A Small Scientific Discussion on the Physicality of Dragons

I've always loved dragons. When I was little, I told everyone that my favorite animal was a dragon. I wanted a dragon as a pet. I read books about dragons. I collected dragon stuffed animals. I was very invested. Which is why I could not pass up the opportunity to meet with a professor as he explained what dragons would have to look like if they were real. I really have to thank Meghan T. though for setting up the meeting, because she told me about it first.

A red European style dragon, although not as bulky a body.

Dragons roam the skies of our imaginations and light the fires of our dreams. Most people can describe a dragon to you. Common physical features including scales, claws, four limbs, spiked tail, horns on the head, sharp teeth and slit pupils.

A Hungarian Horntail from Harry Potter.
A stuffed animal version courtesy of B&N.

Dragons appear in the mythology of many different cultures and there are variations. Wings could be included in the common physical features if you are familiar with European dragons, but Asian dragons are usually wingless. Serpent-like is generally a good term to describe dragons, but it depends on where you're from, because these beautiful/magical beasts are diverse.

Another dragon I drew with the intent to show off the long curling tail.
You'll notice that the head and neck are very serpent-like.

However, the size of dragons and their wingspans are not physically compatible. Anything that can fly must be able to get into the sky, carry their body weight, and land efficiently. Consider birds, their bones are hollow and their wings make up a large part of their bodies.

Dragons would need a very long wingspan, especially when they're depicted as such bulky creatures (like in Game of Thrones). The amount of strength to lift their bodies in the air would also need to be increased, leading to more muscle mass. Then they must be able to land. A professor at NC State explained that current dragons wouldn't be able to make the quick stops/landings that we've seen. The dragons would need miles of space and preparation to even begin landing. The speed would create an impact that might create a vast crater. 

Therefore, the best dragons would have flat heads (more aerodynamic), a large wingspan (within reason), hollow bones (for lighter weight), and possibly something called a chanticleer (structural support for the wings)? 

Real dragons would scientifically have the appearance of lizards with wings (roughly imagined with the above modifications). It would probably interfere with the image of power that dragons bring, because scales would not be possible (since their weight would interfere greatly with a dragon's ability to fly). Dragons might be fast, but their strength would also be lessened. They wouldn't be much larger than prehistoric pterodactyls, because those are some of the only known creatures (of that size) to have been able to fly.

And how to get around all of the scientific restrictions? Magic. If you're not relying on reality, then you can use magic to create the dragons of your dreams. 

Whichever draconic templates you choose, remember to never wake a sleeping dragon and always be polite!