Fledgling dragon sighted in local backyard (helping with weed control)
This report was sent in by local gardeners and magic-observers, Ipo and Dave.
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Hi Gio, Today we noticed muddy footprints in our walkway and a pile of weeds at our doorstep. I think we scared something because the gate slammed shut when we went to investigate. Ipo and I then decided to hide out in the yard with a camera and noticed what appeared to be a baby dragon chomping on all of our weeds, which is awesome because we were getting so tired of weeding. Win-win! Cute little fella too but seemed kinda shy. What should we do? Is there such a thing as a Weed-eating dragon? Is there an official magical term for this creature? This family wants to know.
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Well, this is a spectacular post.
I sent this report straight to the Dragon Division here at My Town Is Magical, and they came back with the following:
To Gio, Ipo, Dave, and Citizens of Sonoma County -
We (The Dragonauts of the Dragon Division) have (with the help of the incredible first hand evidence and photographs of Ipo & Dave) positively identified this fledgling dragon.
Ipo and Dave - you have discovered a Spined Field Drake.
From the looks of it, we’d put your S.F.D. at about 2-3 months of age.
It, most likely, hatched somewhere during the cooler, wetter months, and - now that it is warmer, has been roaming more widely in search of food.
Lucky for you - it found your yard.
Field Drakes of all varieties (spined, three-horned, wingless, etc.) are vegetarian… for the most part.* They are commonly found in fields, meadows, and other large grassy areas across all kinds of terrain and elevation. The Spined Field Drake has a penchant for rough, tall grasses, and - thus - has been a boon and great help in your gardening.
The droppings of a Field Drake look very much like piles of weeds. … so, please use gloves when clearing your yard of debris.
The Spined Field Drake is quite shy, but - should you treat it with care and caution - ought to be able to live in wonderful cohabitation in your yard for at least another month. But, probably not after that.
By the time a S.F.D. is 4-6 months old, its appetite for vegetation increases exponentially, as it begins a growth spurt that will last the next several decades. If the drake is still in your yard at this point, you had better:
a.) Have a huge yard capable of providing 2-3 tons of raw vegetation daily
or…
b.) Prepare for the complete deforestation, devourment, and uprooting of your yard, your neighbors’ yards and, quite possibly, the yards of everyone within a 2-10 mile radius.
It is our recommendation that, should the Drake not leave of it's own accord (as it most likely will), you begin to spray your plants with a solution of lemonade mixed with iced tea (what some people refer to as an Arnold Palmer). Spined Field Drakes abhor the game of golf (as it usually creates inedible terrain out of great swaths of their natural, edible habitat), and this particular solution seems to repel them in most cases.
Please let us know how things fare with this astounding and marvelous creature as your new neighbor.
We will be happy to share any more information that you feel would be helpful.
*In very very very rare cases, Drakes have been known to eat just about anything. Even everything. So long as your local Drake is only a fledgling, you should be safe. However - keep an eye on smallish neighborhood pets… just to be on the safe side.