For children of the ' 70s and ' fourscore , befriending aplayful green dragonwas the ultimate childhood fantasy . After all , if meek niggling Pete could have his own dragon , Elliot , why could n’t we ? Well , Pete ’s Dragonis back on the big concealment and this metre we know better : Dragons do exist . Here are six places you could find them today .
1. KOMODO DRAGON // INDONESIA
jazz as the " reality ’s largest dragon , " Komodo dragons are the close we ’ll come to Pete ’s Dragon , Elliot . They can grow up to three meters retentive and weigh up to 150 Syrian pound . With razor - knifelike teeth and a deadly bite ( late studies have show that the " bacteria bite " isprobably a mythand they are just on a regular basis venomous),Komodo dragonskill pig , cervid , and water buffalo , so call back : This flying dragon is not your friend .
Indigenous to Indonesia , Komodo dragon can be found on the Komodo , Rintja , Padar , and Flores islands . But the dependable way to see a Komodo Dragon is from afar , be it on an IndonesianKomodo Dragon Safari Cruiseor at many zoological garden across the U.S. , like Seattle’sWoodland Park Zooor theSmithsonian ’s National Zooin Washington D.C. , where the first - ever Komodo eggs were incubate outside of Indonesia .
2. RUBY SEADRAGON // WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Last year , biologists from theScripps Institution of Oceanographyuncovered a new species of submerged dragon : the Ruby Seadragon . They found this ruby - red gem of a dragon accidentally while studying the similar Leafy and Weedy Seadragons .
Located in remote waters off the Western Australian coast , the Ruby Seadragons are still comparatively Modern to the fit , and incredibly problematic to spot . But , if you ’re ready to accept the challenge , find inspiration in Scripps biologist Greg Rouse ’s “ Hunt for the Ruby Sea Dragon ” Tumblr bill .
3. BEARDED DRAGON // CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
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The bearded dragon may not catch one’s breath fire , but its evolutionary traits are quite telling . The fundamental whiskery flying dragon ’s external colorssync with its circadian rhythm ; its dead body turns light as the daylight operate on and darker as dusk nears . Its spiky whiskers is also used as a defense mechanics , and becomes black during times of wooing and stress .
Central Australia is plate to the bewhiskered dragon , but they ’re also usable for purchase in most U.S. ducky stores . If you ’re not ready to take home a unexampled , scaly friend , you could also view — not buy — bearded flying lizard at major U.S. zoos like theLouisville ZooorPittsburgh Zoo .
4. DRAGON SNAKE // SOUTHEAST ASIA
The dragon snake lives under the radar ; scientists love picayune about it , other than that it burrows during the daytime and hunts frogs at nighttime . Its particular , carinate scales also lend to its strange , mythical visual aspect .
break their nocturnal riding habit , it ’s improbable you ’ll run into a dragon Snake River in the natural state . But do n’t countenance that tempt you to buy your own — tartar snakes do not live well in incarceration , so it ’s good to just let them be .
5. FLYING DRAGONS // SOUTHEAST ASIA
Bernard Dupont via Flickr//CC BY - SA 2.0
For some , dragons do n’t count unless they can aviate . get in the flying Draco of Southeast Asia . This 8 - in - long lizard species — known as theDraco volans — hasflaps of skin along its ribsthat turn into bright downcast or chickenhearted wings . While their wings do n’t have bird - comparable flight power , they help the lizard sailplaning from branch to branch to scat predators or garner food .
For a personal flying dragon encounter , head to Southeast Asia ’s dim forests where you’re able to catch these creatures hopping around . Or , if you ’re feel exceedingly adventurous ( and perhaps have a backyard aviary ) , you canadopt oneas a favourite .
6. TORPEDO DRAGONFISH // ATLANTIC OCEAN AND GULF OF MEXICO
This deep - sea fish is the exact inverse of a favorable dragon — the torpedo dragonfish is anabsolutely terrific speciesthat is like something out of a sci - fi movie . With a mouth full of fangs , a luminosity - producing " barbel " sequester to its head , and build - in bioluminescence to serve it attract fair game and better half , the dragonfish is a six - column inch reminder of the ocean ’s freakish mysteries .
This dragonfish hold out at astuteness of up to 5000 groundwork , in good order along the seabed . While scientists recognize little about the specie , we do know that — at least for the metre being — this one ’s not quick to trade friendly relationship bracelets with mankind .
