Difference between revisions of "Draconic Taxonomy"
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| − | Casual observers may initially perceive dragons as reptilian in nature. While it is true that both have scales and hatch from eggs, dragons differ from reptiles in at least one important respect: they are warm-blooded. In the field, the crews of harnessed dragons may seek shelter against their dragon's sides for the warmth given off. This is undoubtedly one of the characteristics that caused [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolus_Linnaeus#Systema_Naturae Carl Linnaeus] (1707-1778) to list Draconia as a separate class of vertebrates, ranking with Mammalia and Reptilia, in his ''Systema Naturae''. | + | Casual observers may initially perceive dragons as reptilian in nature. While it is true that both have scales and hatch from eggs, dragons differ from reptiles in at least one important respect: they are warm-blooded. In the field, the crews of harnessed dragons may seek shelter against their dragon's sides for the warmth given off. Sir [[Edward Howe]] notes that "heavier dragons greatly prefer warm environs, where their air sacs can more easily compensate for their great weight," and certainly all dragons enjoy basking in warm locations. However, warmth appears to be a pleasure rather than an absolute necessity for them. Young heavy-weight dragons - including a [[Regal Copper]], one of the largest breeds - have been observed to frolic in the icy waters of Loch Laggan with great enjoyment. Their basking behaviour thus resembles that of some mammals (notably, cats) rather than that of reptiles such as iguanas. |
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| + | This is undoubtedly one of the characteristics that caused [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolus_Linnaeus#Systema_Naturae Carl Linnaeus] (1707-1778) to list Draconia as a separate class of vertebrates, ranking with Mammalia and Reptilia, in his ''Systema Naturae''. | ||
Later researchers in the field of evolutionary theory established by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin Charles Darwin] (1809-1882) have established that both dragons and birds are descended from dinosaurs, specifically from the primarily carnivorous [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropoda theropods] rather than herbivorous [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauropodomorpha sauropodomorphans] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithischia ornithischians]. | Later researchers in the field of evolutionary theory established by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin Charles Darwin] (1809-1882) have established that both dragons and birds are descended from dinosaurs, specifically from the primarily carnivorous [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropoda theropods] rather than herbivorous [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauropodomorpha sauropodomorphans] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithischia ornithischians]. | ||
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| + | There is a paucity of data concerning members of the class Draconia other than dragons themselves. The one notable exception are the sea-serpents or, more properly, sea-dragons (''kiao'' in Chinese), which are known to live in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the China Sea. | ||
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| + | It remains unclear whether all sapient dragons are members of one species (''Draco sapiens'') or rather represent different species of the same genus. Sir [[Edward Howe]] | ||
Revision as of 20:40, 17 October 2008
Casual observers may initially perceive dragons as reptilian in nature. While it is true that both have scales and hatch from eggs, dragons differ from reptiles in at least one important respect: they are warm-blooded. In the field, the crews of harnessed dragons may seek shelter against their dragon's sides for the warmth given off. Sir Edward Howe notes that "heavier dragons greatly prefer warm environs, where their air sacs can more easily compensate for their great weight," and certainly all dragons enjoy basking in warm locations. However, warmth appears to be a pleasure rather than an absolute necessity for them. Young heavy-weight dragons - including a Regal Copper, one of the largest breeds - have been observed to frolic in the icy waters of Loch Laggan with great enjoyment. Their basking behaviour thus resembles that of some mammals (notably, cats) rather than that of reptiles such as iguanas.
This is undoubtedly one of the characteristics that caused Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) to list Draconia as a separate class of vertebrates, ranking with Mammalia and Reptilia, in his Systema Naturae.
Later researchers in the field of evolutionary theory established by Charles Darwin (1809-1882) have established that both dragons and birds are descended from dinosaurs, specifically from the primarily carnivorous theropods rather than herbivorous sauropodomorphans or ornithischians.
There is a paucity of data concerning members of the class Draconia other than dragons themselves. The one notable exception are the sea-serpents or, more properly, sea-dragons (kiao in Chinese), which are known to live in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the China Sea.
It remains unclear whether all sapient dragons are members of one species (Draco sapiens) or rather represent different species of the same genus. Sir Edward Howe
