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| Firefly Dragon Medium: digital painting |
Members of the Fairy Dragon family, Firefly Dragons are
about the size of robins or squirrels. They are a peaceful species, living off
flower nectar, fruit, and occasionally supplement their diet with insects.
They have no defense other than to fly away or spit a candle-sized flame, so
they are very shy. They are nocturnal. Firefly Dragons communicate by soft
chirps and squeaks and over longer distances by flashing
their bio-luminescent tendrils in different patterns.
Because they have no way to defend themselves other than to hide or fly away, Firefly Dragons tend to make easy prey. Thus they breed prolifically, laying about a dozen eggs in a single clutch usually twice every spring. Both parents care for the tiny babies once they hatch. Firefly Dragons are unable to create light until they are fully grown. Bio-luminescence is the last stage of their growth and signals maturity.
Firefly Dragons have been domesticated and are kept as pets because of their small size, docile nature, and ease of breeding. They are intelligent and can grow accustomed to humans and learn not to fear them. Domesticated Firefly Dragons have been bred to have brighter colors and more extravagant wing structures than their wild relatives. The dragon pictured here is a wild-type Firefly Dragon.
Because they have no way to defend themselves other than to hide or fly away, Firefly Dragons tend to make easy prey. Thus they breed prolifically, laying about a dozen eggs in a single clutch usually twice every spring. Both parents care for the tiny babies once they hatch. Firefly Dragons are unable to create light until they are fully grown. Bio-luminescence is the last stage of their growth and signals maturity.
Firefly Dragons have been domesticated and are kept as pets because of their small size, docile nature, and ease of breeding. They are intelligent and can grow accustomed to humans and learn not to fear them. Domesticated Firefly Dragons have been bred to have brighter colors and more extravagant wing structures than their wild relatives. The dragon pictured here is a wild-type Firefly Dragon.
