Cavern Dragons

CAVERN DRAGONS

SCIENTIFIC NAME- *Dromaeodracos Spelunca*

DIET-CARNIVORES

HABITAT-Deep caves, underground

APPEARANCE

These controversial dragons are pretty common, and can be found outside of Draelvary alongside rubble dragons. They have a build similar to that of dromaeosaurid, only real difference being the small wings on its back. They can get up to 5 feet tall and around 15 feet long, with a small wingspan of 7 feet. They are covered in quills and feathers, and have small feathered crests on their heads. While the body has feathers and quills, the wings are completely bare.

Because they look so similar to dromaeosaurids, some people think they actually are. But that wouldn’t make much sense, and it has been proven that they share most of the same dna as dragons. It’s possible that it’s just a coincidence.

They have very thin teeth, like needles. They have a venom sac behind the eye. Just one bite from these guys is enough to cause high fevers and infection, resulting in death if not treated.

They come in many colors, browns, blacks, yellows, and oranges. Something that intrigued many who study these dragons is the pretty intense gender dimorphism. The males have no feathers, only quills. And the females have only feathers. They assume the feathered females are to keep the young warm in cold and dark caves, but are still unsure of why the males wouldn’t have the same.

The eyes can be bright yellows and oranges, and they are extremely sensitive to light. Because they live their whole lives in caves, the eyes are heavily adapted to the darkness. Bringing them out into light practically blinds them.

BEHAVIOR

They travel in small packs of up to 5 members, with one male leading a pack of females. The hierarchy works similar to that of a pride of lions.

They live in the deepest part of caves, with almost no light. They run around caves for hours, eating absolutely everything they can find. Small lizards, bugs, and even work together to hunt down a lone Desmodus or rubble dragon. They have no set territory, they will wander together. Once tired out they will climb to the top of the cave wall, and fall asleep. They have a reflex that allows them to sleep and also cling to the ceiling at the same time.

The large wings are incapable of flying, are perfect for cushioning falls in gliding across caves and around obstacles. They're also used for intimidation.

The only time they do have a set territory is when they are getting ready to nest. They look for a place in the cave that has a bit of water, and flat surfaces. They use stones to form nests. The male does most of the hunting at this time, the females will take turns helping him hunt or keeping the eggs warm.

Once they hatch, they'll stay at the nesting site until the hatchlings are about a week old. After that they will begin wandering again and once they reach adulthood, the females will be allowed to stay but the males are forced to leave and find his own pack.

The male will have to fight and kill another male to gain the females that he had. And usually, after the old male is killed, they will eat him. These dragons are not afraid to cannibalize.

COMPETITION

They used have quite a bit of competition, with night dragons coming in at night and terrorizing them and desmodus fighting for space.

Luckily, rubble dragons make large cave systems deep in the ground. Night dragons and desmodus do not go that deep, because they go outside to hunt. So now they face little competition. Although some do wander back too far, if it's alone that usually means its death.

KNOWN CAVERN DRAGONS

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