Quote:
Info (based on the Ridgeback entry) - this is a long post
Quetzalcoatlus-based dragon:
Obtained:
???
Rarity:
???
Breeding Cooldown:
???
Diet:
Meat, Seafood, ?
Overview
Quetzals are gigantic dragons. The breed originates from The Shattered Plain, and most of their species still calls this territory home. A small number have begun to venture out into the world, but their size and feeding mechanisms make it hard for this species to survive in other places.
Physical Attributes
The Quetzal is an impressive dragon, towering metres above other species. Both sexes possess a large crest on the back of their head that stops growing after maturity. They are covered in a fine, yet coarse, fur to insulate themselves when the temperature drops at night (
I'm treating the plain like some of the areas near our equator; hot during the day, in the minus at night). These dragons bathe in dust to keep cool during the hotter months and it is advised to keep your distance when they shake it all off - sometimes it is enough to create sandy-dust clouds which can make dragons cough and splutter.
The males have a dewlap which is used in mating displays, it starts on the beak and ends on the neck and the females have a more circular crest compared to the males.
Quetzals, like Mirrors, have two pairs of eyes which allow them to see during/in nearly all conditions - one pair are like regular eyes, they can detect shapes and colour, the other can see in thermal vision.
These dragons will spend hours sunning themselves in the plains, and take care in preening their fur for tics and unwanted twigs, dust or whatever ends up in their fur. Quetzals are not afraid of the water, in fact, they are somewhat like gannets (
idk what the fr equivalent is) with their fishing routine.
This is the only dragon species to walk using the knuckles of their wings, their forearms are much too short for them to be used for mobility.
Social
Quetzals are herding dragons which believe that nest building is a normal and necessary part of life, other dragons may disagree and believe that a good nest should only have to be built once and by one's self for that matter, never-mind a small social flock! It is common to see them roosting together because it is much easier to share warmth than to mourn for those who could not survive the cold nights. In some cases it is common for dragons to take turns as a clan to keep eggs on a nest warm.
Lairs
Large open plains with nest mounds are what the Quetzals prefer, lone trees nearby hold vital shade for the less adapted, hatchlings and the elders. Small stashes are dug using their long beaks to store food, trinkets and other items worthy of hoarding. Mixed-species lairs often see other dragon species moaning over the constant exposure to the outside if a Quetzal is in charge.
Tactics
Not an aggressive species, their size makes them gentle giants; torn wings or broken limbs can be detrimental for their survival. But if pressed into battle, a Quetzal will crash into their foe using their sharp beaks and talons to scratch and dismember their foes. It is hard to escape an enraged Quetzal, their two pairs of eyes allow them to see no matter what the conditions. Although social these giants prefer to fight alone; close formations tend to create as many damaged friends as foes.
