Student Article
Could Fire-Breathing Animals Really Exist?
Dragon (noun): A mythical creature that can breathe fire.
Chemicals (noun): Substances used in science and industry.
Fireproof (adjective): Able to resist fire.
Evolve (verb): To change over time.
In the show House of the Dragon, there are giant, fire-breathing dragons. But could animals like this really exist? Scientists say it's possible!
Real creatures with fiery tricks
Some animals, like the bombardier beetle, can create hot, toxic liquid to defend themselves. The beetle mixes chemicals in its body to make this liquid. Scientists think a dragon could mix chemicals to create fire.
The science behind fire-breathing
One idea is that a dragon could make a substance called ether. Ether can catch fire easily. If a dragon squirts ether from its mouth, it could burst into flames. The dragon's skin would need to be fireproof to protect it.
But there are some big problems
There are some problems with this idea. The dragon would need special glands to make sure it doesn't poison itself. But scientists believe it's possible for animals to evolve to breathe fire.
Could a dragon also fly?
Dragons as big as those in House of the Dragon might not be able to fly. Big animals like swans and geese have trouble taking off from the ground. Some dinosaurs were too big to fly, too.
© Stephen Kelly / Our Media
Dragon (noun): A mythical creature that can breathe fire.
Chemicals (noun): Substances used in science and industry.
Fireproof (adjective): Able to resist fire.
Evolve (verb): To change over time.