Wyvern

Wyverns are a species of dragon that have two legs and two winged arms. Wyverns are commonly found in wetland and marsh biomes in countries such as Teivos and Dica. They are the only species of dragon capable of spitting poison, as well as the only species that has wings on its forelimbs, as opposed to having them be separate limbs.

## Origin

It is not known where Wyverns originated from, but limited archeological findings suggest that they may have initially evolved around the Tew region of Dica. Some wildlife biologists have proposed the suggestion that early ancestors of the Wyvern originally lived in Teivos, but moved north to Dica when the climate started getting colder.

Evolutionary scientists have found genetic similarities between Wyverns and Drakes, suggesting that the two species of dragon share a common ancestor.

## Biology

### Size

On average, Wyverns are 70 cm long, including a 30 cm tail. Wyverns have a full wingspan of 65 cm. Male Wyverns are generally larger that females. The average weight of an adult Wyvern is 3 kg.

### Anatomy

Wyverns are two-legged dragons that have batlike wings on their arms. When traveling, Wyverns typically use these arms as front legs, allowing for easier locomotion. Wyverns will stand on their hind legs when they feel threatened, in order to seem larger and more intimidating.

The arms of Wyverns have adapted to have four digits with elongated phalanges, with dactylopatagia connecting the digits. Wyvern wings also have a propatagia connecting the fourth digit to the body. The arm of the wing is made up of a humerus connected to an ulna and a radius. The end of the arm has a strengthened and reinforced carpus, to which a singular claw is attached. The carpus allows this claw to have a small degree of mobility. Wyverns use this claw to hold on to surfaces when climbing, as well as to hold down prey while eating. The wings of Wyverns are not as powerful as the wings of Nurbian Dragons, and are primarily used for flying short distances or for gliding.

Similar to certain species of snakes, Wyverns have the ability to unhinge their jaws, dramatically increasing the bite radius. Wyverns have a set of pharyngeal jaws located in the pharynx, which has a significantly stronger bite force than the main jaws. These pharyngeal jaws are used to break eggshells when eating eggs.

Wyverns have a row of long, sharp spines that begin at the base of the neck and terminate at the beginning of the tail. The tail of a Wyvern ends in a venomous barb, capable of producing botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin that can cause nausea, blurred vision, minor paralysis, and pain. A sting from a Wyvern's tail releases approximately 5 mg of botulinum toxin, which is well above the lethal dose of 1.3 ng/kg (about 0.00078 mg for the average human).

One of the most notable aspects of Wyverns is their ability to spray a toxungen from their mouths. This toxungen is stored in glands located in adapted fangs. These fangs have small, forward-facing holes, which the toxungen sprays out of in geometric patterns when muscles in the mouth squeeze the glands. Prior to spraying the toxungen, Wyverns produce a distinct hissing sound. It is currently unknown whether the process that causes this sound assists in propelling the toxungen, or if it is done solely to enhance the threatening effect of the behavior. Wyverns typically spray the toxungen between 0.5 and 1 meter, although distances as high as 2 meters have been observed from cornered Wyverns.

## Behavior

Due to the thousands of years of close contact with humans, domestic Wyverns have developed behaviors such as affection towards certain humans and a degree of ability to understand the emotional states of humans.

### Activity

Wyverns are most commonly active during the evening and at night, beginning at around 13:00. Domestic Wyverns will spend most of their time either near their owner or at their owner's home.

### Hunting and Feeding

Due to the structure of their mouths, Wyverns are unable to drink liquids through suction. Rather, they have small channel in between their scales, which guide water to their mouths. Additionally, Wyverns will also get water from the food that they eat and from the general humidity of the area in which they live.

Wyverns primarily eat bird eggs and, if available, small prey such as rodents or birds. Wyverns are able to unhinge their jaws if needed in order to fit eggs into their mouths, and will break the shell of the egg using their pharyngeal jaws. Wyverns will then "drink" the albumen and yolk of the egg, before releasing the shell.

Wyverns are not adapted toward hunting behavior, but will kill and eat prey if no other food sources are available. When eating prey, Wyverns will hold down the corpse with the front claws, and will tear away meat using the mouth.

## Ecology

### Habitat

Wyverns typically live in warm, humid areas such as marshes, wetlands, or swamps. They are most commonly found in the wetland areas of Teivos and Dica.

## Trivia

* Wyverns are draw inspiration from spitting cobras, egg-eating snakes, bats, and moray eels.