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The Painted Bogstalker is a small, basal dragon which is found in the northern regions. They superficially resemble large salamanders, though the long neck, short claws, and large, wing-like fans on either side of their body mark them as being Ptyocanthid dragons. They mainly feed on worms and other soft-bodied invertebrates, though they will also prey on the very amphibians they resemble. Unlike most modern dragons, they fully lack magic, something that would make them rather vulnerable to other dragons if they weren't unbelievably toxic. The bright, contrasting colors they are named for are not only to display their health to other mates, but also serve as a warning to their predators. Their skin secretions can kill a large dragon very easily, so the vast majority of species avoid them. Only one species of dragon is known to be able to resist their toxins, a basal Euwyvernid known as the Hellgouger (Pterosmilus infernalis), though some non-draconic species are known to prey on them as well. Their namesake fans are primarily used for thermoregulation, though they will also use them in their threat display in an attempt to appear larger. Typically, they prefer to flee, though they can unleash a powerful bite if cornered.
Drawn in 2025, sketch was finished in 2024 for Smaugust.
This dragon was inspired by crested newts and other salamanders. The binomial name means "painted fan-dragon".