Dragoraptor

The Dragoraptor is today considered to be the missing link before the dinosaurs and snake-like dragons of ancient times and the modern four - to - six limbed element-breathing beasts of magic, honor and pure muscle. They existed about two million years before year zero - before the planet of Terra became inhabited - but it's a non-disputable fact that their kind lived for roughly 350 million years, being one of the longest lived dinosaur/dragonoids.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Dragoraptor looked like  a peculiar version of the movie Velociraptors in the Jurassic Park movies. It was a quadrupedal, with the front "legs" being wings too small to actually lift its body. It had a long tail and an enlarged sickle-shaped claw on each hindfoot, two horns on top of the head - larger with the males, feathers on top of the wings and top & tip of the tail and scales on the rest of the body. It also had an organ in its throat that has later been found in modern dragons and recognized as being necessary for fire breathing.

It's also suspected to have had neck frills capable of extending like a fan around their heads.

Ecology and Habitats

From looking for and recovering skeletons of Dragoraptors it's been established that they lived in areas that used to be dense, humid jungle that provided layers of trees, making some of them elevate and opening small "caverns" from the roots tangling together. 

They were nesting and hiding from the heat in those under-tree spots during the worst times of the days and coming out at dawn, dusk and night to hunt.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

When they were in their biggest numbers they were spread all over the East continent of Terra - most likely because it had better sunlight exposure and more bodies of water which were essential for its species.

Average Intelligence

It's speculated that Dragoraptors could communicate among each other with their own "language" of sounds and signs that no other creature would understand. They were smart enough to plan attacks ahead, remember hidden paths through the thicket and mislead prey towards the hunting party by walking and running off fake-lead type of paths.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

From what's known - from scientists and researchers - Dragoraptors had fairly good vision in darkness possibly being able to see up to 250m ahead in dim light and 100m in moonless nights. Their hearing could catch heavier steps on the ground, so smaller animals like rodents and even deer were most likely safe around them.

Dragoraptors could use their neck frills to sense big creatures in a wider area around them - it helped extend their sense of intruders up to 400m which most likely helped them plan and organize a hunting team. There is a long ongoing discussion if at that point, the first modern dragons, were able to use their in-species telepathy and basic magic abilities

EXTINCT

Scientific Name

Dromaeosaurids / Saurus Draconica

Lifespan

In the wild ~ 50y

Average Height

When stood on their hind legs and pushed on the tail for extra lift they can reach 2,5m height.

Average Weight

60kg for females; 80kg for males as they are more muscular and have the extra weight of two horns adorning the tops of their skulls

Average Length

Around 2,5m long with the tail alone being 1,5m of that.