Guide to Dragons

Black Panther Dragon

Name: Black Panther dragon (Draco nigrum pardus)

Element: Electric

Size: 4-5 feet (1.2192-1.524 meters) tall, 7-8 feet (2.1336-2.4384 meters) long, 250-300 pounds (113.398-136.078 kilograms)

Diet: Mammals, some fish

Habitat: temperate areas

Description:

Some people think this dragon was named for its color. Other say it's because it look like black panther. Both are incorrect.

This dragon was actually named "Black Panther Dragon" because whoever found it noticed it was a stealthy hunter, much like a cat. It even has pads on its feet.

It also likes trees. In fact, when it catches prey, it will take the animal to a tree to eat it. Black Panther Dragons also make their nests in trees.

This may be one of the most solitary dragons. Most dragons get along decently well with at least their own species, but the Black Panther Dragon prefers to be alone. Once, two captured Black Panther Dragons were put inside of an enclosure together to test this theory. They kept away from each other, usually staying on the opposite sides of the enclosure. They were released soon after.

This solitary attitude may be because these dragons don't usually grow up around a lot of their kind. Chicks are raised by one parent, and the most eggs laid on record is three.

Breeding season is short for these dragons, but loud. Most have separate territories, but what they actually consider their territory often collides with another Black panther Dragon's. The territory is often a part they share, since the two dragons' "hunting ground" overlaps.

All in all, each dragon still has a lot of land. Which means that to find a mate, males will often call for them. This "calling" is more of a howl, and males do it every night in mid-spring for roughly a week until a female finds them.

A breeding pair stays together only until their egg(s) hatch. Most females lay one or two eggs.

Once the eggs hatch, any female(s) will follow their mother until they reach their third year. Then they set out on their own. The same applies to males, except they follow their father.

This dragon is mostly nocturnal, and relies on smell to sniff out prey. They can also supposedly see in the dark, but this has never been proven.

Black Panther Dragons traditionally eat medium-sized mammals, like cows, horses, pigs, deer, but also enjoy rodents and fish.

I think that this dragon's love for farm animals might've caused more than a few farmers to attack these dragons, most likely shoot them (mistaking them for wolves).

All I can say is that those farmers were lucky. My best guess is the sound of the gunshot scared off the dragon. When in a fight, this dragon is merciless. Agile, quick, and unafraid of almost anything and everything, this is not a dragon you'd want to fight.

If you do agitate this dragon, just leave. Like most dragons, they won't attack unless provoked, and I think you'd be better served to stop messing with dangerous creatures. They hate loud noises, so if one is attacking you, keep away from its teeth and talons, make a loud noise and run.

This dragon is generally decent with other dragons and humans, but do not get near its chicks. The parent will often let its chick(s) wander a lot, but don't ever think that the parent isn't nearby and watching.

Also, if you are confronted with a lone chick (highly unlikely), do not panic if you see what appears to be a flame or fire coming out of its mouth. Chicks have a specially adapted tongue that has evolved to look like fire to scare off attackers. Or at least until they can run away. Don't worry! This dragon can't breathe it's element until its second year, by which point the tongue grows into a normal, forked, Black Panther Dragon tongue.