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.

Dragons are highly-intelligent reptilian creatures that—from a human perspective, at least—appear to live forever. Many different varieties of dragon exist, each with their own unique qualities, habitats, and behavior. Adolescence in dragons 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. In Galsreim, dragons and humans coexist peacefully.

Much like a cat, Sidnala spends most of her time lounging around. She prefers to bask in a nice sunny spot near her nest-sister, Marindala, and keeps the steadfast guardian company through most of the day. When it gets to be too warm for her dorsal fins to help cool off (even aided by an extended wing from Mari), she'll either take a dip in the nearby lake, or retreat to the cave for a catnap.

Nighttime usually finds her curled around the ever-present but constantly changing clutch of eggs, sharing with the hatchlings inside the incredible warmth she had stored up during the daylight hours.