The first in a series of dragon guide books that goes deeper into the know information about the dragons of Calluncia. Published in the year 1958 D.E. (Dragonotic Era) this book is considerably old, however is the only guide about dragons.
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The dwarf-serpent dragon is the smallest of the serpent-like dragons. They are not to be mistaken for a Amphisbaena, Lindorm, or any winged or dragon-like serpents (this includes the eastern dragon-newt) for they are true dragons who have evolved into serpent-like forms. In the case of the "Viper", as it is nicknamed, there are two distinctive breeds to look out for. Imagine an komodo dragon without it's legs and a long tail that is twice as long as it's body and with large fan-like bat wings covered in thick scales and a more triangular head, like a snake's. That is the common appearance for the two breeds, however the northern breed has a v-shaped crest that, from the side, looks like a backwards elvis hairstyle, the southern breed's crest is smaller and has a jagged edge that looks like a cluster of horns. Their actual horns are further back, small, and are basically pointed nubs. Another addition to this fearsome creature is that is has a rattle and rotating fangs.
Coloration is another issue, despite the common black to dark green and burgundy with blue, yellow, or red markings that all Vipers (dragon) have. The northern breed has a speckle and band pattern on their bodies and evil-looking eye patterns on their wings while the southern breed has diamonds running down their backs and duo-colored dots running down their sides as well as a rounder, less evil eye pattern. One thing they both have in common is the golden "collar" that appears at the base of the neck, just above the wings. They can lay creamy white eggs.
Vipers (dragon) all reproduce in the late fall. They congregate for a single week in an open, sunny spot, where males fight for the largest, flattest, and warmest sunning rock or spot in the clearing (varies per forest region) while the females watch on, looking for potential mates. Males with the prime spots and patterns are chosen, and the pair lift off into the sky. After the rutting week, the female will vigorously hunt every small prey item in her territory, even younger members of her own kind. She must gather as much food within her body before winter, where she will become vulnerable as the eggs swell her body. In captivity, the females lay their cream colored eggs by the beginning of winter, but in the wild it is far too dangerous. So wild Viper (dragon) females carry their eggs in their bodies for the whole three months of winter. The females then lay their eggs after the first thaw of spring, a day later they begin to hatch. Now this is where parenting ends, as the egg hatches. The last act a female will do for her young is cracking the thick shelled eggs open so they can easily escape and breathe out of the egg. Once the first born slithers out, she will leave them to their fates.
The young, independent from their mother, stick together for warmth from the early spring nights and protection from predators. They hunt as a collective and strangle the life out of their prey. Hatchlings are still developing their venom glands and striking techniques, and are venomless. By their first month they can give a nasty bite that would swell beyond measure and burn to any attackers that may target them. It is at this age they shed their baby fangs and leave to survive on their own. By the age of two their venom is at its full potency and the young themselves are fully grown, the following year they're able to breed.
Abilities of the Viper (dragon) range from their strong body muscles that can strangle life out of prey as easily as crossing your fingers, to their unique venom that changes as they age. First venom, as many dragon mages and... whatever you call people who study venom, is not deadly however is very painful bite to receive, and sometimes the fangs of the dragon fall out after biting. The fangs are replaced by a similar set waiting in reserve. Second venom develops at around one year, it's painful like the first, but not as bad. However it is toxic and can make any creature really sick by targeting the immune system. The final venom is the most potent, being able to kill three bull elephants. However as the venom changes, the amount that it is able to produce decreases as it takes more and more energy, time, and resources to make it. Hence why most bites are "dry" of venom.
Tips!: The Viper dragon is not very aggressive. Infact the young are skittish and quickly flee, the juveniles will rear up to try and intimidate their foe before fleeing, and the adults will simply rattle their tails before giving a warning lunge (which, if actually bite the enemy in the first strike, contains a dry bite) before striking with a real, venom filled bite. A treat that most tamed Viper dragons eat are eggs, infact it has been well known that these dragons will steal any egg dish their masters will prepare for themselves, however they never raid the chicken coop nor guest plates.
