Dragons are creatures with nearly unlimited life spans. They can survive for long periods of time, and no one has found a dragon that has died of old age. Adolescence is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. Once they hit adolescence, hatchlings change quickly, maturing to their full forms in only 2 years.

Dragons don’t communicate with each other verbally, but they will growl to scare off predators and frighten prey. Young dragons will emit an extremely high-pitched squeal when they are frightened. To communicate, they use telepathy with each other and to speak to other creatures.

Dorsal dragons are so named because they have large fins along their backs that can be raised and lowered at will. They use these fins to regulate body temperature; they raise them to cool off when they become overheated. The bright colors on the fins double as a means of attracting mates.

Out of gratitude for Sail Back's attempts to recruit new dragons for their nomadic herd, Crystal Tiger Stripe selected this Purple Dorsal dragon to be Sail Back's mate.  Amethyst Drake is exceedingly gentle and maternal, taking it upon herself to be the mother hen for the dragons in Crystal Tiger Stripe's nomadic dragon herd.  When it comes to her chosen mate, Sail Back, they are mutually devoted to one another and are rarely apart.