Greater Spotted Drakes are found in open pine and oak forests. They are among the larger end of the spectrum, but are quite laid back and feed mostly on plant material. They are ambush predators and rely on their dappled markings for camouflage. Females are usually larger than males, though males are brighter in color. In the breeding season the male attracts a mate by making loud, low-pitched bugles, followed by an aerial courtship dance as proof of his quality as a father to her offspring.

Though it may appear at first that dragons and drakes have much in common, the two are completely separate species. Drakes are smaller and less intelligent than their cousin species, though both dragons and drakes sit comfortably near the top of the food chain. They are always found bearing antlers and leathery wings. Drakes share many of the same habitats that dragons do, and typically hunt in packs.

Pea Mottle's life was as typical as possible for a solitary Spotted Drake. This changed the day he tried to ambush a prey animal that a Brute dragon had already targeted. The ensuing fight left Pea Mottle with bad injuries, and he had just enough strength left to drag himself to find a safe place to die. As luck would have it, the place he chose to spend his final moments was a human barn, where he was discovered by the farmer's little girl. Because the little girl was too young to be afraid of the dragon, she brought Pea Mottle some scraps of food each day, and even helped bandage his open wounds. Under her care, Pea Mottle's strength returned. But when he was well enough to leave the farm, he saw the little girl being attacked by a Green Dragon and came to her defense without hesitation. After the Green Dragon had been driven off, the little girl's parents allowed Pea Mottle to stay on their farm, grateful of how he'd protected their child.