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Vulcan Drake- Breedsheet

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Draco Major: Solumque Comedenti


~*The Vulcan Drakes~*~

Next page: TBA

Basic introduction
Vulcan Drakes are pretty much a volcano wrapped in a nasty attitude. Large, aggressive and bull headed these dragons are nasty beasties to run into. They are looked on by many as the 'Fire Dragon' of the Draco Major line and with good reason.

Base stats
Height: 28 ft (8.5 m) from the top eye to toe.
Length: 35 ft (10.6 m) from snout to tail tip.
Wingspan: 30 ft (9 m) wing tip to wing tip.
Weight: ~ 2000 lbs

Latin Name:
Solumque Comedenti -> Lava Eater
Max Land Speed: 45-50 mph
Diet: Anything it can get it’s jaws on
Lifespan: Oldest on record is 70 years
Habitat: Typically Volcanic caves or that of hot springs.
Anything warm, dark and mineral rich.

Fire Breather?:
YES. Breaths an intense flame as well as molten lava.
Uses:
Mainly for fighting but also hunting.

Basic Biology
Vulcan dragons are seriously wicked creatures with an equally complex Biology. The first species to split from the White Queen, these dragons are like fire spitting tanks. This species is the first to exhibit a gas or ‘Flight’ bladder which the white queen lacks.This species of dragon possesses the largest bladder out of all its kin which is the soul reason this monster of a dragon can fly. Because of this adaptation the wings have been able to shorten to a more manageable
size compared to the Queen. The long dew claw on the wing has expanded through this dragons evolution which helps it grasp cave walls as well as climb. While this dragon may not be such a danger in the sky it is a titan on land. Don't let it's immense weight comfort you, this dragon is the fastest one on land. The only thing that keeps this speed demon at bay is that it takes time for it to reach it’s max speed which gives observant people a chance to get away.

This dragon sports impressive horns, two primary and massive ones on behind the eyes with smaller ones descending down along the jaw. Like the Queen there are also smaller spines along the crest of the eye but also down along the top of the jaw. The scales along the back have evolved into more upright crests that act as a defense mechanism. Having these crests helps keep other dragons and especially other Vulcan’s from locking their jaws around the neck.

Their tails have shortened but the end has expanded into a hard club. As if this wasn’t enough, spines sprout from this club making it an even more dangerous weapon. These spines are not incredibly strong however and break off
easily though they are replaceable.

The jaw and teeth of this dragon is probably the most interesting feature they have. The unusual gap in the upper jaw acts as a locking mechanism when grasping prey which makes it even more difficult for those caught in its bite to get away. These dragons don’t have outer lips, their jaws more like that of a crocodile. This is more than likely due to this dragons habit of chewing and eating minerals from rocks.
This habit of eating such high volumes of minerals has given these Drakes a remarkable adaptation that should be possible. These dragons are able to spit up and 'breathe' molten lava. By regurgitating much of the rock and minerals they have swallowed this dragons will hock up and spit this molten rock on anyone that gets in their way. Primarily they use fire but if you really manage to piss one off they will switch to this method of attack. It's lead to their mouths being almost completely dead of nerves and the evolution of a special slip for their tongue. When spitting lava they retract their tongue into this slip or pouch which protects it from the intense heat.

Coloration for this dragon can vary but very little. Vulcan’s always have shades of grey and black but also can have splashes of red and orange. Depending on the region that they are from typically determines their color. Dragons from ashier regions tend to be mostly grey and black while dragons from more active volcanic regions or sexually active males tend to have more red.
All Vulcan’s have some sort of white to grey stripping on their legs though, this thought to be left over from the White Queen line.

Life Cycle
Vulcan’s mature fairly young when you compare them to other dragons. Males are sexually mature by their first year while females mature by 25 months (just over 2 years).

Males stake out territories whenever they can manage to, though it’s difficult finding one that isn't already occupied. Most prized territories are held by much older, stronger males so younger dragons are left to rule the outlands. Fighting and even death for territories is common and just a part of the life cycle for males. It’s actually common for some younger males to even be killed before ever gaining a territory of their own.

Fighting between males is brutal and harsh. Challenges are never initiated unless a male is serious and is willing to bet his life on the fight. A fight normally starts with both males facing off, throwing roars back and forth and fire displays before running at one another with their heads lowered. Sometimes the impact of their primary horns alone is enough to crown a victor but should the fight continue it gets brutal. The most common tactic by veteran males is to grab their opponent around the throat. Once locked in this hold the attacker may try to throw his opponent to the ground to be trampled to death or beaten by their club tails or just club their opponent to death.

For females life isn’t as difficult. Females are loners, free to go where they please and do what they want. They are polyestrous, meaning they can breed and raise young multiple times a year. Most only avoid breeding if they are injured or sick. When females do come into heat they have their choice of males and simply pick one by wandering into the heart of their territory. Females will often take advantage of this time and the males they choose to breed with. Since they’re open to mating they can linger with the male and even steal his kills without suffering repercussions. Females will mooch off male Vulcan’s until they are become pregnant. After that time they will leave the heart of the territory and linger between the boarders of two male territories. In doing so the female is allowed to scavenge kills until she lays her eggs.

When it is time for the eggs to be laid (often a month after mating) the female will seek out a sparsely used hot spring cave or volcanic vent. Clutches usually number between 2-3 eggs which is small though eggs are quiet large and sort of makes up for it. Eggs hatch within a week of being laid and once hatched chicks require almost constant feeding. Because of this high demand on mothers they will often wonder back into male territory to completely steal kills. This is only accomplished by a bit of trickery. Females will often act as though they are in heat and open to mating. Males then allow them to steal kills without a squabble. However the poor saps don’t realize that they are, quiet often, loosing their meals to feed another dragons chicks.

Chicks grow fast and are able to be on their own as earlier as 4 months after hatching. However female hatchlings will often stick with their mothers until another clutch is laid and they are chased off. Male chucks are driven off much sooner and are sometimes killed by mothers as to increase the survivability of female chicks. This is a rare occurrence though and only happens in abnormally large clutches.

Behavior
Vulcan’s are by far the most aggressive and dangerous dragon out of the Draco Majors. Ill tempted, mean and always hungry these dragons don’t need an excuse to ruin your day. Anything smaller than them is seen as a possible snack while
anything bigger is a threat that should be mawed. This bad temper even keeps other members of the species away and makes these dragons nomads. They live primarily solitary lives and only interact when breeding or when a mother has
chicks.

The most outstanding part of the behavior of these dragons is their utter and total addiction to salts and minerals. It’s because of this that they have made volcano’s and hot springs their homes. It’s also why their teeth and jaws have evolved the way that they have. Vulcan’s can often be seen ‘eating rocks’ or just scraping their teeth on stone rises. These dragons live and die for their minerals which has effected their entire life style and biology. It’s because of these minerals that their fire is so potent and what gives them the ability to actually spit molten lava. It also keeps their flight bladders full which allows their wings to be as small as they are while their bodies have grown quiet large.

Other resources:

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For :iconnordanner:'s Dragon Design contest.

Anyone else touch my angels here and I'll feed you to them :stare:
Seriously.
NO TOUCHIE!!!

THESE ARE NOT FREE TO CREATE!!!!
I do hope though that, should my angels be chosen by the group they continue letting me work on them. I have so many ideas and tons of ideas for more species and animals for the Nordanner Lands.

Should I not be chosen these dragons have a 'Plan B' home lined up. ^_^

And yes....ALL of these dragons are based on real animals to some extent. Oh how my evolutions class and Biology major has helped me. X3
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:icondonotplz::iconusemyartplz::icondonotplz::iconusemyartplz::icondonotplz::iconusemyartplz::icondonotplz::iconusemyartplz:

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