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(1) It sounds farfetched that a dragon could reach an altitude of 49.000 feet (15.000 m) without suffering from hypoxia. In humans, symptoms of hypoxia may begin at as low as 5.000 feet (1.500 m) and collapse may occur at 17.000 feet (5.100 m). On the other hand, a dragon may have a significantly different metabolic rate or even magical abilities (a rather 'cheap' explanation) which enables them to reach such extreme heights without blacking out. In practice, regardless of maximum theoretical 'service ceiling', a dragon would most likely prefer to stay closer to the ground in order to breathe more easily.

(2) With real-world physics in mind, I strongly doubt that a grown dragon would have been able to get off the ground at all because of the lift-to-weight ratio, without using some kind of flight-magic (which some dragons do seem to possess). A dragon might have been able to stay afloat or glide after jumping off a cliff, but only for a brief amount of time. However, dragon-literature is at least aware of the problem, and it tries to provide reasonable explanations for dragonflight, based on the premise that a dragon could actually fly.

(3) Life expectancy must not be confused with life span. Life expectancy is related to the average age of an organism before it dies of disease, starvation or predators. Life span refers to the maximum age of an organism before it dies of natural causes. The aging-process of certain animals, such as crocodiles and sharks, is very slow or non-existent. MK97

(4) "A dragon never stops growing, so long as he has food and freedom" Arstan to Dany (A Storm of Swords - ASOIAF).

(5) The amount of firebreath is related to the amount and digestion of food in a dragon's stomach. The food is digested in two stomachs, and the leftover food is turned into a byproduct of hydrogen, which is stored in large glands for later use. Hydrogen is mixed with other chemicals (from the dragon's body) inside its lungs, and the mixture burns when it comes into contact with oxygen.

(6) Typical effective range: 650 feet (198 m). Dragon flight speed: 50+ feet/s (15 m/s). Infantry reloading time: 10 seconds. First volley at 650 feets distance to target, and second volley at 650-(10 * 50)= 150 feet (46 m), 10 seconds later.

(7) Hannibal, the brilliant Carthaginian general, often used war elephants (with mixed results) in battles not only to break enemy fronts, but also to scare enemy horses.

Dragon Physiology (Ext. link)

Physiology of a Dragon (Ext. link)

Advanced Dragon Description (Ext. link)

What Is A Dragon (Ext. link)

Alt.Fan.Dragons FAQ (Ext. link)

(MK97) Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st Century (1997), Dr. Michio Kaku.

(RC96) Dragonheart: Collector's Edition DVD, Universal (1999), Audio Commentary track by director Rob Cohen.

(RG94) The Great Battles of Antiquity (1994), Richard A. Gabriel & Donald W. Boose, Jr.

(RS85) Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering (1985),Commander Robert L. Shaw.

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