Walking leaves
These dragons look like carnivores, but they do in fact eat very little. Instead, they absorb energy from the sun by means of the chlorophyll in their skin, just like plants do. To this end, they also drink a great deal of water.
It is suspected that they carry symbiotic green algae in their skin, which soon fuse with their cells to turn into chloroplasts – cell organelles also present in plants and responsible for photosynthesis. This theory is supported by the observation that all walking leaf dragons are born in Nature, where nests are lush and green. Some of that verdure may creep in along the seams at the top of the egg where the leaves sprout, joining the developing hatchling.
However, only Mirrors and Wildclaws have the ability to form this symbiotic bond. Perhaps this is because they were created by the sister deities of Plague and Nature. Plague dragons are more inclined to survive alongside microbes that might harm other dragons, while Nature dragons thrive with plants as close as possible, even microscopic ones like algae.
Walking leaves require a lot of sun to grow strong. The wings may turn autumnal when the temperature drops and the days get shorter. In these conditions they will eat more regular dragon food, and they also become more lethargic in unideal weather. They enjoy the company of plant-like familiars – such as druids, stranglers and janustraps – and prefer not to wear much if any apparel, since covering their skin inhibits their energy intake.
Primary gene: Ripple
Primary colours: Emerald–Leaf
Secondary genes: Eye Spots
Secondary colours: Avocado–Crocodile (except Radioactive)
Tertiary gene: Basic, Smoke, Spines or Stained
Tertiary colours: Thicket–Goldenrod or Sand–Chocolate
Breed: Mirror or Wildclaw
Flight: Nature
