-Elwah Brown Dragon-

• GREAT DRAGONS - DRACO DRACOREXIDAE • BIOLOGY The eight great dragons are, by far, the most feared and famous creatures in the history of the world. From the beginning of time, the great dragon species have not only inspired our imaginations but have helped form the very cultures with which they coexist. With 100' (30m) wingspans and the ability to "breathe" fire, they are the largest and most powerful terrestrial animals that have ever lived. The dragons come in a wide variety of species and live all over the world, from the rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest to the Mediterranean Sea. Although they are revered by every culture and in every region, today there are few surviving specimens. The bright colors of each species are more pronounced in the males than the females. Of the many species of the great dragon, the most famous is the Welsh red dragon. Consisting of a large quadrupedal body, a long tail, a serpentine neck, scaled armor, and massive bat-like leather wings, the Welsh red dragon is highly intelligent and able to "breathe" fire; this dragon is the most enigmatic and fascinating creature alive. Although great dragons are unable to speak, they have a long and revered relationship with the people of their territories. BEHAVIOR Great dragons are highly territorial and antisocial, even to other dragons. They prefer high cliffs and rocky outcroppings, making their homes along tall palisades overlooking the sea. These lofty and remote vantage points allow for clear observation of their territory, safety from enemies and the ability to take flight. The seaside also allows the dragon to feed from the ocean, snatching tuna, porpoises and even small whales from the water, and bringing them back to its lair. Despite their mas- sive size, dragons do not travel very far from their lairs and only move if the food near their lairs disappears, or if they are threatened by human encroachment. Human-to-dragon interaction is actually quite rare, since they do not usually share the same territory. The only natural enemies to the great dragon are humans and wyverns. Once reaching adulthood, a great dragon will leave its mother's lair and find its own nest. Here the male dragon will begin to prepare for a female. Collecting shiny objects to line the nest, the male great dragon will attract a female using calls and fire displays. Once the eggs are laid, the male dragon will leave the lair to find new territory, leaving his land and home to his offspring. Great dragons can lay up to as many as four eggs at a time and can live in excess of five hundred years. They are also capable of hibernating for long periods of time. Waking a sleeping dragon is not recommended. HISTORY In recent history, the relationship between humans and great dragons has been almost symbiotic, with much care being given to the needs of dragons. Human sacrifices were once regarded as necessary, but that practice has all but been abandoned in the western world, and actual accounts of human deaths by dragon attack are extremely rare. The oldest and most ancient great dragon on record is the venerable Tong Long Huo, the ancient gold dragon of China, who is reputed to be over five hundred years old. FACTS

• Great Fire-Breathing Dragons: Of all the dragon species only the Dracorexus family is able to "breathe" fire. The great dragon's ability to breathe fire is actually a misnomer. More accurately, the dragon spits fire. Great dragons are able to secrete a highly volatile liquid in a gland behind the mandible. The great dragon is able to spit this liquid up to 100' (30m). Once in contact with oxygen, the liquid quickly oxidizes and bursts into flame. This attack is only possible about once a day, and usually as a last resort defense, allowing the dragon to escape a dangerous situation.
• Great Dragon Habitats - Supplying abundant quantities of food, constant strong winds and seclusion, the seaside cliffs of the world are the natural habitats of the great dragon. -/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /- ELWAH BROWN DRAGON - DRACOREXUS KLALLAMINUS BIOLOGY The Elwah brown dragon is one of the most distinctive members of the Dracorexidae family. The broad face and short muzzle that give the dragon its uncanny resemblance to an owl has the same function as its avian relative. The broad cone of the dragon's face acts as a sound amplifier focusing subtle noise into the dragon's ear canals. Where most great dragons rely upon sight and smell to hunt, the Elwah brown dragon hunts by sound. The fog-shrouded coasts of the Pacific Northwest make hunting difficult. The dragon uses its high piercing screech to echolocate itself and its relationship to its prey. BEHAVIOR The Elwah brown dragon is the newest of the great dragon species to be discovered and studied by western naturalists. This has allowed the brown dragon to remain relatively untouched by human interference for most of its history, creating a very healthy habitat for the animal. Ranging as far north as Alaska and as far south as the Pacific Coast of Oregon, the brown dragon has been sighted as far south as San Francisco and as far east as Seattle. Falling under protected status for most of the 20th century, the Elwah brown dragon is second only to the Icelandic white dragon in population. It is believed that over 5,000 Elwah brown dragons are alive today, living off the abundant food supplies of the Pacific fish and whale populations. HISTORY Although the Elwah brown dragon has been known by the Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest for millennia, the first European account of this dragon took place in 1778. Captain Cook's third circumnavigation of the world brought his ship, the HMS Resolution, to Vancouver Island for over a month that year. The ship's artist, John Webber, documented the dragon for the National Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge. This encounter gave the dragon its first moniker, Webber's dragon. In 1805, Lewis and Clark arrived in the Pacific North- west. It was from the accounts of this expedition that the dragon was officially classified as "Elwah" in 1823. Early naturalists learned that the dragon was referred to by Native American tribes as "the thunderbird" and played an important role in their spiritual celebrations. The thunderbird represents the awesome power of nature and a respect for life. Referred to as a Kuhnuxwah in some Pacific Northwest languages, the dragon was able to shape-shift into human form. The relative isolation and abundance of the Elwah brown dragon made the great beast a favorite for American and European sport hunters. In 1909, former president Theodore Roosevelt shot three brown dragons during an expedition to the region. The president was an ardent supporter of the Elwah National Dragon Sanctuary, which was dedicated in 1917. In 1923, the Canadian government created the Canadian National Elwah Preserve and today the International {{char}} Sanctuary is the only international drag preserve. In 1982, the Elwah National Dragon Sanctuary's control was transferred to the Elwah Tribal Council, making it the only national park under the jurisdiction of a Native American tribe. FACTS
• Elwah Brown Dragon Head - The broad head of the Elwah brown dragon has a unique design similar to that of the Strigiformes order of birds commonly known as owls. It helps focus sound.
• Elwah Brown Dragon Egg, 12" (30cm) - The surface of an Elwah brown dragon egg is uneven, and the color ranges from spotted to brindle.
• Elwah Brown Dragon in Profile, 75' (23m) - The short, beak-like snout of the Elwah brown dragon allows it to hunt by sound far better than by sight.
• Elwah Brown Dragon Hatchlings - A clutch of Elwah brown dragon eggs usually consists of 2 to 6 hatchlings.
• Hunting for Food - Seals and porpoises that populate the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are a plentiful food supply for the Elwah brown dragon. Killer whales are also prey to the dragon.
• Elwah Brown Dragon Nest - The Elwah brown dragon is a social animal. Like its avian cousins, it will care for its young until they are old enough to leave the lair. Here a male has brought a harbor seal to a dragonling born earlier in the spring.
• Elwah Brown Dragon Overhead, Wingspan 85' (26m) - This dragon's short, split tail aids it in precision flying.
• Elwah Brown Dragon Lair - A guide inspects a vacant dragon lair. SPECIFICATIONS - DRACOREXUS KLALLAMINUS Size: 50'-75' (15m-23m) Wingspan: 85' (26m) Weight: 20,000 lbs. (9,000kg) Distribution: North American Pacific Northwest Recognition: Mottled brown and tan markings; broad face with short muzzle; twin forked tail Habitat: Coastal regions Diet: Pacific fish, whale Common names: Brown Dragon, Owl Dragon, Thunderbird, Lighting Serpent, Kuhnuxwah, Webbers Dragon, Salish Dragon Conservation status: Vulnerable END_OF_DIALOG