Aww... It’s a cute baby dragon. It has no legs, and the end of its tail is a bright red.

And look! It’s grown more red frills along its back and sides.

Young dragons are relatively defenseless. They are born with relatively soft scales, which are shed and replaced with harder ones as the hatchling matures. Once a hatchling’s wings grow in, it typically marks the beginning of maturation. At this point they are often capable of hunting on their own and are usually left alone by their mother.

This dragon lives in the rafters of an old barn. She imprinted on the farmer the first day she arrived there, when he inadvertently startled a mouse to her hiding place. She made quick work of the tiny creature and followed the farmer about as he did his work. He since noticed her, and now the farmer helps her find food by pointing out creatures that ravage his crops. They each appreciate what the other does for them.

Initially drawn there by the presence of mice, Zzapl discovered that barn cats were a nasty competitor for her preferred food—until she grew larger. Now she hunts the barn cats as well as mice, keeping the barn free of both. The farmer does not mind as long as his livestock are unmolested.