes.tumblr.com/post/658103650729820160/dragon-wing-anatomy-study-this-is-not-meant-to

## Etc.

* Humans battle/slay dragons either for fun, self-defense, entertainment, or displays of strength/dominance (so that's a lot of valid spite towards humans)
	+ Said that the one who kills a dragon is entitled to their entire hoard AND (may) gain their draconic powers (TBC)
* "When you happen upon a dragon, it is best to slay it with all your might."

## Family (tbc)

* While dragons do have a sense of family and bond with their siblings, it is not to the same extent as most other species. Dragons tend to be more independent and solitary and Dragons are incredibly intelligent and social creatures. They can be found in various family dynamics, ranging from solitary and territorial, to cooperative and communal with extended family.
* Family members can identify each other by scent (instinctual)

## Life Cycle

### Reproduction

* Dragons are sequential bidirectional hermaphrodites, meaning that they can change their sex between male and female with no permanence.
* Dragons are only fertile during a rut or heat, which occurs 3 or 4 times a year. Thus, the opportunities to mate are infrequent, and so it is common for dragons to change their sex to accommodate for a lack of a biologically compatible mating partner.
* Dragons are also able to reproduce through parthenogenesis  and self-fertilizing. These cases are extremely rare, however, so research in this area is extremely limited.
* After fertilization, a dragon goes into a state of gravidity.

#### Ruts and Heats

Both ruts and heats are states of fertility characterized by a respective male's or female's urge to mate, commonly referred to as "mating periods." Typically, they occur 3 or 4 times a year, typically lasting 6–7 days on average. These are the only times a dragon is able to reproduce since this is when they become fertile. A dragon's mating cycle are not always consistent and can become quite unpredictable, especially if a dragon is in the presence of another who is in a rut or heat, physiologically encouraging a sudden rut or heat from the former.

Some common symptoms include. though do not apply to all:

* Urge to reproduce or assert sexual dominance
* Primal behaviors in all forms (growling, purring, marking, scenting, biting
* Heightened sex drive
* Hormonal instability

Although similar in motivation and appearance, there are some differences between males' ruts and females' heats.

### Gravidity

* The amount of eggs laid per clutch usually depends on age (as well as genus, size, nutrition, genetic composition, etc.): young adults can lay 3 to 10 eggs, adults can lay up to 25, and elders can lay clutches up to 30 eggs, although it is extremely uncommon.
* When gravid, a dragon does not experience any more heats or ruts until after the eggs are laid, to which its cycle returns back to normal. It also ends the current heat or rut during which the eggs were formed. Just stops right there. (And those are some reasons why dragons may choose to reproduce)

### Egg

Dragon eggs.png

(often left with Dragon Keepers.) / appearance, conditions for keeping, hatching

* The outer shell of an egg will typically be the same color as the parent who laid it.

* [Further into the [incubation] process, an egg will begin to grow scales. These scales serve as extra protection for the egg as they can only be destroyed by draconic magic. They are also very heavy (typically weighing between 20 and 50 lbs), making it difficult to remove it from its nest. Properties of an egg's scales, such as color and luster, depends on the hatchling inside.]
* When closer to hatching, an egg will morph and begin to resemble the hatchling inside, including its color and elements.
* The eggs of legendary hatchlings are always peculiar and unpredictable: their appearances are never consistent and they have been documented to show unusual behaviors such as teleporting and emanating light or energy.
* Gender is indecipherable during this phase.

* (what is done with egg shell after hatch) (saved as ingredients ? for alchemy and stuff?

## Maternal Instincts (Raising)

* "Do not baby a dragon, or else it loses its wings"
* Dragons may typically abandon their eggs when they hatch, or leave them with a dragon keeper. They may also raise them until they are a few months old, and then leave them to fend for themselves.
* But it is extremely uncommon for a dragon to continue raising a dragon until it grows old. Dragons do not typically have familial instincts + dragons do not have social norms like humans that make them feel pressured to care for their children.
	+ Exceptions: those who are closely related to humankind (who *do* have familial instincts); those who grew up in a tight community of other dragons.
	+ Most common practice is laying and abandoning their eggs surrounded by an element of the dragon's magic.

## Behavior (Instincts)

### Sounds

* Purring: relaxed, content, comfortable, satisfied; communicates trust and bonding; (can be used to attract and bond with potential mates as courtship)
* Hissing: threatened, concerned, displeased, annoyed; defensive display; territorial warning to intruders/strangers that they are unwelcome; (not as serious or threatening as growling)
* Growling: communicate aggression (intent to protect themselves, others, or their territory); warning or threat; challenges of dominance, establish authority)
* Roaring: assert dominance (esp during challenges/confrontations); territorial proclamation; display of power and intimidation

### Hunting

* Natural born predators/hunters; incredibly predatory creatures
* Prone to stalking, lurking, and pouncing
* Extremely carnivorous
* HUGE appetites
* **Play (hide n seek)**
	+ Dragons like playing hide and seek?
	+ Bc it satisfies their hunting instincts
		- **dilating pupils**

### Hoarding

* Most frequently hoard treasure
* Typically are attracted to shine and objects perceived to have high power and status
* Gravitate towards either what they consider valuable/having high status, anything shiny, and/or... whatever they want, really
	+ **hoard competitions**

### Thermal Regulation

* Sun-bathing (due to being cold-blooded)

### Territory marking

* Are extremely territorial, so they typically mark their personal territories by scenting, or physically through claw marks
* Some may mark it visually like with arranged stones or towering rock formations
	+ Human form: stor

### Courtship

* Showcase strength, agility, and beauty
* Engage in impressive arial displays
* Vocalizations
* Gifts (typically either part of their hoard or freshly caught prey) to very special ones/to impress possible mates

### Asserting dominance

* Since dragons are *extremely* dominant creatures, a lot of their behaviors revolve around dominance (since they *are* the dominant creatures of the animal kingdom whatever)
* Competitions/fights/duels
* Physical displays of dominance (puffing chest, spreading their wings)
* Roaring, growling, hissing
* Leading
* Greedy, selfish (TBC?)

### Personality

* Competitive
* Territorial; competitive
* Dominant, assertive, aggressive
* Inclined to intimidating others (herding)
* Infamously HATE sharing.
* Adventurous (constantly traveling)

### Etc.

* **Instinct to mate (perpetuate bloodline)**
* In general, dragons have bad habit (instinct) or stealing, especially from their loved ones/mate and regifting said stolen item like a proud dog wagging its tail
* Nocturnal, seasonal behavior/changes, sleeping patter
* 3-4 ruts a year (spring, summer, winter (sometimes “fall”)
* X will steal important things from mate to draw them in (rather than chase)

## Trivia

* Since a dragon is born from a clutch of multiple eggs, every dragon has at least one sibling.
* "Joke" that you don't mate with someone with the same color hair/fur/scales as you since high chance you're related
* Dragons have a good memory of their siblings/parents (TBC)

## References

1. ↑ Hermaphrodite: Sequential Hermaphrodite - Wikipedia
2. ↑ Asexual reproduction
3. ↑ Reproduction: Autogamy (Wikipedia)
4. ↑ Gravid - a term used in place of "pregnant" when an animal is egg laying.