Dragons and Dinosaurs Field Trip Guide

Dragons and DinosDinosDinosDinos Field Trip Guide

Wilbur D. May Museum 1595 N Sierra Street Reno, NV 89503 775-785-5961

www.maycenter.com

Washoe County Regional Parks & Open Space 2601 Plumas Street Reno NV 89509 775-828-6501

www.washoecountyparks.us

February 17, 2011 Dear Educator:

Welcome to Dragons and DinosDinosDinosDinos, the Wilbur D. May Museum’s 2011 Spring

Exhibit. This multi-cultural educational exhibit will explore and contrast the dragon legends and myths of the ancient people of Central America and China, and Medieval Europe. By comparing scientific facts and methodology with beliefs and fantasy, we will introduce the very real world of Dinosaurs to the fantasy world of Dragons We are hopeful that this exhibit will inspire students to read and write, explore and discover more about the wonderful and fantastic world of Dragons and Dinos. Hope to see you soon, Kristy Lide, Curator Wilbur D. May Museum

Dragons and Dinos Field Trip Guide

What is a Dinosaur?...............................................................................................................................1

Our Dinosaurs on Display .....................................................................................................................2

From Dinosaur to Dragon .....................................................................................................................2

Mesoamerican Culture and Quetzalcoatl ...........................................................................................2

Sea Serpents and Ancient Maps .........................................................................................................3

European Dragon ...................................................................................................................................4

European Medieval Court .....................................................................................................................6

Medieval Clothing...................................................................................................................................7

Medieval Knights – Dragon Slayers ....................................................................................................5

Dragon Colors Defined ..........................................................................................................................7

Famous Dragons in Literature..............................................................................................................8

Eastern Dragons.....................................................................................................................................9

Chinese Court .........................................................................................................................................9

Ancient Chinese Clothing....................................................................................................................10

Chinese Parade Dragon......................................................................................................................10

Chinese Astrological Zodiac ...............................................................................................................11

Are There Any Dragons Living Today?.............................................................................................11

Real Dragons of Yesterday.................................................................................................................12

Cryptozoology .......................................................................................................................................12

Beliefs vs. Science – Did Dragons really exist? ..............................................................................13


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What is a Dinosaur? No bones about it! The dinosaurs make up a very special group of reptiles. The word “dinosaur” means terrible lizard, but in fact dinosaurs were not very lizard-like at all. So what are dinosaurs and what makes them so special? Dinosaurs are extinct reptiles with special features in their skeletons that make them very different from any other reptiles. The most obvious feature is that dinosaurs’ legs were tucked up under their bodies. This allowed them to stand erect, whereas other reptiles assumed a sprawling position. Dinosaurs’ hind legs were joined to the backbone with five vertebrae rather than two as in other reptiles. Dinosaur ankles were like those of birds; their heel bones were fused to their shin bones. Dinosaurs also had a modified diapsid skull, which had more holes in it than the skulls of other reptiles: two openings behind the eyes and one between the nose and the eye. Birds have a streamlined version of this skull type. When did dinosaurs live? All dinosaurs lived during the Mesozoic Era, which began about 250 million years ago and ended about 65 million years ago. The Mesozoic Era is often referred to as the Age of Reptiles. Where did dinosaurs live? Dinosaur fossils are found all over the world. Remains have even been found in Australia and Argentina, which would have been in the Antarctic Circle during the Mesozoic Era. Studies suggest that in some of these areas temperatures would have dropped below freezing during part of the year and it would have been dark for many months at a time. The location of dinosaur fossils in colder climates also supports the warm-blooded theory. Dinosaurs Rule! Dinosaurs dominated the land during the Mesozoic Era. They did not fly, but a special group of reptiles called pterosaurs did. Dinosaurs did not live in the sea either, but separate groups of marine reptiles, the mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and the dolphin-like ichthyosaurs did. So if a Mesozoic reptile has wings of flippers, you can bet that it is not a dinosaur. Dino facts: A. The oldest dinosaur ever discovered was the Eoraptor. He was a small (22 lb)

omnivore (meat and plant eating dinosaur) that lived 230 million years ago. B. The largest dinosaur to be discovered was the Brachiosaurus - meaning arm lizard. He

was 23 meters long and 12 meters high. This is as long as 2 large school buses parked end to end and as high as a 4 story building. (lived in North America)

C. The smallest dinosaur discovered so far is the Compsognathus, which was only slightly larger than a chicken.

D. The smartest dinosaur discovered, judging by brain size, was Troodon, a small bird-like meat eating dinosaur.

Classroom Activities Discuss how large a million is, especially in the context of geologic time. Review geologic time; the various eras and periods and the life forms that existed in each. See the “Life in a Day” chart in the appendix.


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Discuss the characteristics of a dinosaur (as opposed to those of other early reptiles.) Note: Mesozoic reptiles that flew or swam were not dinosaurs, even though they lived during the same time. Develop spelling-related activities such as crosswords, word searches and spelling bees to develop a working vocabulary. Samples of crosswords and word searches and a vocabulary list are included in the appendix.

Our Dinosaurs on Display Our display includes animatronic replicas of

• DEINONYCHUS

• DILOPHOSAURUS

• DIMETRODON

• PARASAUROLOPHUS

• PTERANODON

• STEGOSAURUS

• TYRANNOSAURUS Creature data pages are included in the appendix. From Dinosaur to Dragon The definition of a Dragon is a legendary beast with serpentine or reptilian features that exists in the myths of many cultures. How did dragon stories begin? Paleontologists and “dracontologists” believe that before scientists knew all about dinosaurs, people discovered dinosaur bones, and didn’t know what they were. They imagined about the kinds of creatures that had such huge bones, sharp teeth, and long claws. We will discuss the dragons of the ancient people of Mesoamerica and Asia, and of Medieval Europe. Though many countries have myths with their own cultural look and approach, generally speaking, the Asian Dragon is regarded as benevolent while the European Dragon is viewed as malevolent.

Classroom Activity Have students place a piece of paper over the diagram of the dinosaur skeleton included in the appendix, and draw a dragon, using the basic structure of a dinosaur. Students can use a globe or map to identify the geographic regions discussed in the exhibit.

Mesoamerican Culture and Quetzalcoatl

Mesoamerica is a cultural region consisting of southern Mexico and northern regions of Central America.


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One category of dragons in known as “Shape Shifters.” Shape shifting dragons can change from dragons, to animals, and even to people! A very famous shape shifter from Central America was Quetzalcoatl (Ket-zal-CO-atl), the Feathered Serpent. For thousands of years, Quetzalcoatl was one of the most important figures in the traditional mythologies of Mesoamerica, and appeared in some of the region’s most powerful and enduring stories. The ancient Aztecs and Mayans revered Quetzalcoatl as both a ruler and a god. In his human form Quetzalcoatl was seen as a strong young king, magnificently attired in a cloak made of the feathers of the Quetzal bird, a symbol of wealth, status, and agricultural abundance. In another form, Quetzalcoatl appeared as a plumed serpent dragon, often arched across the heavens. Quetzalcoalt the man brought prosperity to the land, teaching artists and craftsmen their trades, inspiring song, dance and poetry as well as bestowing justice and mercy to the people. In his god form, Quetzalcoatl was believed to be the creator of all life. He was known as the god of wind, rain and fertility. He bestowed the gift of fire, and was the first to bring corn to the land, which later became a mainstay in their diets. Many temples were built to him, and great celebrations took place in his honor. When the Spanish Conquistadors invaded the land, they destroyed the temples of Quetzalcoatl, but they could not destroy the legends that endure to this day.

Classroom Activities Quetzalcoatl wore robes made of the feathers of the Quetzal bird. This magnificent bird has emerald-green tail feathers that grow to 24 inches long. These feathers were considered to be more precious than gold. Since the Quetzal was so greatly sought after, this impressive bird is now an endangered species living in the rain forests of Guatemala. The Quetzal would be a very interesting topic for an extra credit report. Other related topics of study are the ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins and cultures of Mesoamerica, including the legends of Quetzalcoatl.

Sea Serpents and Ancient Maps The Sea Serpent or “Water Dragon” has been noted by sea faring nations for generations. In Norse mythology “Jormungands” was a sea serpent so long that it could encircle the entire world. Ancient stories of the beast included sailors mistaking its back for a chain of islands. The Scandinavian nations are historically seafaring nations and were the acknowledged masters of the sea for centuries. It was from this region that the legendary Vikings emerged. In 1028 Saint Olaf reportedly killed and threw a sea serpent named Syltefjellet onto a mountain in Norway and it is said the marks of the act are still visible there.


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In 1555 Olaus Magnus wrote of many sea faring monsters in his book “History of the Northern Peoples.” One of the creatures he described was 200 feet long, 20 feet wide and lived in the rifts and caves outside Bergen. Mangus wrote that the creature had long hair, sharp black scales and flaming red eyes. He wrote that it commonly attacked ships and people. The belief in Sea Serpents was so prevalent in the past that many maps bore inscriptions on them warning of the creatures’ presence in certain areas. The inscriptions of Here be Dragons – “Hic Sunt Dracones” appears on these notable maps from the past or in notable dragon illustrations.

1. The Lenox Globe (1503-07). The inscription appears on the eastern coast of Asia 2. Depictions of dragons appear on the nineteenth century Japanese map – Jishin-no-

ben, which is in the library of the University of British Columbia. 3. Tabula Pentingeriana (medieval Roman map) 4. The Psalter map (1250) 5. The Ebstorf map (13th century) 6. The Borgia map (1430) 7. Geovanni Leardo’s map (1442) 8. Bishop Olaus Mangus’ Carta Marina, map of Scandinavia (1539)

Most of these maps can be viewed in A Book of Old Maps Delineating American History by Emerson D. Fite and Archibald Freemen (New York; Dover Reprints 1969) and “A Catalogue of Early Globes made prior to 1850 and Conserved in the United States” (New York, American Geographical Society, 1968)

Classroom Activities Copies of the most of the maps can be found on-line. Students can compare modern maps to these historical maps and point out differences. Cartography and how the spread of exploration gave us more precise information can also be discussed.

European Dragon

The European Dragon is derived from various “folktales” throughout Europe and follow in the tradition of those various countries. Ultimately, however, these folktales find their origin in Greek and Middle Eastern mythologies. In European folklore, the dragon is a serpentine legendary creature and is usually portrayed as evil. European Dragons have none of the positive aspects attributed to their Eastern counterparts. European Dragons have a history steeped in violence, cruelty and death. Dragons appear in most fables and fairytales as keepers of treasure – either gold or precious jewels or as a “maiden in distress”.

In modern fiction, it is depicted as a huge fire-breathing, scaly and horned dinosaur-like creature, with leathery wings, four legs and a long muscular tail.


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Medieval Knights – Dragon Slayers Life for a medieval knight began when he was taken to a local castle at the age of seven or eight to begin his training as a page. As a page he would have been educated by the ladies of the court in courtesy, etiquette, reading, writing and history. He would also have instruction in music and dance as well as religious studies. Between the ages of 14 and 16 a page would graduate to the position of squire under the tutelage of a knight. He would then be taught about armor and weapons, and the tactics of warfare. He would tend to the needs of the knight he served, caring for the knight’s belongings, the knight’s horse and equipment, and in helping the knight prepare for battle. As a fully equipped knight might weigh well over 200 pounds he had to be helped donning his armor and being hoisted into the saddle of his rides. A squire could graduate to the rank of knight at the age of 18, but not all did because of the cost involved. Armor was very expensive and had to be specially made to fit properly. Also, the horse that a knight rode had to be of special breeding to insure the proper size and strength required of a war horse. In comparable costs, a horse of this type would cost the same as a small plane today. The breeds most often in use were the forerunners of the modern draught horse – the Friesian (Dutch), the Percheron (French), the Belgian (German), and the Shire and Clydesdale (British). Armor and protective skirting and equipment for the horse would be additional expenses as well as the feeding and care of the animal. In all respects, equipment for a knight was heavy and large, demanding a great deal of stamina, strength, courage and training for both horse and rider. In the early Middle Ages a suit of mail was made up of over 200,000 interlocking rings and was very heavy and uncomfortable to wear. Later, a plate metal suit of armor that weighed between 60-100 lbs. was used. The famous broadsword used by knights in battle weighed about 32 lbs so with the addition of shields, lances, mace, etc.; one can easily imagine that a knight would have to be very fit and strong – as would the horse carrying him. Knights gave an oath of chivalry to defend the weak and the helpless but they most often served in the army of a liege lord or nobleman, or in the army of the King. Their duties were to protect and serve the fiefdoms and properties of the nobleman or King against anything threatening that stability. This included Dragons! A law once existed in England that stated that anyone killing a dragon would automatically be awarded the title of knight and be given land and money as reward. Famous Dragon slayers

• In Greek Mythology: Apollo killed a dragon with a bow and arrow when he was 4 years old. Zeus, chief among Greek Mythological Gods, killed the terrible dragon “Typhon” with a thunderbolt.

• Pendragon: Uther Pendragon, whose name meant Dragon’s Head, was the father of Arthur Pendragon (known as Son of the Dragon) who became England’s legendary King Arthur. He headed up the famous Knights of the Round Table in Camelot.


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• St. George and the Dragon – (England) Christian martyr. Killed a dragon to rescue Princess Silene

Classroom Activities Extensive literature exists regarding medieval knights and “dragon slayers.” Stories can be read in the classroom or individually by students.

European Medieval Court The court of the medieval monarch or nobleman is a term for the extended household and all those who regularly attended on the ruler or central figure. This included the King, Queen, Ladies in waiting, and in the largest courts many thousands of individuals comprised the court. The court was the center of political life, fashion, literary trends, music and art. Much of this activity would have included the “problem” of dragons in which a king would face the complexity of dealing with the creatures. It was a problem held in widespread belief in Europe during the Middle Ages as is reflected in law, literature and music of those times. It is also evident in cartography from those times – map making – in which all manner of fantastic beasts and beings were illustrated on seafaring maps. Warrior Kings such as Uther and Arthur Pendragon became legendary in part because of their interactions with Dragons and a great deal of literature was written about such exploits. That the Dragon was very real to people of this time is very well indicated by the way they lived their lives. Kings and knights were expected to deal with them to protect people and property. Since much of international trade depended on travel by sea, the possibility of encountering dreaded sea serpents was of grave concern to national commerce and the economy of these countries. We must remember that until October of 1492 the prevailing belief was also that the world was flat and that even if one could successfully elude the sea dragons there was still the very real danger of falling off the end of the earth. While we may smile a bit now over the beliefs and superstitions of these times we must also remember that it was the intelligence and courage of these same people, through exploration and discovery, that lead us to the scientific knowledge that we enjoy today. They faced their dragons – frightening though it must have been – to conquer a brave new world! The European courts were responsible for many of the cultural and political advantages that we enjoy in America today. The term “court” that we understand today as a seat of law originated with the royal courts of ancient time. Laws and rights established in these courts were the fore-runners of our own Bill of Rights and Constitution. And… as we stand smiling about laws passed then to correct the problem of a badly behaving dragon, we should consider the fact that there are now laws in several states of the U.S. that protect Sasquatch (Big Foot) and Lake Monsters! Belief can very easily be as powerful as scientific “fact!”


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Medieval Clothing In Medieval Europe most people wore loose linen or wool tunics like big baggy t-shirts. But clothing did become more complicated in the Middle Ages, and more used to distinguish men and women of different professions from each other. Men mostly wore tunics down to their knees, though kings and noblemen wore their tunics down to the ground for parties and ceremonies. Men sometimes also wore wool pants under their tunics. Wearing pants was originally a Germanic idea, and the Romans disapproved of it. It gradually caught on anyway, especially among men who rode horses and in colder areas. Noblemen wore tights under their tunics. If it was cold outside, men wore wool cloaks. Women also wore different kinds of clothes depending on who they were. All women wore at least one tunic down to their ankles. Many women, if they could afford it, wore a linen under-tunic and a woolen over-tunic, and often a wool cloak over that if they were going outside. On their legs women sometimes wore woven tights or socks, but women never wore pants. Noble women often wore fancy tall hats, sometimes with streamers coming off them. Not much medieval clothing survives today, because clothing tends to rot when it is buried under the ground, and even in the air it tears and gets threadbare. Most of what we know about medieval clothing comes from medieval pictures and sculptures, which have lasted better.

Classroom Activities Students can discuss in the classroom, different textiles i.e. wool and linen worn in the European medieval period, and hemp, ramie and silk in ancient China, and compare with textiles and styles worn today.

Dragon Colors Defined

Color symbolism is an important component of art and myth. An interesting facet of the dragon world is that the color of the dragon represents the type, personality and symbolism of each dragon. We have on display murals of the black, red, blue, green, and white dragons. See if you can find them all.

• Black Dragons: The Black Dragon is said to be vile, evil tempered and obsessed with death and killing. They live in bogs, swamps and jungles. They are abusive, quick to anger, vindictive and malevolent.

• Red Dragons: Greedy and covetous, Red Dragons are obsessed with increasing their treasure hordes. They live in volcanoes and on tropical islands. When angry, flames dance out of their nostrils. They smell of smoke and sulfur and are fiercely territorial. They like to eat meat – especially people. They breathe deadly fire.


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• Blue Dragons: Blue Dragons are pensive, lawful and vain. They live in deserts and arid steppes. They have frilled ears and a single horn upon their head. They smell of ozone and sand and sand follows them where ever they go. They like to fly and create wind storms and dust devils. It eats snakes and reptiles but is especially fond of camels. They are aristocratic and enjoy setting and reflecting in deep thought. They are the only European dragon that is lawful and has some sense of morals. Blue Dragons breathe lightning bolts.

• Green Dragons: Belligerent Green Dragons are masters of intrigue, politics and back-biting. They are cruel and prefer to live in old growth forest. Is a schemer and makes his home behind waterfalls, or in ponds streams and rivers that provide a submerged entrance. The closer one gets to the lair of a green Dragon the darker and denser the woods become. Evil hangs in the air and produces foul odors. The Green Dragon resembles a Brontosaurus and reeks of chlorine. Green Dragons breathe poisonous gas – toxic chlorine.

• White Dragon: Small and intelligent, the White Dragon lives in frigid icy climates, high mountains and arctic regions. It prefers to be alone and has a very good memory. It is swift and alert but cowardly. It breathes a chilling frost.

Famous Dragons in Literature

Dragons have appeared in literature for centuries, from medieval to modern time.

• Beowulf is an Old English heroic epic poem written between the 8th and 11th

century. When it was printed in 1815, it became more widely known.

• In 1871, Lewis Carroll wrote Through the Looking Glass with the famed dragon

“The Jabberwocky.”

• Examples of more contemporary writing include Peter Yarrow’s Puff the Magic

Dragon, Anne McCaffrey’s Dragon Riders of Pern series, and J.K. Rowling’s Harry

Potter series.

Classroom Activities There are many types of fictional books and stories. When you are reading books about dragons, see if you can tell which type or types of fiction you are reading. Story – the telling of an event or events; account; narration. A fictitious narrative shorter than a novel. Legend – a story or body of stories handed down for generations and popularly believed to have a historical basis. Myth – a traditional story of ostensibly historical content whose origin has been lost. Tale – a true or fictitious story. Fable – a fictitious story, usually about animals, meant to teach a moral lesson. Anecdote – a short, entertaining account of some event. Folk tale – the traditional beliefs, legends, etc., of a culture. Fairy tale – story about fairies, magic deeds, etc. An unbelievable story. Allegory – a story that contains another underlying meaning. Saga – long story of heroic deeds. Epic – a long narrative poem in a dignified style about the deeds of a hero or heroes.


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Students can write their own story using the characteristics of one of the dragon colors and then identify what type of fiction they created. The Washoe County Library reading list is included in the appendix.

Eastern Dragons Traditionally, the legendary Far East Dragon finds its origins in ancient China but we find old and respected traditions for Japan and Korea as well. A unique distinction in far east culture is that Chinese dragons are most often depicted with five toes, Korean dragons have four, and Japanese have three. The Chinese have a saying that states that the Dragon lost toes the further he got from ancestral China and the Japanese say that the Dragon gained toes the further he got from ancestral Japan. The traditional Eastern perception of the Dragon is that he is the master entity of the four benevolent spirit creatures of the earth: The Unicorn, the Phoenix, and the Tortoise being the other three. The Chinese word for Dragon is “Lung” or “Long”. In India the Dragons are bearded, silver backed and their eyes consist of a fiery stone that has power for many secret purposes. The Indian Dragon may have many limbs and multiple heads. It is said to hunt and feed on elephants. It is very serpentine and often hooded like a cobra. Persian Dragons are considered evil and malevolent like European Dragons. Eastern Dragons are valued for magic and beauty and are held in very high esteem in Asian Countries. They symbolize heroism and are viewed as protectors. Eastern Dragons are reputed to live in damp places such as lakes or the ocean. They are credited with making rain and controlling floods and transporting people to heaven. They are the symbol of the Chinese nation and rulers of water and weather. There are deep cultural and spiritual ties to the Dragon in most Asian cultures that have existed for centuries.

Chinese Court The courts of Chinese Emperors were among the largest in the world. These courts were highly refined and educated and had great impact on culture and society. Among the greatest of these was the court of the Yellow Emperor – Huang-Di. He is a half historical, half legendary sovereign and cultural hero in Chinese history and mythology. According to Chinese belief, their Emperors were the direct descendants of the Dragon. The Yellow Emperor was the first of five legendary Emperors and lived about 2697 B.C. He is regarded as the founder of Chinese civilization. He was believed to have become an “immortal.” Legend says that he was the son of a Dragon and that he traveled around his empire in an ivory chariot pulled by dragons and an elephant. Under his rule the science


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of astronomy flourished as did mathematics and the arts. His wife, Lei Zu, is credited with the discovery of the silkworm’s silk thread used in making the fabulous silk fabric. The first Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, was the first to unify China. He lived from 259 B.C. to 210 B.C. He introduced systems of government, law, music and art to China. He began the construction of the Great Wall of China and in recent years archeologists discovered that his tomb was guarded by thousands of warriors and horses – life sized and intricately fashioned out of a type of clay know as terra cotta. Today, we will find “The Forbidden City” located in the middle of Beijing, China, which served as the Imperial Palace for almost 500 years. Built in the early 15th century, it was home to the emperors and their households as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government. It is the world’s largest surviving palace complex and covers 178 acres. It ceased being the political center of China in 1912 and now houses the Palace Museum. Ancient Chinese Clothing People in China generally wore tunics (like long t-shirts). Women wore long tunics down to the ground, with belts, and men wore shorter ones down to their knees. Sometimes they wore jackets over their tunics. In the winter, when it was cold, people wore padded jackets over their tunics, and sometimes pants under them. In early China, poor people made their clothes of hemp or ramie. Rich people wore silk. Chinese emperors are considered descended from Dragons and in days of old only emperors and the mothers of emperors could wear dragons on their clothing (gowns). Most people in China both men and women wore their hair long. People said that you got your hair from your parents and so it was disrespectful to cut it. During the Sui Dynasty, in the 500’s A.D., the emperor decided that all poor people had to wear blue or black clothes, and only rich people could wear colors. Chinese Parade Dragon Dragons are prominent figures in all Asian Cultures. In China, the benevolent dragon is a symbol for prosperity, good luck, wealth, wisdom and happiness. It is the sacred emblem of the Chinese Emperors, representing their might and wisdom. The Golden Parade Dragon is the highlight of Asian festivals and celebrations, believed to bring peace, prosperity and good luck to all. Chinatowns across America sparkle during Chinese New Year and the hallmark of the festivity is the New Year’s parade. The parade may include decorated floats; costumed Chinese folk legends such as the Monkey King; high school marching bands; and children dressed as the designated animal of the year. The finale of the parade is the star attraction, the golden parade dragon who twirls through the streets carried by performers


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that hold the dragon up on poles. Dragons vary in length, some reaching up to 100 meters long! It is believed that Dragon Dance performed on New Year's Day scares away the evil spirits and all the bad luck with them. The longer the Dragon, the more good luck it will bring! The authentic Golden Parade Dragon on display at the museum is 35 feet long and was handmade in Canton China. We also have a smaller 12 foot long dragon handmade by staff available for the students to use to experience a dragon dance.

Classroom Activities Locate China on the map, as well as the other Asian countries. If there are any Asian children in the class who celebrate traditional Asian customs and holidays, they can be invited to share their cultural heritage and customs with the rest of the class. It is said that Chinese dragons are drawn from a combination of nine very distinct entities. Its head is that of a camel, its eyes are a rabbit’s, its ears a cow’s, its horns are the antlers of a stag, its neck is a snake, its belly is that of a frog. The soles of its feet are a tiger’s, while its claws are an eagle’s and its scales are that of a carp. Also, its voice is said to be like the jingling of gongs or copper pans. Children might enjoy the challenge of drawing this dragon. Students can re-write the above characteristics of Chinese dragons, using different forms of similes. A Dragon Simile Poetry page is included in the appendix.

Chinese Astrological Zodiac There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac: Rat; Ox; Tiger; Rabbit; Dragon; Snake; Horse; Ram; Monkey; Rooster; Dog; and Pig. This year ushers in the year of the rabbit. Next year will be the year of the dragon. It is believed that the Year of the Dragon is especially lucky and those born in that year will be healthy, wealthy and wise. Are There Any Dragons Living Today? These animals bear the name dragon and can be found in various locations around the world.

• Bearded Dragon: Australia – Seven species live in arid and wooded areas throughout Australia. They have spiny scales arranged in rows and clusters. They can change color like a chameleon and this is most often observed during mating in response to challenges and also during climate or temperature change. They eat both plant and insects and can attain a length of 3 feet. Their average life span is 10 – 20 years.

• Chinese Water Dragon: Originated in China, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Green with stripes and a white or yellow under-body, they can grow to 3 feet in length. They use their tails for defense. Small round shiny spot between their eyes is known as “the third eye” that helps them to thermo regulate (control body temperature).


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• Komodo Dragon: Indonesia - The largest lizard on earth, the Komodo is a type of monitor lizard and is an omnivore (eats both plants and animals). This endangered species can grow to a length of ten feet and weigh more than 176 pounds. They have 60 teeth and will go through 4-5 sets of teeth in a lifetime. They can consume up to 80% of their body weight during one meal. Their mouths are filled with deadly bacteria that will eventually kill their intended prey after a bite.

• The Family Agamidae – or Dragon Lizards – (Draco Genus) are found in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and Indo-Australian islands. The Draco genus is the only family of lizard that has developed an actual gliding flight. The Dragon Lizards have elongated scales that are often presented as elaborate neck frills and spines on the tail. Unlike other lizards the Dragon Lizards are unable to move their tails independent of their bodies.

Classroom Activities The tour will not include a discussion of these animals, but they present an opportunity to merge the imaginary with the sciences in the classroom. Some of these are very dangerous, even to other large animals. Do you think these could have been the source of some dragon stories? Find pictures of current-day animals that are like dragons, and learn about them. In what ways does each one resemble a dragon? You can include the dragonfly and the snapdragon in your discussion.

Real Dragons of Yesterday

• Balaur Bondoc; “Stocky Dragon” (Romanian) is a fossil found near Sabes, Romania of a dinosaur from the Cretaceous period. It is similar to the veloceraptor and related but was somewhat smaller and stockier. (7 feet high approx) It also had 2 oversized claws for ripping and shredding prey while veloceraptor had only one. Balaur Bondoc was heavier and stronger than veloceraptor but not quite as big. It is named for a dragon in Romanian folklore.

• Another recent discovery (May 2003) was Dracorex Hogwartses – found in the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota. This dinosaur was previously unknown. The name means “Dragon King of Hogwarts” and the skeletal fossils looked very dragon like. It was classed as a 65 million year old pachycephalasaur. It had a long muzzle, long horns and flat forehead.

Discoveries such as these give credence to the old saying “the pattern over time is that experience becomes memory, memory becomes legend and legend becomes myth”. Cryptozoology Cryptozoology is the study of animals that are either unknown or have not yet been discovered and verified by science or scientific methodology. Some notable recorded incidents of so-called “sea serpents” and/or “sea dragons” include the following:


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• September 26, 1808 – The Stornsay Beast – Creature discovered washed up on one of the Oakney Islands of Scotland. The animal was serpentine, 55 feet long with a 15 foot neck, small head and a long mane running down its neck. It had 3 pairs of legs and each foot had 6 toes. It was given the name Halsydrus Pontoppedani (meaning water snake of the sea) with Halsydrus honoring an 18th century Norwegian bishop who collected sea serpent reports.

• Jan 13, 1852 – The whaling ship Monongahela killed a creature that was 103.7 feet long with an alligator-like head which contained 94 teeth approximately 3 inches long. The sailors hacked off its head after harpooning it and presented it for scientific analysis. No determination was ever made.

• June 12, 1922: 47 foot carcass of an animal killed by 2 whales was discovered by naturalists. The animal was snow white with a long trunk-like appendage where the head should be. Though reported to scientific channels the creature was on the beach for 10 days without a single scientist coming to examine it in Natal.

• January 31, 1930 off the Cape of Good Hope, Africa – The Danish research vessel “Dana” discovered an eel larva that measured 7 feet in length. The larva of the common eel is only 3 inches long and morphs into an eel (adult) that is only 4 feet long.

• Summer of 1942 a “sea serpent” measuring 28 feet long was found on the banks of the river Clyde in Scotland. It had a long neck, a small flat head, sharp muzzle and prominent brow ridge. It also had large pointed teeth were observed in the mouth and the creature possessed a rectangular tail. The carcass was destroyed because it was found in a military restricted area and before it could be subjected to a formal examination.

• April 25, 1977 the Japanese fishing vessel Zueyo Mare hauled aboard the decaying carcass of an unknown creature off the coast of Christchurch New Zealand. It was 33 feet long. The animal has not been properly identified to this day.

• June 12, 1983 - Gambia. Naturalist Owen Burnham discovered the carcass of a creature that measure 16 feet with long jaws containing 80 teeth with nostrils on the end of the upper jaw. It possessed only 2 flippers. Burnham said it resembled a short necked plesiosaur.

Some books published on the subject in recent times include:

The Great Sea Serpent, Luzac & Co. 1892, written by A.C. Oualeman In the Wake of the Sea Serpents, Bernard Heuvelmans, Hilt & Wang 1968 The Field Guide to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents, and Other Mystery Denezens of the Deep, by Loren Coleman and Patrick Huygke, published 2003

Beliefs vs. Science – Did Dragons really exist? Beliefs are as important to the life and history of human beings as science. Why would a belief be as important as a scientifically proven fact or theory? Because in many cases beliefs have lead to scientific discovery and understanding. A belief can often be as powerful in the lives of people and their culture even in the absence of scientific foundations to support that belief as a proven fact.


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Beliefs have very often been dismissed as superstitions, religious or sociological practices, and even fairytales but there is a danger in taking these understandings of often ancient origin as false merely because they have no acknowledged science to support them. Beliefs have had a profound effect on human development and have been responsible in many ways for governing the way people lived in collective societies. Farmers plant crops, doctors practice medicine and public officials govern on principals that had been in practice for many centuries before science was utilized to attest to their accuracy. If a “belief” is practiced and time honored for generations so as to affect the lives and the livelihood of a society or culture it becomes as “real” to those people affected as a scientific fact. It helps to mold and shape that society into what it is today in this “modern age.” Belief is an ingredient of progress. The belief in Dragons is a very good case in point. The existence of Dragons does not enjoy any serious credibility in the field of science such as the study of paleontology (Dinosaurs). However, Archeology, Anthropology and other such disciplines can attest to the almost universal worldwide influence that Dragons have had on the lives of human beings. Laws were enacted because of them, celebrations were held to honor them, crops were planted and economies planned in accordance to the belief that Dragons had influence in the lives of early mankind. Even star systems have been named for them and today some cultures seek medical relief from “cures” derived from “Dragon bones” found in Asian apothecaries. The dictionary defines a fact as something that exists or occurs that possess the quality of being actual. A fable is defined as a legendary story intended to teach a lesson – especially one in which animals speak and act like people. In this exhibit you will learn how the Dragon has spoken to people through the ages and has influenced their lives and histories. We have given you the examples of the influence Dragons had on several different societies and the impact that influence had. In the end with the fabled Dragon alongside the scientifically proven existence of his prehistoric relative the Dinosaur, you may well develop the curiosity to explore the possibilities to prove to yourself…was the Dragon real of just a fable? “Here be Dragons…Maybe”

Appendix The appendix contains the following resources: Creature Data Pages

• Deinonychus

• Dilophosaurus

• Dimetrodon

• Pteranodon

• Stegosaurus

• Tyrannosaurus Life In A Day Chart From Dinosaur to Dragon Diagram Dragons and Dinos Vocabulary Words Dragon Simile Poetry Dinosaur Word Search Dinosaur Crossword Dragon Crossword Washoe County Library Reading List

Dragons and Dinos Vocabulary Words

1. Ancient 2. Anthropology 3. Archeology 4. Aztecs 5. Benevolent 6. Carnivore 7. Cartography 8. Chivalry 9. Cryptozoology 10. Exploration 11. Extinct 12. Fossils 13. Herbivore

14. Inscriptions 15. Legendary 16. Malevolent 17. Mayans 18. Mesoamerica 19. Mesozoic Era 20. Monarch 21. Monarch 22. Mythology 23. Omnivore 24. Paleontology 25. Serpentine 26. Tutelage

Documents

Dragons and Dinosaurs Field Trip Guide