History

Evolved to the tolerate the cooler, northern climate the Woodland Drac (or Feathered Drac) is widespread within the Forbidden Zone. While rare in the southern, tropical regions they are abundant once you enter the more temperate climates of the north.

Research has yet to conducted at length on these amazing creatures but it's now believed Drac's originated from the Forbidden Zone before migrating to the colonized islands of Zei Lu. Woodland Dracs and the Zei Lu Dracs share a common Drac ancestor but its thought that these feathered cousins share more of the traits from this unknown, common ancestor.

Besides the obvious downy of feathers that covers these Drac's hoof to horn there are many attributes that one wouldn't notice until they look closer. Feathered Drac scaling is more concentrated around the chest and limited on the back legs. Spines around the jawline of the Drac are smaller and sometimes don't exist at all! The same can be said for the spines on the necks of these Dracs which are absent along with the spikes on their tail.

The classical horns that sprout from the back of this skulls are always present but often a little hard to see from under the crown of feathers that rests on their heads.

The wings of these creatures hold the most interesting adaptation as the wing membrane still exists under the feathers! This allows the Drac to still fly even when molting.

Some reports have also come in about feathered Drac's having an 'Over Growth' of feathers. These Stallions tend to maintain leadership roles in herds which has earned it the name of the 'Kings Crest' however it's been observed that mares can also sport these feathers though it is rare.

Naturally, the most special thing about these new Drac's is their luscious feathers!! Breeding feathers into non-feathered lines of Drac's can be tricky but not impossible! Chances increase if you're lucky enough to find a Kings Crested Drac.

The following equations represent the probability chances of passing feathering in Drac breedings.

Key
KC = Kings Crest
NF = Non-Feathered

Feathered X Feathered = 90% feathered, 5% Kings Crest (KC), 5% NF
Feathered X Kings Crest = 90% feathered, 10% Kings Crest
Feathered X Non-feathered= 48% feathered, 49% NF, 5% KC
Kings Crest X Kings Crest = 80% Feathered, 20% KC
Kings Crest X Non-Feathered = 49% Feathered, 49% NF, 2% KC

Herd behaviors vary wildly when it comes to the Woodland Dracs. Commonly herds consist of 2-3 mated pairs with the occasional bachelor or bachelorette Drac. These ‘flocks’ are VERY close family groups where Dracs care for one another and their chicks. Often, the yearling offspring of the mated pairs will remain with the herd to help raise their new siblings the following year, a behavior most common when they fail to acquire mates of their own.

Generally speaking, most Woodland Dracs exhibit bird like behaviors. These include but are not limited to:

• Mating for Life

• Having a set "Nesting Grounds"

• "Nest Thieving" : Where females Dracs will lay their eggs in other nests to avoid raising them

• "Mate Stealing" : Where the female in a mated pair breeds to another stallion when she fails to acquire him as a mate herself.

• Migration

• Mating Displays and Courtship Rituals

• Chirping / Singing

• Biannual molting (Once in the spring and once in the fall)

Fire Types

Since the Forbidden Zone has varying Platinum deposits all over the land, Woodland Dracs have just as varying fire types. What type the Drac exhibits is dependent on their upbringing, meaning they can be virtually any type. Generally speaking, herds tend to have the same fire types which is why they group together.

Sizes and Clutches

Woodland Dracs vary in size in comparison to their island cousins. Generally, they tend to be quite larger! Woodland Dracs can be as tiny as 15 hh and as large as 18 hh!!! Because of their increased size, Woodland Dracs often have larger clutches. Eggs, however, are smaller in size individually. The following is a break down of these new, known facts!

• Average: 3-5 eggs per clutch for Dracs 16 hh or taller

• 1-2 eggs per clutch for Dracs under 16 hh

• There doesn't appear to be a height differential when it comes to genders. Both males and females can be large or small.

• Generally Woodland Drac's hover around the 17 hh mark but extra large specimens (18hh) and extra small specimens (15hh) have been observed.

• Breeding a Drac stallion to a mare who is 2 hands smaller than the stallion is discouraged as it can often lead to the mare becoming "Egg Bound" or miscarriages.

Naturally, the most special thing about these new Drac's is their luscious feathers!! Breeding Woodland Dracs with other Drac's can be tricky but not impossible! Chances increase if you're lucky enough to find a Kings Crested Woodland Drac.

The following equations represent the probability chances of passing feathering in Drac breedings.