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.

whYZs Trotsky doesn't understand the whole concept of obsessive compulsive collecting. "If I have one perfect elephant sculpture, why would I want to clutter up my cave with more," is the usual line of questioning when he's trying to explain himself. whYZs really doesn't understand why Lagie is so obsessed with what she calls the Z Project Dragons. "They're just dragons. I don't see what's so special about them," he says. Nothing Lagie or any of the other Z collectors say seems to sink in, no matter how many times they try, so most of the time now, they no longer bother to answer when they hear whYZs muttering about "those darned Z's".