by flyteck » Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:52 am
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(artgoeshere)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q. What are they?
A. First off, bat dragons are not truly dragons. This is simply a misconception, similar to how koalas are not bears and red pandas are not pandas. When they were first discovered, people though they were dragons due to their size and ability to fly. They are mammals. Bat Dragons are a large mammal with flaps of skin which serve as wings. They have sloped hindquarters, and are able to walk on all fours using their "thumbs" like front feet. They all have nostrils rather than noses. Bat Dragon's are unable to stand on only their front legs, but they can balance and walk on their hind legs with practice. Although their origins are hazy, it is believed they are descended from bats. Bat Dragons generally range from 3.5 - 5 feet at the shoulder, although some can be as small as 3 feet or as tall as 5.5 feet. There are four different breeds of Bat Dragon, each adapted to feed easily on a specific food source. They generally don't get along in the wild, although they can in captivity (if brought up with the other species, much like cats and dogs). Bat dragons cannot talk to humans (although many can understand their body language), but can communicate with each other and other animals through barks, grunts, and chirps.
Q. Any general habits they have?
A. All bat dragons are naturally diurnal (active during the day) (bats cannot actually see in the dark, and use echolocation to navigate for that reason. They only hunt at night to avoid the majority of large predatory birds.), and they sleep lying down on the ground. A very small few sleep hanging from their tails. Bat dragons do have echolocation and can fly at night, but most prefer daylight. Bat dragons tend to be curious, and most will explore new things without hesitation. Bat dragons are also very trusting, but like horses, can spook. If abused or mistreated, most bat dragons will become afraid of or aggressive towards humans.
Q. How smart are they exactly?
A. Bat dragons are normally about as smart as a border collie. Very trainable, smart enough to figure out problems, and like dogs, smart enough to ask for help when they need it. Bat dragons have an emotional level equal to that of a human, and can read expressions very well. They can mostly understand human words too, although they learn from listening, so wild bat dragons don't know many words right away. The difference between BDs and most people is that bat dragons are fiercely loyal to their owners. Bat dragons are individuals, just like people. They all have unique personalities, and each will have friends and enemies. It is important to remember this, since a bat dragon fight can be very dangerous.They also don't take kindly to being treated as if they are stupid.
Q. Breeding?
A. (Breeding is not currently available.) Bat dragon breeding season is in spring (April - Early June). To court, male dragons (and occasionally, the female) will do aerobatic performances to impress their mate of choice. If the other likes the performance, they will take off and join in. Bat Dragons mate for life, and most will never pair again, even if their old mate dies. They will grieve for long periods of time, and may become slightly aggressive after losing a mate.
Q. What are they used for?
A. Bat Dragons are used much like horses. They are ridden for work and for pleasure. They can walk and run fairly well on the ground, but their best point is in the air. Bat Dragons can carry their riders very high into the air, and can fly for long periods of time. Smaller breeds like nectar eaters can be used to pull carts or ploughs, as well as giving small children rides, although they are normally just kept as pets like dogs.
Q. Being so big, how are they able to fly?
A. It would seem that way at first, but Bat Dragons are built for flight. They have hollow bones much like birds, which reduces their weight. But these bones are strong and hard. Bat dragons all require a lot of calcium in their diets to help keep their bones hard. Most bat dragons will take a running start to fly, but they can sometimes make a standing take-off. They cannot hover, and must flap almost constantly to fly.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carnivores:
(artgoeshere)
►Thick, pointed teeth
►Blunt muzzle, like that of a bull terrier
►Thick, short thumbs with sturdy claws, hind feet with claws
►Largest Bat Dragon breed (Between 4.5-5.2 feet, with some abnormalities)
►Hunt individually, rarely with a pack of omnivores
►Feed on large herbivores + herbivorous bat dragons
►Stays to own species (unless with pack of omnivores)
Omnivores:
(artgoeshere)
►Long, slightly blunt teeth
►Long, sturdy muzzle, like that of a wolf
►Clawless hind feet, cat-like claws on thumbs
►Mid-size (4 - 5 feet at shoulder)
►Hunt in small packs (groups of 2-5) or individually
►Feed on small mammals + fruit
►Sometimes travels with carnivores or herbivores
Herbivores: RETIRED. Will not be made any more.
(artgoeshere)
►Rabbit/Beaver like teeth
►Long, sturdy muzzle, like that of a wolf
►Clawless hind feet, dog like claws on thumbs
►Mid-size (4 - 4.5 feet at shoulder)
►Travel in herds (groups of 6-20)
►Feed on grass + some fruits
►Stays to own species
Nectar/Fruit Eater:
(artgoeshere)
►Long, delicate, pointed teeth for skewering fruit.
►Teeth can break if used to eat anything but soft fruit
►Hummingbird-like tongue for drinking nectar
►Whippet-like muzzle
►Clawless hind feet, aye-aye like thumbs, but longer claws
►Small (3.5 - 4 feet at shoulder, with few abnormalities)
►Sometimes difficult to ride due to size, often is a companion animal
►Travel in flocks (groups of 2-8)
►Feed on flowers + fruit
►Stays to own species, single members may travel with herbivores
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by
flyteck on Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:32 pm, edited 2 times in total.