A Field Guide to Dragons of Hypatia
By Vivian Rosalee
Blood Moon Dragons
Blood Moon dragons are unique in that they have three biological parents. This special makes them very rare compared to most other discovered dragons.
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These dragons are relatively large, but are usually easily overlooked due to their rather uninteresting colors- normally white and shades of gray. However, during breeding season, they transform into a spectacular sight- all different hues of reds, yellows, and oranges. They become much more self centered during this time, seeming to fall in love with the beauty of their scales (and who can blame them?)
Elements
(hybrid- tertiary)
water
air
earth
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Average Weight
400 pounds
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Average Length
12 feet
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Average Wingspan
30 feet
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Average Height (at shoulder)
3 feet
Appearance
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Blood Moon dragons would be hard to identify out of breeding season if it weren't for their wings and head shape. 80% of the time, they are a dull white and gray mix. However, all blood moon dragons have half feathered wings. This alone isn't enough to identify a blood moon dragon- they also have very large cheeks, used to store extra water or food when needed.
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The Egg
Blood moon dragon eggs are perfectly symmetrical, like regular moon dragon eggs. They have pits, mimicking the craters on a real moon. The coloring is like that of a blood moon dragon during breeding season- yellow, red, and orange. They will glow softly if there is a light source.
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Hatchlings and Adulthood
Upon hatching, all blood moon dragons are white and gray, regardless of their sex. It takes them about three years to mature and for their first breeding season to begin, where they will gain the twice annual breeding colors for the first time.​
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Determining the Sex
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Male and female blood moon dragons can only be differentiated during breeding season, when they molt their white feathers and shed their gray scales, and grow red and orange ones. The leathery part of the wing is where you can see the biggest difference.​
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Males
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Breeding colors range from yellow orange to light scarlet.
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Females
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Breeding colors range from a brilliant orange to a deep burgundy.
Blood moon dragon when hatched.
Male and female wing comparison during breeding season.
Genetics
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There are three ways a blood moon dragon egg can be laid and hatched.
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Two blood moon dragons mate and lay blood moon eggs.​
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A female moon dragon mates with a planet dragon. Before she lays her eggs, she consumes the spores of a sun dragon, causing her next eggs to be laid as blood moon eggs.
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A female planet dragon mates with a moon dragon. Before she lays her eggs, she consumes the spores of a sun dragon, causing her next eggs to be laid as blood moon eggs.
Reproduction
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Breeding
Blood moon dragons have roughly two breeding seasons per year. This season is marked by a colorful transformation- formerly white and gray dragons become red and orange. They also become more aggressive and hormonal. This color change may even serve as a signal to be cautious around them, in addition to helping to attract a mate.
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They don't mate for life, but a male will often return to the same female each season, since he knows where she is, and they are used to each other, so there is less chance of a conflict.
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The Nest
The female begins building her nesting area when she enters her breeding season. She starts by creating a tower out of rocks, sand, or whatever she has available. This takes her only a few days- by the end she is already in her full breeding colors. She then proceeds to lounge atop her tower, becoming a beacon for any nearby males to see. Her scales reflect the sunlight so she can be seen for miles. Once a male finds her, they will spend only 1 day together before he leaves, his breeding season complete.
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Laying Eggs
It only takes 24 hours for the female to lay her eggs after mating. The average clutch size is 2. At the base of her tower, she digs a hole, deep enough to go undetected but shallow enough for the eggs to sense the moon above them. She knocks down her tower, covering the hole in the process. She retires nearby to keep an eye over her nest(s) until they hatch.
The eggs have only a 25% chance to be pure blood moon eggs. Regular moon eggs will hatch during a full moon, but blood moon eggs will only hatch when there is a blood moon event. Because this may take some time, adult females may have more than one nest at a time.
Blood moon dragon female atop her tower.
Male and female blood moon dragon in breeding season.
A typical blood moon dragon habitat
Habitat
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Living
Blood moon dragons live in flat places so that they may be seen/ can see for miles around during breeding season. It is important to be as visible as possible, since there are so few blood moon dragons. Many prefer sandy deserts, as sand keeps scales shiny and polished.
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Collections
The only collection blood moon dragons need are their beautiful scales and feathery plumage. They meticulously take care of their scales and feathers during breeding season.
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Movement
Before maturing, blood moon dragons will travel quite some distance from their nest to start their adult life. Once in their new home, females usually stay within a couple miles of their chosen land. Males will roam 10-20 miles in search of a female.
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Diet
They can eat any bug found in their habitat. Their scales are thick, so they are immune to stings from poisonous prey, unless they get stung in their eyes.
