Comment on Dsangisaurus robustus by Hyrotrioskjan
The most possible species for the Beowulf story is Cryopterus, but I think it was more than one dragon they killed.
Another theory, which is very controversial, is that the dragon was one of the last Gelupterus specimens.
Another theory, which is very controversial, is that the dragon was one of the last Gelupterus specimens.
That would make sense, but I've got to admit, a relict Gelupterus would make a better story... [Sort of how the controversial theory that Grendel was a relict, giant Neanderthal makes him more human] What makes you think that there was more than one dragon?
Because the legend said that Beowulf starting his quest with many other warriors but only one survive. Dragons can be very agrassive and because of their venom their defensive is good but even a large Gelupterus wouldn't survive the attack of more than 5 men.
It's also notable that the Cryopterus population in Denmark is the smallest in europe but sub-fossil finds suggest that the population was once much bigger.
It's also notable that the Cryopterus population in Denmark is the smallest in europe but sub-fossil finds suggest that the population was once much bigger.
Oh, I see. So- once again by way of exaggeration -it went from being two or three large Gelupterus or several Cryopterus to one huge, devastating dragon?
Actually- just something of note here -in the story of Beowulf he brings along eleven warriors, of whom ten then flee when the dragon emerges and puts up a fight, leaving Wiglaf and Beowulf to fight it themselves. In that scenario, a lone, relict Gelupterus could still be the dragon. It is also interesting how much of an emphasis these early stories put on mentioning venom along with the fire- which adds credence to your method of explaining that part of the legend.