Zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor… Nyke Daenerys Jelmāzmo hen Targārio Lentrot, hen Valyrio Uēpo ānogār iksan. Valyrio muño ēngos ñuhys issa...Dracarys!
(Translation from HIgh Valyrian: “A dragon is not a slave… I am Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, of the blood of Old Valyria. Valyrian is my mother tongue...dragon-fire!")
I would be lying if I said that this scene with the 'Mother of Dragons' didn't give me goosebumps. We have all been fascinated and dreamt about the majestic fire breathing dragons at some point in our childhood (while some continue until much later). These four-legged legendary serpentine beasts have a place in the folklore of various cultures across the world - Vṛtra in Hinduism; Long or Lung in China; Mušḫuššu of ancient Mesopotamia; Apep of Ancient Egypt; Python, Ladon, and Typhon in Greek mythology; Jörmungandr, Níðhöggr, and Fafnir in Norse mythology. One can choose to believe or not believe in the existence of dragons as depicted in the legends. However, nobody can question the existence of the following dragons.
Komodo Dragons
Scientific Name: Varanus komodoensis
Type: Reptiles
Average life span: Up to 30 years (wild)
Size: 3m in total length
Weight: 135 kg
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
Diet: Carnivore (primarily scavengers)
Reproduction: Mostly sexual reproduction. Sometimes parthenogenesis.
Habitat: Indonesian islands of the Lesser Sunda group.
Dragons might be mythical creatures, but the heaviest lizards on Earth, the Komodo Dragons, are the closest we get. They have razor-sharp teeth and venom secreting glands (although they don't spew fire). When threatened, they can throw up the contents of their stomachs to lessen their weight in order to flee (weird, but true!). Occasionally adults cannibalize their own young ones. So, the youngs often roll in faecal matter, thereby assuming a scent that the large dragons are programmed to avoid. Sex determination is pretty tough owing to a lack of obvious morphological differences.
Bearded Dragons
Scientific Name: Pogona sp. (Genus with 8 species)
Type: Reptiles
Average life span: 4 to 10 years
Size: 45 to 55 cm (adult, including tail)
Weight: 280 to 500 g
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Diet: Omnivore
Reproduction: Mostly sexual reproduction. Sometimes parthenogenesis.
Habitat: Warm and arid areas of Australia.
Bearded men look good don’t they? So do these distant cousins of iguanas. The bearded dragon not only changes colours on different parts of its body, but also changes its shade in sync with its circadian rhythms; dark in the day and progressively gets lighter. It shows an advanced form of social learning - imitating another’s behaviour. Male embryos can reverse sex and hatch as females if the temperature is hot during egg incubation.
Flying Dragons
Scientific Name: Draco sp. (Genus with 42 species)
Type: Reptiles
Average life span: Unknown
Size: 20 cm (adult, including tail)
IUCN Red List Status: Not evaluated.
Diet: Insectivore - ants and termites.
Reproduction: Sexual reproduction.
Habitat: Across Southeast Asia and into Southern India.
While the above two ‘dragons’ disappointed those who truly believe that dragons must fly, this genus of lizards consists of true gliding reptiles, an adaptation that serves them well in the tropical forests of India and Southeast Asia. Males are highly territorial and will use their ability to glide to chase rivals from the two or three trees that they happily share with select females and claim as their own. Although they are capable of ‘flying’ for a distance of slightly above 8m, they can soar in the air for much longer distances. They have ribs that can be extended or retracted, which when combined with unfolded skin create the wings. A flap of skin below their necks, called dewlap function as flight stabilizers, while their slender tail helps in steering. It is indeed such a spectacular sight to witness this creature in flight.
Black Dragonfish
Scientific Name: Idiacanthus atlanticus
Type: Reptiles
Average life span: 1 year
Size: 50 cm (female) 7 cm (male)
IUCN Red List Status: Least concerned.
Diet: Carnivore.
Reproduction: Sexual reproduction.
Habitat: Atlantic Ocean.
Chinese attribute their dragons with the element of water, and true to their belief, the black dragonfish looks like the grimmest of fairy-tale villains, with a long, black body and terrifying, fang-like teeth. It is a deep-sea fish that is uniquely adapted to the darkness, low temperature and high pressures found at depth as much as 2000m below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. The female dragonfish has a pretty good eyesight and also has a thread-like organ with a bioluminescent tip that is used to lure the prey, making it quite dangerous in its domain
Note to the readers:
A couple of years ago, there was a huge debate on whether Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion are dragons or wyverns. Do read about it, if interested. Also do read about the various dragons mentioned in the legends.
References:
This article was originally published as part of the Pujabarshiki 2020 by IISER Kolkata Campus Radio.