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Description

Viperopterus dicrista
Length: 19 feet
Height: 7 feet
Weight: 165 lbs
Wingspan: 30 feet
Range: Southern and southeastern North America; Abya Yalan archipelago; most of northern South America
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Defensive
Element: Venom

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With a 30 foot wingspan and weight of roughly 165 lbs, the Venom Devil is not the largest dragon, but is nonetheless a fearsome predator of the forests and jungles throughout southern and southeastern North America, the Abya Yalan archipelago, and most of northern South America. Its elongated body allows it to easily navigate through dense woodland that most other dragons its size would avoid, and can even attack prey hidden underground.

The Venom Devil possesses what is perhaps the most toxic venom of any dragon, comparable to that of the Australian inland taipan. A lethal blend of neuro- and cytotoxins, the venom is powerful enough to bring down animals as large as camels in a matter of minutes, and smaller animals such as rodents and small reptiles in much less time. It targets the nervous system, causing rapid muscle paralysis and cardiac arrest, while simultaneously destroying tissues resulting in massive necrosis and sepsis.

This venom is injected via 3 pairs of hollow fangs, each similar to those of snakes. The venom is synthesized in a pair of venom glands located just behind the eyes, which are modified parotid salivary glands, which are encased in a muscular sheath allowing precise control over venom delivery. Another pair of glands located just above the fangs - the supralabial glands - appear to secrete additional substances that are believed to act as a "tracer" of sorts, allowing the Venom Devil to track down fleeing prey via smell should it fail to deliver an immediately lethal dose. When threatened however, the dragon is quite reluctant to bite, and will instead spit stomach acid at the aggressor as a deterrent; should this fail to dissuade a predator however, it will strike.

Sexual dimorphism is minimal but noticeable, with males having large, bright crests and females having smaller, less contrasting crests. Males have larger territories than females, sometimes spanning multiple islands, and mate with multiple females. Females too are known to mate with several males, especially when their own territories lie on the territorial borders of more than one male. During the breeding season that coincides with the wet season, male dragons engage in spectacular, vicious battles over the canopies of their jungle habitats, lashing their tails and striking with their wing and foot claws.

Description

Viperopterus dicrista
Length: 19 feet
Height: 7 feet
Weight: 165 lbs
Wingspan: 30 feet
Range: Southern and southeastern North America; Abya Yalan archipelago; most of northern South America
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Defensive
Element: Venom

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With a 30 foot wingspan and weight of roughly 165 lbs, the Venom Devil is not the largest dragon, but is nonetheless a fearsome predator of the forests and jungles throughout southern and southeastern North America, the Abya Yalan archipelago, and most of northern South America. Its elongated body allows it to easily navigate through dense woodland that most other dragons its size would avoid, and can even attack prey hidden underground.

The Venom Devil possesses what is perhaps the most toxic venom of any dragon, comparable to that of the Australian inland taipan. A lethal blend of neuro- and cytotoxins, the venom is powerful enough to bring down animals as large as camels in a matter of minutes, and smaller animals such as rodents and small reptiles in much less time. It targets the nervous system, causing rapid muscle paralysis and cardiac arrest, while simultaneously destroying tissues resulting in massive necrosis and sepsis.

This venom is injected via 3 pairs of hollow fangs, each similar to those of snakes. The venom is synthesized in a pair of venom glands located just behind the eyes, which are modified parotid salivary glands, which are encased in a muscular sheath allowing precise control over venom delivery. Another pair of glands located just above the fangs - the supralabial glands - appear to secrete additional substances that are believed to act as a "tracer" of sorts, allowing the Venom Devil to track down fleeing prey via smell should it fail to deliver an immediately lethal dose. When threatened however, the dragon is quite reluctant to bite, and will instead spit stomach acid at the aggressor as a deterrent; should this fail to dissuade a predator however, it will strike.

Sexual dimorphism is minimal but noticeable, with males having large, bright crests and females having smaller, less contrasting crests. Males have larger territories than females, sometimes spanning multiple islands, and mate with multiple females. Females too are known to mate with several males, especially when their own territories lie on the territorial borders of more than one male. During the breeding season that coincides with the wet season, male dragons engage in spectacular, vicious battles over the canopies of their jungle habitats, lashing their tails and striking with their wing and foot claws.