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.

Seasonal dragons take on the characteristics of the season during which they are born. Thus, eggs that are laid in spring match the pink flowers and green buds of spring, and those that are laid in the summer grow to depict the bright green of the forest trees and the yellow of the sun. Eggs laid in autumn display the bright colors of leaves falling from trees, and those that are laid during winter take on the appearance of the icy snow.

Yuletide Duchess is most active during the winter months, the season in which her egg was laid. While her autumn father and pink mother stay in the cave for warmth and shelter, she prefers to remain outside. She doesn't mind the company of others when it is on her terms, but she chooses to spend most of her time alone in contemplation and reflection. She sits through even the most frigid of weather conditions with a steadfast expression. Once the fresh snow has settled, she burrows beneath the glistening blanket to sleep until the sun breaches the snow and touches her hide. When she rises, she returns to the cave to await the next depiction of her season. Her wait will be a long one, and the other dragons are trying to get her to "warm up" to nice weather.