Lake Dragons
Ranging across the sub-arctic. Native to the innumerable unexplored glacial lakes of Alaska, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and Great Lakes Region. Also found across the Russian Far East, Siberia and Northern Europe. The Lake Dragons (Palustridracinae; Palustridraco borealis Species Complex) are a species complex of Aquatic, Flightless, Basal Dragons containing a staggering 2,200 species.
Biology
Lake Dragons are more closely related to flying species of Dragons than sea-going species, but have convergently evolved many similar features such as heavy, solid bones and a long serpentine body.
Ecology
Each species of Lake Dragon is native to one or two Freshwater Lakes that began to form at the end of the Last Glacial Period around 14,000 years ago, as retreating ice sheets exposed the basins they had carved into the land, which then filled with meltwater. A series of meltwater floods allowed a handful of or a single species of ancestral lake whale to migrate to hundreds of lakes, where they were then isolated and began to evolve into new species.
Lake Dragons are often the apex predator of their water body, though they usually share this position alongside members of the other Glacial Lake species Complexes such as Lake Ammondosaurs, Lake Zeuglodonts, Lake Ichthyosaurs, Lake Mosasaurs, Lake Serpents, Lake Plesiosaurs, Variable Lake Monsters. Some smaller species are known to be preyed upon by Northern Pike, Muskellunge and Raptors such as Bald Eagles and Osprey
Notable Species
- Kabetogama Lake Eight-spotted Dragon
- Locater Lake Dragon
- Loiten Lake Dragon
- Oslo Lake Dragon
- Rainy Lake Thorn-ridged Dragon
- Quill Lake Dragon
- Shoepack Lake Dragon
- War Club Lake Dragon
Similar Species
Conservation
Almost all Lake Dragon species are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to their extremely limited ranges and low populations as well as threats from boats and pollution of their lakes.