COMC-701 Lessons

Look Through the Smaug

Hello and welcome! I hope everyone enjoyed learning about the dangerous serpents we covered last week. I am so excited for today because today’s subject is very long-awaited, for us and you. I clearly remember so many of you as young Second Years writing your first essays, most eager to learn about dragons, and here we finally are. Without further ado, let’s get right to the lesson!

Dragons: The Fire-Breathers

Physical Description

Dragons are fierce reptilians with impressive wings. These animals are classified as beasts, complete with the horns, claws, and tails you may associate with that classification. Most of them are fire-breathing creatures. Their M.O.M. rating is XXXXX, which should be obvious to you by now. Dragons are some of the most dangerous creatures and they cannot be domesticated or trained to safely coexist with humans. Therefore, only the most highly trained professionals, known as dragonologists, are permitted to work with them. Dragons are also easily one of the most recognizable magical creatures. Because of this, they are also incredibly hard to keep hidden from Muggles. Muggles all over the world speculate about their existence, though they’re disregarded as mythical by most. This disbelief helps the dragon breeds found all over the world. I’ll be discussing a few of what I personally think are the most unique breeds today, but remember you can always consult your textbook Diverse Dragonology for more information. 

As I mentioned earlier, dragons are very diverse. They come in all different shapes and sizes which vary by breed. They can be anywhere from 15 to 60 feet long, and weigh anywhere from one to six tons. The Peruvian Vipertooth is known to be the smallest of all breeds, while the Ukrainian Ironbelly is the largest. In return, the Vipertooth is also the fastest, while the Ironbelly is the slowest. Unfortunately, it’s hard to fly fast when you weigh as much as an elephant!

The first breed I’d like to discuss is the Antipodean Opaleye, the breed I consider to be the most beautiful. This dragon is native to New Zealand but has been known to live in Australia as well. The Opaleye have shimmering, pearly scales and their eyes have no pupils but are multicolored, hence the name “Opaleye.” They produce a bright scarlet red flame, which creates a nice contrast with their color. 

Next up on my list of favorites, we have the Chinese Fireball, which is sometimes known as the Liondragon. It gets its name from its native land of China, no surprise there, and the mushroom shaped flames it produces from its nostrils when provoked. This shape is unique and not seen in any other breed, which helps one quickly identify them. 

Third we have the magnificent Hebridean Black, which resides in the Hebrides of Scotland. Much like its surroundings, its scales are black and very rough like rocks. It has lovely purple eyes, and a line of extremely sharp ridges going down its back. The tail of the Hebridean is a spike shaped like an arrow on the tip, and its wings look like that of a bat. When I was studying dragons, I often repeated, “the Hebridean Black has wings like a bat” to help me remember. This was years ago and it’s still etched into my brain!

I’m also giving a quick mention to the Swedish Short Snout because it’s so different from the others. It’s an icy blue color, rather than the neutral colors of most dragons, and it is unfortunately hunted for its beautiful hide. It produces a lovely blue flame that is so hot that it can turn bones to ash in just seconds. 

On top of all of these amazing diversities, dragons also show differences within their own breed. Colors can vary in shade, length of tails can vary, and most breeds are sexually dimorphic. Females are larger than their male counterparts by about five feet on average. They are also known to be more aggressive than the males.

History in the Wizarding World

On top of being some of the most extraordinary creatures we have discussed to date, dragons are some of the oldest magical creatures we know of. In fact, Muggle records show evidence of dragons dating all the way back to 4000 B.C.E.

Along with such a remarkable history unfortunately comes an issue that still remains to this day. You have no doubt heard of dragon pox. But were you aware that this disease has been around since the 1100s? For those of you that are unfamiliar with dragon pox, it is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal. It causes your skin to become a sickly green, and sometimes a green and purple rash will develop between your toes. Some individuals will even emit sparks from their noses when they sneeze! It sounds amusing, but you’d quickly change your mind if it started happening to you.

The very first reported cases of dragon pox came from wizards in the 1100s that worked in close proximity with dragons, especially Peruvian Vipertooths. However, the first case that caused a fatality was in 1379 to a wizard known as Chauncey Oldridge. At this time, no connection was made between Oldridge’s death and his proximity to dragons. It wasn’t until the late 1400s that the connection was made that the pustules present on dragons could cause the same disease on humans! Cecil Kettleburn was working with Welsh Greens, trying to regain control over a population that was seemingly reproducing at an alarming rate, and noticed some of the dragons had green pustules. In prodding and probing them, he ended up contracting the same disease. After this discovery, work began on a cure, as apparently people weren’t pleased with having green skin. 

In either the sixteenth or seventeenth century (the records are unclear) a witch by the name of Gunhilda de Gorsemoor finally discovered a cure for this disease. She designed an elaborately-made paste that could be spread on the sores, but only if it was caught in time. This remedy is still used today, as we can still contract dragon pox. There’s a distinct possibility that dragon pox will never be truly eradicated, simply because there will always be human contact with dragons. 

The history of dragons isn’t all tragedy and illness, however. The most notable moments for these beasts happened in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In the year 1709, the Warlocks’ Convention outlawed the breeding of dragons. Unfortunately, people still break this law, but wizards caught breeding dragons illegally go straight to Azkaban. In 1811, a momentous occasion in history occurred after Grogan Stump developed the definition for beast. The Ministry of Magic founded the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau as the first office under the Beast Division after the definition was given. Before the development of this office, the office that handled dragons was called the Dragon Research Office.

Behavior and Development

All dragons have the tendency to be aggressive creatures, but some breeds tend to be more aggressive than others. Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because one breed may shy away from humans, that means that it is safe to approach any dragon you come across. Never underestimate dragons. 

While we are on the subject of aggression, it is important to note the differences and similarities in each breed. For example, the Norwegian Ridgeback is aggressive to other Ridgebacks, while the Chinese Fireball is more aggressive to dragons of other breeds. In fact, Fireballs can sometimes live with up to two others. On the other hand, the Hebridean Black is even more territorial than the Norwegian Ridgeback. So much so that it needs to have at least one hundred square miles of its own territory. The Hungarian Horntail deserves a special kind of recognition, as it is known to be the most dangerous and aggressive out of all the other breeds. 

On the other side of the Sickle, the Antipodean Opaleye was regarded as one of the least aggressive breeds; they were generally only threatening when hungry. The Common Welsh Green is similar to the Opaleye in the way that it prefers to shy away from humans, however it is easier to provoke. 

Despite these differences, most dragons are carnivorous and prey on mammals. The smaller dragon breeds go for smaller mammals, while the larger breeds obviously hunt larger prey. There are exceptions, however.  For example, the Norwegian Ridgeback has been known to eat water-dwelling creatures of the non-mammalian variety. Like I said earlier, there is more in-depth information about this in your Diverse Dragonology textbook.

What we know about development in dragons is very interesting, and it’s still different from breed to breed. All eggs look like they are covered in scales but are different colors. We won’t get too deep into every little detail, however, there are some tidbits of information that I think are noteworthy. 

For starters, dragons don’t keep their eggs in nests, and they don’t sit on them to keep them warm. Could you imagine such a thing? No, dragons breathe fire on their eggs to keep them warm. There is a single exception to this. The Canadian Coldrake does not breathe fire. How does this dragon keep its eggs warm? The answer to that question is simple: it doesn’t! Coldrake eggs need to be kept cold in order to hatch into healthy babies. 

Hatchlings are fed dragon milk, but it’s not how you’d imagine a mammal feeding its young. It’s actually rather similar to the way that birds feed their offspring, using a crop. A crop is an organ found in the digestive system of some animals, and it is used to store food for a short amount of time. The only major difference is that dragons don’t have gizzards. They wouldn’t serve a purpose, since dragons have teeth. So a dragon’s crop is able to store food for a while, since they don’t eat often. When the offspring hatch, the crop, which has been storing food this whole time, is now able to produce milk. However, this milk is not like the milk that you and I drink. It’s a chunky, solid substance. They then cough up this substance and feed it to their young for three days. After this, the hatchlings begin to eat raw meat and blood. 

This is when all the fun development begins. Baby dragons then begin to breathe fire at around six months (with the exception of the Norwegian Ridgeback, which begins between one and three months), they learn to fly at about 12 months, and then once they are about two years old, they can live on their own.

Contributions to the Wizarding World

Dragons have contributed much to the wizarding world. In particular, the dragons’ bodies themselves have many different uses. Dragonhide is a very popular material to use for jackets because of its strength and its ability to deflect spells. For similar reasons, it is also used to make gloves, boots, briefcases, and nearly anything people would want to have an extra layer of protection. Dragon heartstrings are used as a wand core, and considered an exceptionally powerful one. On occasion, dragon teeth are used for jewelry, but this isn’t a common practice. Dragon milk can also be used to make cheese, though it is considered an acquired taste and many people aren’t fond of it. Personally, I’m not a fan, but I can understand the appeal.

As you should be well aware, dragon liver and claws have uses in potions and in boosting memory, respectively. I know Professor Draekon has covered this in-depth already, so I will not linger on this topic. However, powdered dragon horn is also used in potions. The most common horn used is from the Romanian Longhorn, which has caused their horns to be listed as Class B-Tradeable Material in order to protect the breed and regulate its use.

Dragons give us many things in the wizarding world, not just from their body, but from what they produce as well. Dragon dung is used as a plant fertilizer, dragon meat is sold in high-end restaurants, and dragon milk can be used to make artisanal cheese. In the past, dragon eggs were also a valuable commodity, though dragon eggs are now considered a Class A Non-Tradeable Material, as part of the ban on dragon breeding. They can still be found on black markets around the world because wizards have found a variety of uses for their products. For example, some types of eggs, like those from the Chinese Fireball, are used in Chinese potions.

Dragons are also used as a form of security. In Gringotts, they are used to guard vaults of certain individuals in order to protect the riches and items within. The Ministry will use them to guard other locations, like schools, in times of need. Dragons are not used for personal or home security, as you aren’t allowed to keep dragons and a large dragon guarding a small house can be an issue for a variety of reasons. 

Twelve Uses of Dragon Blood

You may have noticed I neglected to cover one of the most well-known contributions from dragons: their blood. The twelve uses of dragon blood are credited as being discovered by Albus Dumbledore, but this has been contested by Ivor Dillonsby, who claims that he discovered the first eight, at which point Dumbledore stole his notes. There is no evidence to back this assertion up, but it was published by famed poison-pen journalist Rita Skeeter in her book The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. This book was published one month after his death in 1997, leading many people to believe this book had been written well in advance and added to over the years, meaning there is no information as to when Dillonsby was interviewed, making it even more difficult to investigate his claims.

We will briefly go through all twelve uses with you in alphabetical order. Some of the uses may seem rather odd, some may even seem vile, but when a creature has been around for as many centuries as dragons have, people get creative with their resources. It is important to note that while I am telling you all of the uses, some of which you may know already, I strongly advise you not to attempt to buy dragon blood to try out all twelve uses. It is rather expensive and can only be bought at specialty stores and apothecaries. 

1. Anaesthetic and Pain Killer - Once used to numb patients and ease pain, dragon blood is still used for this purpose in dire situations and isolated colonies. St. Mungo’s and other hospitals have since transitioned to potions and spellwork, but in some situations, where typical methods are not easing someone’s pain, such as they spilled an incredibly potent venom on themselves, dragon blood might be offered in small doses. 
2. Black Pudding/Dragon Blood Sausage - For those unfamiliar with the term, blood sausage refers to using blood that has been cooked or dried that is mixed with a filler and placed into a sausage casing. While this type is not served at Hogwarts, it is considered a delicacy throughout eastern Europe and Asia. Oftentimes individuals who stumble upon deceased dragons will collect and save the blood, not only for its other uses, but to make sausages for special occasions and holidays. 
3. Coagulant - A coagulant is a substance that causes blood to coagulate, or solidify. It is great for closing minor wounds. As an alternative to straight blood, many people choose to hold a piece of raw dragon meat over the wound rather than apply the liquid. This is not advised for deeper lacerations, and should you have a wound that does not stop bleeding, it is best to visit the nearest hospital right away. 
4. Disinfectant - A third medicinal purpose, the blood is also a great disinfectant. It can be used on wounds, countertops, and even food. While the majority of professionals recommend not using it on food, it is sometimes done by people trying to utilize every available resource. For disinfectant purposes, a little dragon blood goes a long way. 
5. Divination - Dragon blood is also used in some divinatory practices, which includes some voodoo rituals, smudging, and even tarot card reading. While this seems like an odd recognized use, it is known to strengthen the overall connection to a Seer’s Inner Eye. 
6. Human Blood Mimic - For the unfamiliar, dragon blood looks, and even tastes, like human blood. Though, those who have studied dragon blood extensively can taste the difference. Individuals will use dragon blood to make it seem like they’ve been attacked, or that attacks have happened in particular areas. It may also be used in theatrical productions or films. 
7. Makeup and Perfume - Dragon blood is used in cosmetic products, like makeup and perfume, because individuals like the smell of the blood and it is thought to have moisturizing properties when mixed with other materials. It is said that using a moisturizer or liquid foundation that contains dragon blood helps with oily complexions while illuminating the skin. Personally, I have never tried it, but several friends of mine swear by it. These products tend to be very expensive and are only sold in high-end beauty shops in Diagon Alley. 
8. Oven Cleaner - This purpose works along the same lines as using it in moisturizers. As an oven cleaner, it cuts through and eliminates grease very easily, even bubbled over cheese that I didn’t realize was stuck to the bottom of my oven. It can also be used on stovetops. Typically it is diluted when used as an oven cleaner, and can be purchased in various shops. Simply check the label to see if dragon blood is an ingredient!
9. Pigment - Dragon blood is a very rich red color, and has been used for pigment in paints, clothes, dyes, and inks. However, only one or two drops are needed to provide color. When used in paint, it creates one of the deepest, most well-bodied reds I have ever seen, and I actually have a painting in my home of fall foliage simply because they used dragon blood pigment. 
10. Spot Remover - Dragon blood is also great for lifting stains from clothes, likely because of how great it is at cleaning and cutting through grease and oils. Like its use in oven cleaners, it is commonly diluted and sold in various stores. 
11. Varnish - Dragon blood is also used as a protective coat on wood floors, furniture, and instruments when combined with furniture polishes. Like other uses, it is diluted down for this practice. It tends to add a rosy hue to whatever wood it is applied to, which many use as a subtle addition of color to a room. Instruments varnished with dragon blood are some of the most expensive to purchase. 
12. Verruca Cure - If you have a wart on the bottom of your foot, simply put a drop of dragon blood on it and it will disappear within the next twelve hours, and never come back. While it doesn’t work well with other kinds of warts, it is the most effective cure for plantar warts. 

While these are the twelve accepted uses of dragon blood, some people have used it for more nefarious purposes over the years. In fact, it was once thought that it was one of the best additives to poisons of all time. This use is not recommended by the Ministry of Magic, and most individuals looking for poison have selected other types, but cases are seen every now and then. Symptoms of using their blood as poison include a high fever, intense vomiting, and a general reddish hue to the skin.

Dragon Diseases

Scale Rot

We previously discussed scale rot during Year Four, when we discussed salamanders. There are only a few differences between the presentation of the disease in salamanders and dragons. All of the same symptoms are seen, but tail detachment does not occur in dragons. In dragons, it typically starts on the belly, whereas in salamanders it can be seen all over. Rather than use chili powder to treat scale rot, with dragons we use an ointment made of chicken blood to rehydrate the scales. The ointment is simply chicken blood and petroleum jelly that is spread all over the affected areas three times a day until symptoms clear. 

Egg Binding 

Egg binding is when the female has trouble passing an egg. While uncommon in dragons, it is still possible and can be fatal if the egg can’t be passed for a significant period of time. This tends to happen when the shell of the egg is not firm enough, causing it to warp and become misshapen when passing, at which point it gets stuck. It may not be apparent at first that that is what’s happening, but watching for a female dragon dragging her back legs or seeming weak overall, provides individuals with strong indicators that she has an egg that won’t pass. You may also notice that the eggs she does pass seem oddly shaped. While there are no real preventative measures, the best thing to do is to ensure that the dragon is getting an adequate source of calcium carbonate, which is the main mineral in eggshells. This can be done through supplemental minerals included in their feed, but they typically get enough from the meat they consume. Should the state of the egg binding be incredibly advanced, surgery can take place as a final effort to save the dragon.

Amebiasis

Amebiasis is a disease caused by a protozoan, or a single-celled organism. Specifically, the protozoa that cause it is Entamoeba invadens, which are carried on different animals and in water. Dragons commonly pick it up from eating mammals that have bathed in infected waters. It is more common in wild dragons than those in sanctuaries because their food is washed before being given to them. If not caught in time, it can be fatal. Symptoms of amebiasis include vomiting, bloody stools, lethargy, lack of appetite but extreme thirst, and weight loss. It is important to watch dragons carefully, because a disease like this can cause issues very quickly. Treatment includes feeding them an antibiotic potion that is made from several different plants. 

Sanctuaries and Reserves

To end the lesson, we are going to discuss three of the several different sanctuaries and reserves that exist to protect and study these magical beasts. These are some of the most well-known, but there are dozens of smaller ones around the world that serve the same purpose.

Romanian Dragon Sanctuary

The most well-known, and largest, in the world, the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary was founded in 1933 by Harvey Ridgebit. Ridgebit was a dragonologist known for being the first person to successfully catch a Peruvian Vipertooth. He dedicated his life to dragons, hoping to develop a world where dragons would be safe from poachers. In creating the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary, Ridgebit wanted a safe place not only for dragons to live, but for wizards to study them without putting the dragons (or the Statute of Secrecy) in danger. After his death in 1973, there was discussion to rename the sanctuary the Ridgebit Dragon Sanctuary, but the community agreed that he wouldn’t have wanted his name attributed to the sanctuary because he created it for the dragons, not to gain fame. Today, many traveling researchers visit the sanctuary, while others work there in a more permanent fashion, aiding in the care and study of the dragons.

Swedish Dragon Reserve

The Swedish Dragon Reserve was located between Arjeplog and Kopparberg, Sweden. This reserve mostly kept Swedish Short-Snouts, but some Peruvian Vipertooths were placed there in attempts to grow the breed’s numbers. Ultimately, this reserve merged with the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary in the 1950s, feeling they didn’t have the resources to adequately care for the dragons. After the dragons were moved to Romania, the area in Sweden was charmed to ensure no evidence of dragons still remained, should Muggles come across it.

MacFusty Dragon Sanctuary

Called the MacFusty Dragon Sanctuary by the media, this sanctuary is simply the MacFusty clan (a family native to the area for centuries) taking care of the Hebridean Blacks that live in their home, the Hebrides Islands. This is a job the family has passed down for generations, ensuring that these dragons stay on the island and don’t fly to the mainland. They are offered compensation by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, but have only accepted when storms destroy their docks, buildings or other infrastructure. The family also keeps records about the breed and submits those to the department every year. 

Chinese Dragon Sanctuary

The Chinese Dragon Sanctuary was established in 2012 as a research center for the Chinese Fireball. Though meant to protect the breed, since its establishment the Chinese sanctuary has produced quite a bit of research on their native dragons. This information has been shared with the DRCMC, but has not been released to the public. While I know bits and pieces, unfortunately, I cannot share it with you today. 

Closing

I think that ends today’s lesson! I completely understand if that seemed like a lot of information to take in. Dragons are complex creatures, and each breed adds a bit more complexity to the table. If you haven’t already, be sure to take a look through Diverse Dragonology to learn more about each individual breed of dragon in preparation for your assignment today. Don’t forget, you also have your midterm, so be sure to brush up on some of the creatures we’ve covered already this year. See you next class!

Lesson content written by Professor Elizabeth Anne and former professor Aurelia Cattercorn

All pictures are found using the Google Images search engine, and belong to their owners. Dragonhide gloves image created by Sammy Morse and used with permission.