Drake Subspecies

The Domestic Drake (Draco familiaris) is perhaps the most striking example of how the continent of Dragonus differs from the world below it. Due to the unique environment the continent's aerial nature has created, the Drake has replaced almost all small mammals and birds in the role of domestic pet, working animal and even companion. There are many different subspecies of Drake, and each subspecies has its own collection of breeds, making documenting the evolutionary history of the species a logistical nightmare to all but the most senior paleontologists. For the benefit of brevity, only the most major and noteworthy subspecies of Domestic Drake are recorded here.

Greater Drake (Draco familiaris maximus)
Greater Drakes are to the people of Dragonus what the dog is to most other cultures. Prized as the ultimate companion, the subspecies has long been in the service of man as not only a pet, but also a working companion and status figure. Like dogs, Greater Drakes come in a variety of breeds, each with their own physical characteristics, temperaments and special care needs. The Drake Breeder's Society serves to maintain and uphold the purity of each breed, and hold yearly shows in a similar manner to the dog show Crufts on Earth.

SIZE AND GENERAL BODY SHAPE: Size varies by breed, raging anyway from 6 inches in length for the smaller or “toy” varieties to around 42 inches at the shoulder for larger breeds. Body shape is generally reminiscent of a miniature European, with four legs and vestigial wings. Whilst some of the toy breeds use their wings for display, larger breeds have literally no use for them.
COLOURATION: Greater Drakes have been bred in a rainbow of colours, and there are always options for the discerning owner. Various forms of green, red and brown are common, but many breeders often focus on the exotic colour mutations, such as albino or golden strains. Some breeds come in unusual patterns that are extremely rare.
DIET: All greater Drakes are carnivores, feeding exclusively on meat. This can be purchased in various forms, such as compressed pellets or kibbles, choice cuts for treats or marrow-filled bones. “Feral” Drakes feed depending on their size, with larger breeds seeking larger prey, and will also scavenge from dustbins.
CALL: A range of calls has been documented – smaller breeds screech, yap, hiss and chirp, whilst the larger breeds bark, roar, purr and snarl. Only the “prusten” snort through the nose, to indicate harmless intentions, is universal among Drakes.
FORMS OF ATTACK: Angered Greater Drakes utilise their teeth and claws against enemies in both defense and territorial battles. Greater Drakes, thankfully, cannot breathe fire, and no breed is venomous - the trait was bred out of their line many years ago.
HABITAT: Greater Drakes thrive in the home environment no matter the breed, but many breeds are capable of living in hardier conditions if they are required as working animals. Many pets that escape or are abandoned are known to become feral, forming packs or social groups, and the smaller breeds occasionally form flocks or gangs that nest in trees or in burrows.
LAIR: Greater Drakes usually build small nests to raise their eggs and chicks from whatever materials they may find. Drake owners are often advised to provide downy feathers, cushions or shredded newspaper for this purpose. Like kittens and puppies, Drake chicks spend a long duration with their mother until they are capable of fending for themselves.

Lesser Drake (Draco familiaris minimus)
Whilst many have compared the Lesser Drake to Earth's species of cats, this does not apply to all breeds, who often exhibit characteristics closer to foxes. The Lesser Drake does not come in the same variety of breeds as the Greater Drake does, for it has been valued more as a pet than as a working animal. As a result, it is said to be more independent than the Greater Drake, and not as high-maintenance or fussy. The Drake Breeder's Society does not hold trials for Lesser Drakes, but shows to judge individuals based on breed standards are still very popular.

SIZE AND GENERAL BODY SHAPE: Unlike the Greater Drake, body sizes for the Lesser Drake are nowhere near as varied -  they tend to average about 9–10 inches in height and 18.1 inches in head/body length (males being larger than females), with tails averaging 11.8 inches in length. They generally resembles smaller, slimmer versions of the Greater Drake.
COLOURATION: Lesser Drakes have been bred in a smaller variety of colours than Greater Drakes, but this comes with the benefit of a greater variety of patterns, from spotted to striped.
DIET: Like the Greater Drake, the Lesser Drake is an exclusive carnivore that feeds on meat. Be careful when introducing vegetable supplements in your pet's diet, as this can easily cause an upset stomach.
CALL: Similar to the smaller breeds of Greater Drake, the Lesser Drakes are known screech, yap, hiss and chirp, whilst also using bodily posture and tails to record. Again, the “prusten” snort through the nose, to indicate harmless intentions, is universal among Drakes.
FORMS OF ATTACK: See Greater Drake
HABITAT: Lesser Drakes can be found in the home of any discerning owner, no matter the breed. As with Greater Drakes, those who escape their masters can become feral, although they tend to hunt alone instead of in packs.
LAIR: The same rules for helping Greater Drakes give birth also apply to Lesser Drakes. After giving birth, Lesser Drakes become temperamental and protective - do not touch or approach the chicks until they are fully weaned. Many a careless owner has become sorely bitten by a mother or father Drake defending their kittens from a perceived attack.

Pygmy Drake (Draco familiaris pumilio)
The Pygmy Drake has recently become a popular alternative for those who live in flats and other enclosed, indoor places that do not allow other Drake breeds. The Dragonus equivalent of budgerigars and cockatiel's, they are noted not only for their bright colours and patterns but also their intelligence that allows them to engage in imaginative forms of play, parrot the speech of their owners and solve simple problems. Many of the larger breeds are sold under the brand name of "Pygmy Wyverns" - a misnomer, since Wyverns lack the grasping forefeet of Drakes.

SIZE AND GENERAL BODY SHAPE: The size of the Pigmy Drake tends to average around 7 inches long for smaller breeds, with larger and more exotic breeds around 12 to 14 inches long. Although Pygmies follow the basic Drake body plan, they exhibit much smaller forearms to accommodate enlarged wings and flight muscles.
COLOURATION: Pygmy Drakes have been bread and a vast variety of colour and pattern mutations. Such is the variety that many breeding societies have been set up to preserve or maintain some of the rarer morphs - accidental cross-breeding can destroy a family tree in one swoop. The majority of these colour morphs, however, are captivity-exclusive - in the wild, they tend to be a uniform grey or brown, with only slight variations in wing hue or body pattern.
DIET: Unusually, Pygmy Drakes are omnivores, and will readily consume fruits, seeds and nuts as well as meat. A varied diet is key to ensuring a healthy and happy pet - too much meat or vegetable matter can cause upset stomachs and other various medical complications.
CALL: As well as the "prusten" snort, Pygmy Drakes generally chirp or trill in a similar manner to birds. Females compose twittering songs to impress males, with each breed and individual having their own unique tunes. When angered or frightened, a Pygmy Drake emits a high-pitched screech. In a polar opposite to Earth parrots, it is the female Pygmy that has the best reputation for learning human speech, able to store thousands of words in memory.
FORMS OF ATTACK: An annoyed or defensive Pygmy Drake attacks by swooping upon an enemy and inflicting gashes with teeth or claws. Some breeds carry a mild hemotoxic venom used to subdue prey on the wing - although not dangerous to humans, the resulting inflammation (along with paralysis in some breeds) can be quite painful.
HABITAT: Pygmy Drakes of all colours inhabit the home environment. Wild Pygmies tend to congregate in flocks of up to three hundred members strong, or smaller social groups in the case of larger subspecies.
LAIR: A nest made of scavenged materials - Pygmies are not fussy and will use anything warm and dry. Unlike other Drake breeds, Pygmies lay clutches of up to three or five eggs, but exhibit the same parental care as larger breeds would.