Mythological Animals and Inspirations

Western dragons are based heavily on cats and legless lizards. They have small scales and wings, which is their main trait separating them from Eastern dragons.

Notable traits that Western dragons have are:

• Purring (cats)

• Inability to roar (also cats)

• Clacking their teeth together to show contentment and happiness (budgies)

• Pinning their eyes to show that they like something (Macaws)

  • This is when their pupils get smaller, not larger.

• Feeling calm when eyes are hooded or covered (birds of prey)

• Plucking or scraping off scales as a sign of stress (parrots)

• Bobbing their head as a threat display (anoles/bearded dragons)

Eastern dragons are based on snakes and lizards. They have large scales. There are many more differences in the mythologies of Eastern dragons, so while some traits are collective, some are reserved to only that kind of Eastern Dragon. 

Thunder Dragon 

Chinese Dragon