Dragon of the Month: British Spitfire Dragonette

British Spitfire Dragonette(Dragonel)
Volucrisus britainicus

Size: 25'
Wingspan: 30'
Recognition: Bipedal body with small fore limbs. Long tail and broad wings. Bright green and tan markings (male) Brown Markings (female)
Habitat: Highlands of the British Islands
Taxonomy: Draco/Aerodraciforme/Volucrisidae
/Volucrisus/V. britainicus

Soaring high over the lake district, or winging across the English Channel in bright formations, no sight in the dragon world conjures a more romantic image than the English Spitfire Dragonette. The Dragonette has a long history in Britain, beginning with its introduction by the Romans during the reign of Claudius in the 1st C. Although small breeds of wild dragonettes existed earlier, it is the Roman Dragonette that begins the proud tradition of riding dragons in England. When Rome abandoned its English provinces in the early 5th C. the English dragon riding tradition went fallow for hundreds of years during the reigns of the many saxon and viking warlords.In 1066 William the Conqueror reintroduced the riding dragon to England where today's breeds begin their lineage. During the middle ages the monarchy prided itself on a formidable dragon force, and many knights used riding dragonettes as their mounts. During the crusades many knights returned to England with Arabian breeds that were additionally added to English breeding stock. King Henry V is known to have rode an early English dragonette into battle at Agincourt. Even Oliver Cromwell is documented as having used the riding dragon during his campaigns.

The modern riding dragonette that is today known as the British Spitfire was first documented in 1815 as the name of the mount of the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. The field marshal's fame led to the breeding of his personal dragonette into an seperate breed that became known as the Spitfire. The Spitfire became the most famous and popular riding dragonette breed during the nineteenth century, and in 1833 was adopted as the official breed of British Royal Dragon Guard, which was a small elite troop of British dragoniers, and is still to this day.The Spitfire is most famous for coming into its own during WWI. At the height of the war in 1914 there were over 1000 Spitfires on active duty, performing reconnaissance missions over enemy held territory. Sadly however the slow flying, unarmored dragons were easy prey to the new weapons and by the end of the war only a few dozen still remained having been completely eclipsed by airplanes. In WWII it is no coincidence that the most beloved and famous fighter aircraft was dubbed The Spitfire.

Today the Royal Dragon Guard still uses Spitfires as their mounts, and are kept at the Royal Mews, near Hyde park in London. These Spitfires are used for ceremonial purposes only, but the Spitfire is still a favorite among breeders and racers.











Spitfire Overhead View














Wild Spitfire Habitat



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©2010William O'Connor/William O'Connor Studios/Dracopedia:A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World/The Dracopedia Project. All rights reserved.

Dragon of the Month: North American Wyvern

North American Wyvern
Wyvernus morcaudus

Size: 30'
Wingspan: 30'
Recognition: Bipedal body, with long barbed tail and broad wings. Bright wingspots (male)
Habitat: Alpine mountain North America
Classification: Draco/Aerodraciforme/Wyvernidae
/Wyvernus/W. morcaudus




The most dangerous species of the Wyvern family of dragons, the North American wyvern has become synonymous with danger. First recorded in 1805 in what is now Yellowstone National Park by the Lewis and Clark expedition. The animal has quickly become both hated and admired for its ferocity. Making its natural habitat in the North American Rocky Mountains stretching from Utah up into Canada, the NA wyvern is the largest predator in its environment hunting bison, elk, and caribou as it is available. The NA wyvern may live in packs of up to a dozen individuals hunting in teams, bringing down several prey at a time. The male wyvern is the primary hunter bringing kill back to the lair for females and hatchlings to feed. In the fall rutting season, the male wyvern's unmistakable wing spots grow more vibrant and are used in complex displays to attract females.
Scientists believe that the North American wyvern is a direct cousin of the extinct European wyvern, much depicted in medieval and gothic paintings. It is argued by some dragon-biologists that with the rise of humans in Europe throughout the middle ages and into the Renaissance, that the much-hunted wyvern migrated to North America. Abundant and larger game in America aloud the wyverns of the Rockies to grow to almost double their European counterparts size, becoming the largest member of the wyvern family.
The North American wyvern was hunted extensively throughout the 19th century during the expansion of the frontier. In 1913 Glacier National Park in Montana was designated the first protected habitat of the North American Wyvern, followed afterward by Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Illegal poaching by ranchers, as well as the decimation of the bison population (their primary food source), brought the NA wyvern to the brink of extinction. In 1965 the World Wildlife Organization placed the wyvern on the endangered species list. In 1998 the population of the wyvern had grown back to such a point that today the animal is legally hunted in certain places. There are over 100 reported wyvern attacks every year by hunters, hikers and ranchers throughout the Rocky Mountain States. Despite the dangers the North American wyvern is one of the most powerful and beloved animals in America and every year millions of people flock to National parks hoping to catch a glimpse of this magnificent animal.

Historical Imagery of the Wyvern....
















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©2010William O'Connor/William O'Connor Studios/Dracopedia:A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World/The Dracopedia Project. All rights reserved.

Dragon of the Month: Firewing Amphiptere

Firewing Amphiptere
Amphipterus viperapennigus

Size: 5'
Wingspan: 5'
Recognition: Long snake body, bright red and orange markings on wings
Habitat: North Eastern United States.
Classification: Draco/Aerodraciforme/Amphipteridae
/Amphipterus/a. viperapennigus





The Firewing Amphiptere is one of the hundreds of amphipterae that are native to North America, and has long been a common sight in its native habitats of the woods in the Appalachian mountains of New England. This medium sized amphiptere hunts for mice and insects in the woods stretching from the Blue Ridge mountains in the south to the Berkshire mountains in the North.

Today, with much of their natural habitat threatened by development the firewing has adapted to its new surroundings. In urban centers like New York City it has made a new home hunting the rats and pigeons that populate the city's streets and parks. Nesting in high eaves of skyscapers and apartment buildings, the firewing is a much beloved addition to city life.
below: Historic images of the Amphiptere:






















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©2010William O'Connor/William O'Connor Studios/Dracopedia:A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World/The Dracopedia Project. All rights reserved.

Dragon of the Month: Storm Dragon

Storm Dragon (Chinese Dragon)
Nimibiaquidus tempestus

Size: 50'
Recognition: Long serpentine body with broad fur mane. Markings vary by region.
Habitat: Northern Asian highlands and mountains.
Classification: Draco/Terradraciforme/Nimibiaquidae
/Nimibiaquidus/n. tempestus
Also Known As: ChineseDragon, Thunder Dragon


The Storm Dragon is a creature that has been imbued with centuries of powerful legend, but is today one of the rarest of the dragon species. A large predatory flightless dragon in the family Nimibiaquidae, the Storm Dragon lives in the alpine regions of the Asian continent stretching from the north in Siberia to as far south as the Tibetan Plateau. Its thick pelts of fur insulate the dragon in the harsh arctic climates it favors and the twin antlers, (unique to the male only) are used in mating competitions between rivals. In the winter months the Storm Dragon will migrate south to find nesting lairs. The long whiskers, tongue and unique nose structure give the storm dragon the ability to travel and hunt in blinding weather conditions, attacking prey undetected. This habit of moving silently and invisibly through the clouds of fog and snow that blanket the Asian highlands have led to the Storm Dragon's name and fed the mythology of many of its supernatural abilities.

Hunting for large game such as elk, caribou, and yak, the Storm Dragon is a powerful animal that has become the very symbol of power itself in many Asian cultures. In China the Storm Dragon is synonymous with the emperor and graces many works of art. Come to represent good fortune and prosperity the Storm Dragon is loved and feared around the region.

In the small Himalayan country of Bhutan, the Storm Dragon is known as the Thunder Dragon and is emblazoned on their flag. Such mythological importance is placed on the dragon there that the ruler of Bhutan is referred to as The Dragon King, and its inhabitants called The People of the Thunder Dragon. The Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Bhutan is the largest nesting grounds of the Storm Dragon.

Today, with the industrialization of much of its habitat,
and the loss of many of its natural hunting and breeding grounds, the Storm Dragon is endangered. It is believed that there may be as few as 500 specimens living in the wild. Efforts by the Chinese government to breed the dragon in captivity have all failed. With effort, this beautiful, majestic and powerful creature will hopefully survive for centuries to come.


Below: Historical images of the Storm Dragon:






































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©2009William O'Connor/William O'Connor Studios/Dracopedia:A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World/The Dracopedia Project. All rights reserved.

Dragon of the Month: Sea Lion

Sea Lion
Cetusidus leodracus

Size: 15'
Recognition: Long serpentine body with fin appendages. Broad fin and mane. Markings vary by region.
Habitat: Northern Atlantic Oceans and waterways.
Classification: Draco/Orcadraciforme/Cetusidae
/Cetusidus/c. leodracus



The Sea Lion Dragon is a predatory sea orc that makes its habitat in the northern waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Hunting in packs of up to a dozen animals the Sea Lion has been a known creature to fishermen and sailors for centuries. Existing in the Cetusidae family the Sea Lion shares many of the habits of its cousins the Sea Tigers and Sea Leopards.
Mainly hunting on fish and small sea mammals the Sea lions spend most of the winter and early spring months as far south as the coast of Spain and The United States where the females will lay eggs and tend to the young. In the summer months the packs of Sea Lions will migrate north to Greenland, Norway and Alaska to follow the food supply. Today the populations of the Sea Lions have diminished as their native nesting shores have been developed, but many can still be seen in the summer months off the coast of Maine and Washington, where the Sea Lion tourism business is booming.
The historic knowledge of the Sea Lion has been fairly well documented. In the classical period the Sea Lion was discovered by sailors encountering the animals on their long voyages into Europe. It was believed that a lost sailor could follow the Sea Lions to a safe harbor. This almost mystical understanding of the Sea Lion (and all members of the Cetusidae family) in nautical navigation led to the naming of a constellation after the animals. The Cetus Constellation.

below: A variety of historic depictions of the Sea Lion.




































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©2009William O'Connor/William O'Connor Studios/Dracopedia:A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World/The Dracopedia Project. All rights reserved.

Dragon of the Month: Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky (Leafwing Feydragon)
Dracimexus pennafoliumus
Size:10"
Wingspan: 8"
Recognition: Earthtone markings, mottled brown.
Habitat:N.W. Europe/Forests
Also known as: Jabberwock
Classification:Draco/Aerodracoforme/
Dracimexidae/Dracimexus/d. Pennafoliumus


The Leafwing Fey Dragon is a rare dragon species that is contained within the family Dracimexidae, or Feydragon. This species was first recorded by a Roman historian Cassius Pompious in the 3rd C. ad during the Gaulish wars with the Germanic tribes, "A mysterious bird insect haunts the labyrinthine maze of dark forests, and seems to taunt our minds with its churlish chittering."
This famous call of the Jabberwocky is what gives it its name. (wok-wok-wok-wok-wok). This call is believed by some to be a mating call, or a communication that predators are nearby.
Over the centuries the Jabberwock has become a favorite subject of children's rhymes, fairy tales, and stories. Capturing a Jabberwock and keeping it as a pet was believed to be good luck by folk cultures in Germany, France and England. In fact it was believed that the young king Phillip of France kept a Jabberwocky in a menagerie.
It is this history that of course lead to the most famous depiction of the Leafwing Feydragon, in Lewis Carrol's "The Jabborwocky" and illustrated by Tenniel. below: You can imagine how frightening a jabbering creature in the dark woods could be to a small child.
Today the Jabberwocky is an endangered species throughout Europe, and its protection is taken very seriously. Sightings of them in the wild are extremely rare, but feydragon spotters are reporting having seen them in the deep forests of the Arden, and other ancient woods.













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©2009William O'Connor/William O'Connor Studios/Dracopedia:A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World/The Dracopedia Project. All rights reserved.