Yellow River Mud Dragon
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Yellow River Mud Dragon is somewhat of an oddity among dragonkin, having an incredibly elongated body, crocodilian-like face, a long crane-like neck, a tail similar to a newt, and incredibly short stubby legs. The species has earned the nickname 'Chubby Mud Dragon' due to its stocky body and loose skin that often looks like rolls of fat. Like many aquatic dragons, the Yellow River Mud Dragon primarily uses its wings for display and thermoregulation when basking along the banks of waterways and are too small to be useful for flight in any capacity.
Genetics and Reproduction
Yellow River Mud Dragons build their nests in the silt along the banks of rivers and bury their eggs deep in the substrate. In order to prevent the eggs from drowning, this means they must venture rather far from the water's edge, and so their nests are frequently raided by predators whenever the parents venture into the water to feed. Primarily, incubation is done via the natural temperature around the nest due to this species' large size and rather small eggs to prevent crushing them.
Ecology and Habitats
Per its name, this species almost exclusively lives in and along the Yellow River in China, although can from time to time be found in other water sources nearby. Due to its niche as an aquatic fish eater, they do not often interact with the apex predators of its environment such as tigers or wolves but may from time to time scavenge their kills during migrations.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Like most aquatic dragonkin, this species primarily feeds on large bodied fish such as carp, catfish, and occasionally sturgeon. Rarely, although not undocumented, they will also feed on Chinese Pond Turtles and Chinese Softshell Turtles, though they do not make a significant portion of their diets. Due to their slow and clumsy nature on dry land, the species almost exclusively feeds in the water, lying along the muddy bottom of rivers in wait for fish to pass by and will use its long neck and face to snap at them from below. When feeding on bottom dwelling fish such as carp, the Mud Dragon will often pull back its neck like a crane to shoot forward and catch fish by surprise.
They have occasionally been observed scavenging kills made by tigers and wolves, but this behavior has exclusively been seen in individuals who are migrating from one river to another over land and seem to have come across carcasses accidentally rather than an intentional behavior.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Yellow River Mud Dragons do not have an observed social structure aside from their seasonal mate, and pairs will hunt together and take turns guarding their nests. They have very little parental care and do not raise their offspring. They however are tolerant of others of their kind outside of the mating season and generally will be indifferent to one another. In the mating season, males become aggressive to one another, however females will typically simply ignore one another completely.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Yellow River and surrounding waterways, China
Average Intelligence
It is noted that this species is quite intelligent, although not sapient. They do not make use of tools or language, but can easily recognize faces, boats, and canoes of people in the area and remember them for a lifetime as a friend or foe. Typically, their relationship with people is good, and attacks have never been recorded. It is common for the Mud Dragon to follow friendly fishing boats and beg for food and smaller individuals have been known to climb into fishermen's boats when larger and generally older members of their kind are hunting. A well known behavior in the species is that when basking along the edges of rivers, they will bellow to passing boats as a form of greeting.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
This species still retains the use of its flames, primarily for eating. After making a kill, the Mud Dragon will rise to the surface of the water and cook the fish in its mouth before swallowing it whole. It is thought, although not confirmed, that the species may use some form of echolocation or electromagnetic sense under water to hunt for food as well, due to structures on its skull, particularly the snout.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
The most common parasite of the Mud Dragon is the Blood Eel.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Dragonkin
Lifespan
Unknown
Conservation Status
Threatened
Average Length
15 to 25 feet
Average Physique
Stocky
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Brown, tan, and spotted with dark almost black patterns
Geographic Distribution
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