Swamp dragon
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Swamp dragons (draco vulgaris) are fictitious creatures from Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels.
Swamp dragons are small, fly badly and tend to explode, due to the generation of various flammable gasses in their internal plumbing. They are, in short, dragons as they would have to be in order to work in reality. For some reason they are popular pets, and there are a number of different breeds.
Far in the past, some of them learnt how to utilise magic to become the graceful creatures of legend (draco noblis). However this took more magic than the Discworld could really provide, and they disappeared into a pocket dimension. They can be released, briefly and singly, by a sufficient expenditure of magical force. (See The Colour of Magic and Guards! Guards!)
Swamp dragons are also related to Moon dragons (draco lunaris) and Star-voyaging dragons (draco stellaris nauticae) as seen in The Last Hero. (See Fauna of Discworld for more information on dragons.)
There is a small Fancy in Ankh-Morpork, whose enthusiasm equals that shown by the breeders of pigeons - although they face practical problems not normally encountered by pigeon breeders. Lady Sybil Ramkin and the Dowager Duchess of Quirm are among its keener members. Lady Ramkin has written "Diseases of the Dragon" to aid the less experienced breeder. A dragon refuge - the Sunshine Sanctuary for Sick Dragons - has her financial support. The Sanctuary is located at the Ramkin town house in Scoon Avenue, and can provide help and advice for those whose pets are unwell.
The breeding of swamp dragons can be an interesting and rewarding hobby, but those who wish to take it up are cautioned that, especially in the early years, much disappointment and financial loss can be avoided by buying only from reputable suppliers, and by taking expert advice as soon as possible when encountering a problem. Novices are further cautioned that, as with any animal for which the medical description of the consequences of indigestion include the term 'blast radius', they should ensure that they are adequately equipped and provisioned BEFORE acquiring a specimen.
Warning Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a swamp dragon be allowed free rein to ingest as much as it pleases of moon dragons' normal feed, as this is vastly more energizing than Ankh-Morpork's usual fare, and will be rather disastrous when they flame.