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In many cultures of the world there are myths and legends associated with a mysterious and mystical creature – a dragon. However in the representation of different peoples, dragons looked differently and endowed with perfect qualities: ranging from terrible, dangerous reptile and ending with a deity symbolizing luck and fertility. Despite such significant differences, there is that they are all the same united – the image of dragons was decommissioned from real creatures and phenomena. So: 1. Comets 
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For many peoples, dragons were depicted as winged snakes with long tails, they are also often considered precursors various disasters. This is understandable, given that for people living in ancient times, stripes in the sky left by the icy tail of a passing comet was associated with flight raging dragon. 2. Sea dragon
A photo open source Inhabiting a cool, rocky surface reef south and west australia, sea dragon is a close relative of the seahorse. Swimming he prefers measured wiggle, which imitates movement seaweed, among which he lives. Sea Dragon possesses transparent, leaf-shaped fins and appendages, and its the tubular mouth is perfectly suited for the absorption of small fish and shrimp. 3. Pterosaurus
A photo from open sources Of all the inhabitants who have ever lived on to our Earth, pterosaurs, perhaps more than others, resemble dragons from European legends. The largest representative of these of feathered reptiles, the wingspan reached 13 meters, so on today the pterosaur is considered the largest of the creatures that can fly in the world. 4. Megalania
A photo Megalania is considered the largest in the world from open sources lizard living in prehistoric times. She could weigh about tons, and growth of up to 30 meters in length. There was megalania on Australian desert during the last glacial period. Thanks to curved jagged teeth and large claws, this a lizard could easily kill prey in excess of its own the size is two times, and body weight – 10 times. 5. Dragons of the island Komodo
A photo from open sources Today, Indonesian dragons Komodo Islands are the largest lizards in the world. They can grow to 4 meters in length, have a well developed muscular tail, boasts a strong bite and a lightning fast reaction. They prefer to hunt for large prey, the observation of which lead from an ambush. 6. Flying Dragon
A photo from open sources Small lizards living in the Southeast Of Asia, got their name thanks to virtuoso skill with wing-like folds of skin glide between trees. They can grow to 17 cm, their wings have a bright color, formed from stripes and dots. Flying dragons feed mainly on ants and other small insects. 7. Mesh python 
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It is possible that one of the sources of inspiration in creating the image the dragon was a reticulated python, which is one of the largest snakes in the world. It can grow up to 12 meters and weigh about 400 kg. Some experts are sure that reticulated python with large desire can strangle even an elephant. 8. Bearded Agama
A photo from open sources This “dragon” hails from the forests of Australia. is he has many genital appendages that protrude from the skin around the head and give it a more threatening appearance. Bearded agama can not only change the color of his skin (from light to dark), but and independently regulate body temperature. 9. Carnivorous lizard
A photo from open sources This little lizard was found in the forests Northern Australia. Thanks to its unusual leather frill, surrounding the head and neck, which it can open like an umbrella when scared, the lizard got its name. 10. Chinese alligator 
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For the image of an Asian dragon, most likely, they were used habits and appearance of the alligator. It is no coincidence in Chinese mythology dragons were closely related to water: they lived in water, were guardians of the rain, punished people with floods. Chinese an alligator can grow up to two meters in length and is one of the rarest reptiles in the world.
Translation by Sergey Vasilenkov
Australia Water Dragons China Islands
