Meet the Real-Life Dragons of Today

We're getting excited for the premiere of House of the Dragon, and if there's one thing we can't stop thinking about it's dragons. Dragons don't just exist in Westeros, here are seven real dragons that roam the earth today.

House of the Dragon premieres August 21st on HBO Max.

August 16, 2022

By: Tatum Lenberg

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Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragons are the largest lizards on earth, reaching up to 10 feet long and more than 300 pounds. The mothers of dragons can have virgin births, meaning they reproduce asexually by fertilizing their own eggs. Komodo mothers will guard their nest for six months to protect their future heirs. Once hatched, the juvenile komodos must fight for survival against cannibalism by adults. Those who survive will become apex predators.

Leafy Seadragon

Leafy seadragons, or Glauret's seadragon, are marine fish that grow up to about a foot long. This rare species may resemble a seahorse, but it is actually more closely related to pipefish. Leafy seadragons are native to the southern coast of Australia where they camouflage among the seagrass beds.

Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons live up to their name. Much like the dragons of Game of Thrones, bearded dragons are equipped with an armor of spiny scales. They are native to Australia but have become popular pets due to their gentle, inquisitive nature. Bearded dragons get their name from the "beard" of spikes under their chin which puffs up depending on their mood.

Blue Dragon Sea Slug

Blue dragon sea slugs might be small, but they are mighty. These stunning creatures are venomous with a painful sting that in rare instances can be life-threatening to humans. Blue dragons are only about an inch in size, but they devour creatures like the Portuguese man-of-war, storing their prey's stinging cells to use against predators later.

Flying Dragons

Flying dragons, or Draco lizards, are capable of "flying" through the sky like a mythical dragon. Scaly membranes between their forelegs and hindlegs, supported by an enlarged set of ribs, allow Dracos to glide up to 160 feet from tree to tree. There are more than 40 species of flying dragons, but all of them are small, with an average size of about 3 inches.

Chinese Water Dragon

Asian water dragons are bright green lizards found throughout southern Asia. This is another species that really lives up to its name, with high-horned scales running from its head to the tip of its tale. Asian water dragons are strong swimmers and adept climbers, with thick claws that end in needle-sharp points.

Dragon Millipede

Pink dragon millipedes, or Desmoxytes purpurosea, are vivid pink millipedes found in the caves of Thailand. Only three centimeters in length, these tiny creatures are both spiny and toxic. After rain showers, large numbers of dragon millipedes gather. They're easy to spot due to their shocking pink color which warns predators they are not to be eaten.