Animal group?

Ranna · Posted: Mon 23 Nov 2009 9:36 Post subject: Animal group?

People generally would place dragons in the reptile group on account of the appearance and the egg-laying (others may differ, but I've not heard of live-bearing dragons yet). However, most of us could fly, surely that requires us to be warm blooded like birds and bats?

Just want to hear your thoughts on this, maybe we are a different group altogether?

Daragon · Posted: Mon 23 Nov 2009 10:25 Post subject:

Considering I've not yet decided on whether I am Otherkin or not, I will not speak of myself as a dragon.

I am a dragon researcher myself. Let me look through my journal... Ahha! Considering they have scales, they are reptilian, yet fly. There are opinions as of like genetically altered reptiles/dinosaurs.

I put them in a sub-category under birds and reptiles known as dragons. Wink

So, they are their own sub-species.

BUT, if they don't/didn't exist on earth then, yes, they are their own species altogether.

I think this is more a debate than dragon facts...
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Namhias · Shining Dragonstar Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 1055

I'm not a biologist myself, but if I'd have to hazard a guess, I'd say that dragons have their own class, or maybe even phylum. Of course, there is a great variety of dragons, so I can't really say.

The classical view of dragons doesn't represent the whole group, I've met dragons who have fur, scales, or hide. Are warm or cold blooded, having live young or eggs. Dragons are very diverse.

Ragnarok · Posted: Mon 23 Nov 2009 20:28 Post subject:

Seeing as how the traditional dragon has six limbs, unlike virtually every other animal on the planet, it would most likely have its own classification.

Subphylum vertebrata (i.e. a vertebrate), but definitely its own class.
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Jasriella · Posted: Tue 24 Nov 2009 4:59 Post subject:

There is a trilogy where the dragons do give live birth, can't think of the title for some reason though.......

Ah, I got it. It's a trillogy written by Elizabeth Kerner, starting with Song In the Silence, The Lesser Kindred, and Redeeming the Lost. Very good books too and highly suggested.

Anyway, as far as I can tell I was neither warm nor cold blooded. I loved the heat of the desert, or heat in general, but I was comfortable in freezing cold as well.
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Ranna · Posted: Tue 24 Nov 2009 5:49 Post subject:

Ah yes, I am of the 4 limbed variety, so yes, considering the diversity we are probably a separate group.

Thanks all!
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Daragon · Posted: Tue 24 Nov 2009 7:44 Post subject:

Shiari · Moderator Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

Pterosaurs were classed as reptiles and flew. Flight itself doesn't lead to a new classification, hence why bats are mammals.
Birds could still technically be placed under the reptile category, what with having scales and laying eggs and all.

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