![]() ![]() The first digit (equivalent to the human thumb) was not functionally part of the wing, but retained a grasping claw. The wings consisted of a leathery surface supported by the bones of four greatly extended digits. A short body is essential for flight, where a long, flexible vertebral column is a disadvantage. The mountain dragon's body was relatively short compared with that of the aquatic dragon. They also served to make the animal seem even more intimidating, and so had a deterrent role in social conflicts, as well as providing weapons when combat ensued. The head was armed with sharp spikes or horns, which would provide protection against attack (mainly by other dragons, as no other predators were likely to challenge a dragon). A sideswipe from a dragon's tail could sever a man's arm. The tail was approximately as long as the body, with a razor-sharp arrowhead-shaped structure that could be used as a defensive weapon. The mountain dragon's body was relatively short compared with that of the marine dragon however, a shorter body is essential for flight, where a long flexible vertebral column is a disadvantage. ![]() Like all post-Cretaceous dragons, mountain dragons had six limbs: a pair of wings in addition to two pairs of legs, the result of an advantageous developmental mutation that occurred after the extinction of the two-legged, two-winged prehistoric dragon, six-limbed dragons being an early branch whilst all could spit fire dragons being descended from para-crocodilian reptiles much earlier of course. The name is, however, slightly inappropriate since the species was much more widespread in lowland forests and was not restricted to mountains before the pressures of agriculture and a burgeoning human population restricted its habitat. ![]() The mountain dragon is so called because in medieval times, it was restricted largely to mountains and other remote habitats. ![]()
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