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.

Guardian dragons have large shields on the end of their tails. Although the shields appear to be heavy, they are light, yet nearly unbreakable. Guardian dragons use their tail-shields, as well as their wings, to deflect attacks and protect others. Often, they will guard the eggs and hatchlings of a nest while others are away. They are generally peaceful, and will not retaliate unless necessary. They have no need to forage or hunt, as they are fed by those they protect.

Next Defender, a very motherly and nurturing dragon, is the first Guardian to her clan. Besides having a few children of her own, she, like most female Guardians, is mother to all the young ones she protects. As a young hatchling she witnessed the adults hunting, and was horrified. So it became, that while most Guardian dragons simply do not have to hunt, N.D. came to hate it. She nags whenever the hunting dragons bring home a kill, and shuns meat. So the hunters bring her small trees instead, as it's the only way to satisfy a hungry vegetarian Guardian.