Anamataboga (ahn-ah-maht-ah-boh-gah) Dragon
Anamataboga Dragons were actually three creatures in one. Their metamorphosis was one of the most truly heartbreaking stories the creatures of Fabella had to tell. Firstly, they were – in essence – born immortal. Anamatabogas could survive for hundreds, even thousands, of years. They could of course be killed, just like any other animal. However, the only way they could die naturally was through the process of mating. If an anamataboga dragon could not find a mate, they would go on living as a blind underwater serpent quite possibly till the end of the world. The most famous example of this was “The Loch Ness Monster.”
The anamataboga dragon had perhaps the strangest breeding ritual in all of Fabella. Procreation was the one and only thing that could naturally kill them. Unfortunately the beasts were unable to resist the charm of the opposite sex. Unable to reproduce until they become serpents, the male anamataboga died in the act of insemination, while the female was left to carry a baby that would kill her as it clawed out of the stomach upon birth:
Baby skimmers were the first stage of the anamataboga’s long cycle. Skimmers could not get more than a couple of feet off the ground upon birth, but gradually gained the strength to fly higher as they grew into flyers.
Flyers resembled the most traditional appearance of a dragon, they were able to breathe fire and could stay in this stage for a very long time. Eventually flyers began the metamorphosis into the final serpent stage.
As serpents, their ability to breathe fire disappeared along with their sight, wings, and sharp talons. Serpents swam around the sea until they found a good mate and began the cycle all over again.