Guy Asks Why Dragons Have Eyes On The Sides Of Their Heads If They Are Predators, A Tumblr User Gives A Scientific Explanation
Once you filter out all of the fake news, annoying ads, and relentless trolls, the internet becomes a truly amazing place. The idea of it being the ultimate compendium of knowledge alone shows just how awesome it is. What makes it so darn special on a whole new level, though, is the fact that people gather here to ask the questions nobody ever really needed answers to, but now that someone did venture down that road, we suddenly require that knowledge.
Enter Tumblr user galahadwilder and his thought-provoking suggestion on dragon evolution. He works his way up from the assumption that dragons, serpentine legendary creatures that breathe fire, have eyes on the side of their heads, which is generally considered a feature of a prey species, not a predator. However, in reality (well, all right, in fantasy), dragons are nowhere near prey status because of their size and the fact that they are omnivorous, fire-breathing, gargantuan beasts. So, what gives?
Another Tumblr user by the nickname of pyrrhiccomedy responded to this inquiry by dropping some knowledge on the topic. Now, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill internet blabber, but rather a proper scientific response that we invite you to read below.
More info: galahadwilder.tumblr.com
A Tumblr user threw out an idea into the internet about dragons actually being prey and not predators
Image credits: Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark
Image credits: Daniel Schwen
His argument’s based on the idea that dragons have eyes on the side, a trait typical of most prey animals
Image credits: The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug
Image credits: galahadwilder
Galahadwilder based his ideas on the assumption that predators have eyes on the front, like wolves, so that they can target their prey and dash forward for the kill.
Likewise, prey have eyes on the side so that they can better spot danger coming in and always be alert with their wider optic angle.
So, since a dragon has its eyes on the sides, does this make it… the prey? After all, that is a prey characteristic, right? Well, not quite. And Tumblr user pyrrhiccomedy steps in to explain below.
Another Tumblr user stepped in to correct and elaborate on this assumption, and people loved it
He explained that eye positioning isn’t based on the animal’s role but rather on their nature and environment
Pyrrhiccomedy gives a detailed explanation of why a dragon’s eye placement is the way it is. First, apart from pesky knights in shining armor, dragons are most likely to be attacked by other dragons. Just like fish, dragons would need to worry more about being attacked from any direction when in flight.
Also, they don’t really need binocular vision as they don’t rely heavily on depth perception. Their primary attack is their fire breath, and, as such, this “flamethrower” isn’t really a weapon of accuracy. They don’t need precision and it doesn’t matter if it’s from 5 meters or 20 meters away that they char their foes.
After all, some predators benefit more from seeing a wide angle as opposed to a narrow angle of vision
Thus, because of their predators and fire breath, dragons benefit more from seeing like a fish rather than a wolf
Image credits: pyrrhiccomedy
So, there you have it, folks. You probably never needed to know this, but now you do, and you’re better for it. What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree or not? Let us know in the comments below!
Here’s what the internet had to say in response to this
I am genuinely going to use this example to introduce evolution and adaptations for my A level Biology students next term. Brilliant - go nerds!
Some dragons in How to Train Your Dragon have monocular vision and some have binocular.
I actually think this is a great example (and everyone get off your flipping high horses of which fiction is "more real" than other fiction, jeez). If there are overlaps of monocular and binocular vision it's an interesting case of reduced survival pressures such as inter-dragon aggression meaning different adaptations can evolve.
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Once again, people fall to the assumption "if it looks like a reptile, it must be one". Not all dragons are depicted with the eyes on the sides of their heads. Some even have human eyes (Eustace) and can shed tears. All evolutionary theories go out the window with dragons. Dare I say I'm the only one that believes dragons can talk and read?
Dragon lineage split off from the rest of animals long ago, as evinced by their six limbs.
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Dragons have eyes slightly to the side to avoid the glare from flaming cities, knights, etc. After all, those claws make putting on welding goggles a hassle and sunglasses are impractical.
Dragons in D&D all have binocular vision. It's been explicitly mentioned for pretty much the whole history of the game.
Just looking at the pictures in the 5e Monster Manual. The young dragons have eyes on the side of their head. The adults and ancients (mostly) towards the front. It goes with the theory that the small dragons behave like prey and the adults like predators.
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Also with forward-facing eyes dragons would probably suffer permanent lens damage from the infrared radiation of their fire breath, similar to glass blowers or furnace workers
Cryptobiology and xenobiology are such fascinating intersections of Art and Science. To apply all we have learn from our real world to the realms of our imagination, not to destroy them, but to make them stronger.
And I thought they would need monocular sight to protect their hoard.
Pretty much all encounters I've had with dragons in fiction or reality place the dragon in the role of prey. They usually sleep peacefully in their lair atop their treasure hoards when they are suddenly attacked by groups of adventurers seeking fame and fortune.
... if during childhood you are prey, and when grown up are a predator, you gotta get through childhood, first, so whatever helps you there will be the regular. Once you're big enough to avoid being prey, you can't just evolve any chosen properties you'd like ... Ok, Butt-head once planned to evolve a bigger wiener, but ... he's dragon's prey anyway...
Dragons also need to keep an eye on their hoard of treasure at all times. So, monocular vision is good for that.
How did the fire breathing evolve? How did the variants such as chlorine gas, ice, lightning or acid come about?
IF there is an evolutionary angle, hydrogen would be the best bet. Like an electric eel, electrolysis separates oxygen from hydrogen. If the dragon has a separate stomach for the hydrogen, it can be stored for both fire AND lifting, like a dirigible. Flame would be a ghostly pale blue upon exiting. A simple grinding of the sharp teeth could provide the spark for combustion. Source of fuel would simply be water. Much cleaner for the dragon and all involved.
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Okay if I ever have to write a scientific essay about an animal I'm using this and writing about the Majestic Dragon
The found fossil thing is the comment I find most interesting. I've assumed the finding of dinosaur bones led to the dragon story and the lucky guy who came to town with the head, was king.
F... the eyes. Don't you see the EARS? Both Oriental and Western dragons often have EXTERNAL ears. Don't you get it? They both usually have snake belly scutes. For Orientals and Wes terners to agree on something, this is pretty profound..It doesn't take a genius to see something in common. They are not that far apart.F the evolution, see what dragons have in common. F the wars and gold, dragons best power and magic are the love they hold over us.
I think that dragons have monocular vision because most of the dragon paintings show their profile (the side of them).
To the person on the original thread who said 'I always thought that dragons were inspired by dinosaur skeletons' I always thought that dragons came up because some peasant was like, 'what if lizards could fly? and breathe fire that's so cool' and viola dragons
Actually, good point. Similarly to how aquatic life doesn't really use binocular vision regardless of food chain hierarchy, in the air dragons would also have to watch out for other dragons, since an attack could come from literally any direction up there too.
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This is actually a really interesting train of thought. If dragons are prey...who is the predator?
What rot. Look at any viper, say a rattlesnake: Very clearly a predator, very clearly forward-facing eyes... Now look at a sideview and --- very clearly side-facing eyes. What is this magic?! Same holds for dragons; so it's posed as a false either-or situation. Vipers get preyed upon a lot by raptors (non-veloci! eagles, kites, etc!) so actually quite up-facing eyes; dragons are worried about hobbits stealing their treasure, hence the sideview.
If dragons are worried about their treasure being seized, the whole point about the orientation of their eyes is moot. To comprehend the value of gold is way beyond that of a normal beast. I just think the orientation of eyes is irrelevant when discussing the habits of an obviously sentient creature. No disrespect intended.
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That's pretty much the opposite of what this article was trying to convey. Congratulations.
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By your logic, fiction itself is just absurd. Grow up, learn to have fun. That stick up your a*s must be pretty painful.
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I am genuinely going to use this example to introduce evolution and adaptations for my A level Biology students next term. Brilliant - go nerds!
Some dragons in How to Train Your Dragon have monocular vision and some have binocular.
I actually think this is a great example (and everyone get off your flipping high horses of which fiction is "more real" than other fiction, jeez). If there are overlaps of monocular and binocular vision it's an interesting case of reduced survival pressures such as inter-dragon aggression meaning different adaptations can evolve.
Load More Replies... Once again, people fall to the assumption "if it looks like a reptile, it must be one". Not all dragons are depicted with the eyes on the sides of their heads. Some even have human eyes (Eustace) and can shed tears. All evolutionary theories go out the window with dragons. Dare I say I'm the only one that believes dragons can talk and read?
Dragon lineage split off from the rest of animals long ago, as evinced by their six limbs.
Load More Replies... Dragons have eyes slightly to the side to avoid the glare from flaming cities, knights, etc. After all, those claws make putting on welding goggles a hassle and sunglasses are impractical.
Dragons in D&D all have binocular vision. It's been explicitly mentioned for pretty much the whole history of the game.
Just looking at the pictures in the 5e Monster Manual. The young dragons have eyes on the side of their head. The adults and ancients (mostly) towards the front. It goes with the theory that the small dragons behave like prey and the adults like predators.
Load More Replies... Also with forward-facing eyes dragons would probably suffer permanent lens damage from the infrared radiation of their fire breath, similar to glass blowers or furnace workers
Cryptobiology and xenobiology are such fascinating intersections of Art and Science. To apply all we have learn from our real world to the realms of our imagination, not to destroy them, but to make them stronger.
And I thought they would need monocular sight to protect their hoard.
Pretty much all encounters I've had with dragons in fiction or reality place the dragon in the role of prey. They usually sleep peacefully in their lair atop their treasure hoards when they are suddenly attacked by groups of adventurers seeking fame and fortune.
... if during childhood you are prey, and when grown up are a predator, you gotta get through childhood, first, so whatever helps you there will be the regular. Once you're big enough to avoid being prey, you can't just evolve any chosen properties you'd like ... Ok, Butt-head once planned to evolve a bigger wiener, but ... he's dragon's prey anyway...
Dragons also need to keep an eye on their hoard of treasure at all times. So, monocular vision is good for that.
How did the fire breathing evolve? How did the variants such as chlorine gas, ice, lightning or acid come about?
IF there is an evolutionary angle, hydrogen would be the best bet. Like an electric eel, electrolysis separates oxygen from hydrogen. If the dragon has a separate stomach for the hydrogen, it can be stored for both fire AND lifting, like a dirigible. Flame would be a ghostly pale blue upon exiting. A simple grinding of the sharp teeth could provide the spark for combustion. Source of fuel would simply be water. Much cleaner for the dragon and all involved.
Load More Replies... Okay if I ever have to write a scientific essay about an animal I'm using this and writing about the Majestic Dragon
The found fossil thing is the comment I find most interesting. I've assumed the finding of dinosaur bones led to the dragon story and the lucky guy who came to town with the head, was king.
F... the eyes. Don't you see the EARS? Both Oriental and Western dragons often have EXTERNAL ears. Don't you get it? They both usually have snake belly scutes. For Orientals and Wes terners to agree on something, this is pretty profound..It doesn't take a genius to see something in common. They are not that far apart.F the evolution, see what dragons have in common. F the wars and gold, dragons best power and magic are the love they hold over us.
I think that dragons have monocular vision because most of the dragon paintings show their profile (the side of them).
To the person on the original thread who said 'I always thought that dragons were inspired by dinosaur skeletons' I always thought that dragons came up because some peasant was like, 'what if lizards could fly? and breathe fire that's so cool' and viola dragons
Actually, good point. Similarly to how aquatic life doesn't really use binocular vision regardless of food chain hierarchy, in the air dragons would also have to watch out for other dragons, since an attack could come from literally any direction up there too.
Load More Replies... This is actually a really interesting train of thought. If dragons are prey...who is the predator?
What rot. Look at any viper, say a rattlesnake: Very clearly a predator, very clearly forward-facing eyes... Now look at a sideview and --- very clearly side-facing eyes. What is this magic?! Same holds for dragons; so it's posed as a false either-or situation. Vipers get preyed upon a lot by raptors (non-veloci! eagles, kites, etc!) so actually quite up-facing eyes; dragons are worried about hobbits stealing their treasure, hence the sideview.
If dragons are worried about their treasure being seized, the whole point about the orientation of their eyes is moot. To comprehend the value of gold is way beyond that of a normal beast. I just think the orientation of eyes is irrelevant when discussing the habits of an obviously sentient creature. No disrespect intended.
Load More Replies... That's pretty much the opposite of what this article was trying to convey. Congratulations.
Load More Replies... By your logic, fiction itself is just absurd. Grow up, learn to have fun. That stick up your a*s must be pretty painful.
Load More Replies... 
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