The wyvern is a true menace, from head to toe: - Blazing eyes dominate its horrible, scaly head; its legs, which are as large as tree trunks, can kick down whole buildings.
- Two leathery wings propel the giant dragon through the air. When flapped, they generate a fierce, destructive wind.
- The wyvern’s belly, covered with impenetrable scales, often looked bloated—a sign that the beast had recently feasted on some unlucky villager.
- Filled with cutting teeth and encrusted with the flesh of its prey, the wyvern’s jaws emit clouds of repulsive, sulphurous fumes, which mingle with the decaying stench of rotting flesh.
A World of Dragons
Name a country or a culture, and it likely has a dragon in its past. Dragon images have been found in China, Egypt, Ethiopia, on Viking ships from Scandinavia, Aztec temples in Mexico and cliffs above the Mississippi River in the United States.
Like the wyvern, some dragons guard treasure and devour humans who dare to steal it. But other dragons bring good luck, grant magical powers, change the weather or warn of doom.
Did Dragons Really Exist? The idea of flying dragons may have come from the real-life flying lizard. It spreads the flaps on its sides and glides or parachutes down from trees. This lizard lives in Malaysia, but was imported into Europe.
Another origin of the dragon myth could have come from the sea. The 30-foot-long oarfish, with a red crest on its head, may have been spotted hundreds of years ago and believed to be a dragon.
If your child is fascinated by the wyvern and other strange and wonderful critters, he or she will love Weird n' Wild Creatures, a collection of creature cards and activities that peaks kids’ natural curiosity and makes learning fun. Learn more.