When Water Dragons mature, they lose the ability to survive on land, entering the water permanently. They are adept swimmers and eat whatever fish are in the lake they live in. They tend to inhabit the same lake for their entire lives, although a few live in the ocean and swim all over the world.

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.

The eldest of the five powerful Gumee brothers and leader of the water dragons of the JavaTiger Clan, Gitche is a force to be reckoned with. His water dragons are generally a peaceful breed, but that doesn't mean that they can't defend themselves at need, and Gitche is bigger and stronger than most. When he isn't leading his dragons throughout the vast lake that lies near the JavaTigers' cave and defending their lair in the flooded portion of the cave, Gitche especially likes to test his strength and ability as a swimmer against the strong gales that sometimes sweep the water. When one of those arises, he is often found out in the thick of it, racing the waves and diving in them, powered by the strength of his own sturdy tail. Humans regard the lake as dangerous and treacherous, but Gitche and his dragons know it well, and understand that it needs to be treated with a proper respect. As such, he knows all of the water's moods, and he always knows when there is a storm on its way.