Greater Crested Dracon

The Greater Crested Dracon is a member of the famous order Draconea, and is one of the three extant 'bare-tailed dracons.' It is alternatively called the Arctic Dracon by some.

### Habitat & Physiology

The Crested Dracon lives in the freezing continent of Seola, where it is always sub-zero and is winter all year round. It has a long, elegant body that is slightly stockier than its cousins, and has a thick coat of pure white fur, which is greatly prized by Dracon poachers, along with its small ivory head-spikes. Under this fur coat, it has keratinous plates of layered scales that can trap heat, but also function as a hidden suit of armour. The fur grows freely over these scales. The Crested Dracon has small barbels and ears, a case of reduced extremities in response to cold environments. Where its close relatives' barbels are long and their ears are large, this Dracon's are small and short, minimizing the risk of frostbite. Its paws are large and padded, with the fur covering them completely, even to the toes, where other dracons' fur often stops at the elbow.

### Behaviour

Greater Crested Dracons are the apex predators of Seola- with the exception of the large underwater predators that lurk beneath the Northern oceans- and adult Dracons fear no other terrestrial animal. Crested Dracons live in small, tightly knit family groups consisting of a mating pair and their cubs. The male and female Dracon of the group will take turns hunting and caring for the cubs. The family group usually inhabits a den dug into the dense ice and snow and insulated with leaves and fur on the inside.

###### Diet & Feeding Habits

These Dracons are carnivores but may forage for berries and roots on occasion. They may consume 20% of their body weight in a sitting, and will go after big game like the large, elk-like Biondir and the armored Ephertus. In a family group, only one parent will hunt at a time, and up to six hunts may occur in a day, with one or two being successful. Once a kill is brought back to the den, the cubs will eat their fill. Then, and only then will the parents begin to eat.

###### Hunting Methods

The Crested Dracon is the apex predator of the Seolan tundra. The Drake will go after large herd-dwellers, as they possess the most food value. They will often spend time assessing a herd of Biondir or other such prey, making mock charges to test for weaknesses.

###### Breeding & Reproduction

Crested Dracons may have up to three cubs in a litter, and the mating pair will make great efforts to ensure that every one of them survives.

### Dangers Faced

Adult Greater Crested Dracons are hunted by no other terrestrial animal, but their cubs must be guarded by one parent at all times, lest they fall prey to a Ternfang, or any other opportunistic predator. The adults may be hunted by large underwater creatures such as the orca-like Atrinas, this only ever occurs when the Dracons swim between islands, a relatively rare occurrence. The main threat to the Crested Dracons is poachers after their rare, translucent keratin under-scales, ivory spikes and luxurious pure white fur.

### Trivia:

* The Greater Crested Drake is remarkably similar to Earth's polar bear.