A wyvern is a type of winged reptilian beast similar to a dragon in appearance, though it only has two legs whereas dragons have four. They have appeared as symbols in English heraldry and have appeared frequently in modern times in a number of fantasy-based literary works and roleplay games such as Dungeons & Dragons.
Characteristics
Wyverns are not magically inclined the way dragons are, nor are they sentient. They are, however, highly ferocious, strong and exceptional hunters. While some sources state wyverns to be capable of breathing fire, this is not necessarily the case. However, wyverns are highly venomous and can deliver a deadly poison via their fangs or the barbs on the ends of their tails. It is possible for humanoids to domesticate wyverns, but usually this can only be accomplished with wyverns raised by humans from birth.
Trivia
Dragonlogy Wyvern
Wyverns are often seen as signs of evil or pestilence in European folklore.
Wyverns are called Wiverns in different folklores.
Some cryptozoologists have interpreted that Wyverns may be surviving descendants of pterosaurs, which went extinct 65 million years ago.
Wyverns are often used on European coats of arms.
In Dragonology, Wyverns are gentle, clumsy African dragons who eat elephants.
The wyvern was adopted as the symbol for the old English kingdom of Wessex.
In Welsh mythology, wyverns are enraged, like bulls, by the colour red. One hero threw a red rag into a river to distract the dragon, which he then shot with an arrow.
Just like all dragons, wyverns have 'pits' behind their legs and mouth, where the scales are thin and easily punctured. These are the most vulnerable points on the wyvern.
