Firelizards, or dragonets, are basically small versions of dragons. When full-grown, depending upon the color just as with their larger cousins, they're of a fair size, yet small enough to perch comfortably on one's shoulder. A shoulder pad is highly recommended for anyone who has a firelizard that perches on their shoulder.

Firelizards are not quite as intelligent as their larger cousins. They are move simple minded and don't actually speak as dragons do as much as they simply convey emotions and images. With some experience and practice, that could be interpreted fairly well by those they've Impressed.

Much like dragons, firelizards Impress. This is a more simplistic Impression than with dragons, however. When a firelizard first Hatches, it will Impress to the first person or other dragonet it sees and is fed by. The path to a firelizard's heart is through it's stomach in the beginning. After Impression, though, the dragonet will remain more or less self-sufficient and reliant, meaning it doesn't require daily care and feedings as their larger cousins do. Unless something drastic happens, though, the firelizard will, of course, remain with whoever Impresses it. Though, as mentioned above, the connection between person and firelizard isn't as strong as between a dragon and his rider, there is still an empathic connection between the two. Also, as proven in the Pern novels, there really is no limit to how many of the dragonets an individual can Impress. Taking care of and keeping track of a fair of firelizards would likely be quite the daunting task though.

The eggs of an individual's firelizard, if found, are often given out as gifts or offerings to friends or those they simply wish to stay on good terms with. They're also traded for. Eggs don't need to remain in the clutch or the original nest, but as long as they're kept warm, they will Hatch without a problem. A bowl of raw meat is often kept on hand for when the egg(s) Hatch to feed to the firelizard, as dragonets have a voracious appetite when they first Hatch, much as dragons do. If there is more than one egg to Hatch (and usually when still out in the wild), and each of the draongets aren't fed sufficiently, the firelizards will resort to cannibalism.

Just as their larger cousins can, firelizards can go between. That combined with their size makes them great messengers, though they can be distracted quite easily by shiny things or something that looks interesting.

Firelizards live off small fish, meat, and insects just like any other predator of that size.

There are several colors of firelizards and, as with the dragons, color is indicative of both size and gender. As would likely be the case with female green dragons were they not sterilized by chewing firestone, green firelizards have poor parental skills. Once a clutch of eggs is laid, the female abandons them, leaving any lucky enough to survive predators to do as they will. Queens, however, remain with their clutch until they hatch, guarding the eggs until then.

Though this likely wouldn't be considered pertinent information, it will be added anyway, just in case. Firelizards can predict births (and Hatchings), both human and animal. Fairs of the dragonets will congregate, humming a welcome to the new life. Dragons do much the same, though only for Hatchings. Questions or comments? Contact Lyana via MudMail on Karchan or email her at [email protected] Pern and all related names and characters are � and � Anne McCaffrey and DelRey Publishing Hosted by www.Geocities.ws