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Description
Hideous Zippleback
Attribute: Earth
Size: 34 ft
Weight: 2400 pounds
Speed: 20 mph (land), 50 mph (air)
Shot Limit: 2 to 3 shots (Smoke Bomb)
Class: Fear class, Neodraconid
Danger Level: High - Beware!

Colors: Green, sometimes red-orange
Armed with: Two heads with sharp teeth, claws on wings and limbs, blades on tips of two-pronged tail, and exhalation of flammable gas - 18
Defences: Tough skin and nodules on back, but not much else - 9
Radar: None - 0
Poison: Teeth inject venom for predigestion - 7
Hunting ability: Prefers ambush attacks, crushing its victims, and suffocation with poisonous gas - 8
Flight: - 8
Speed: Slow and ponderous, at least on land - 5
Fear and Fight Factor: Two heads means twice the danger - 9

In the case of the Hideous Zippleback, two heads really are better than one, so to speak. It is the longest of the Archetype Dragons, at 34 feet long, and its bright green color and double-headed physiology add to its unique appearance, and it is popular among sibling teams due to the theme of synchronized harmony amidst its dual personality.

Uniquely among other dragons, the Zippleback's twin heads are part of the same organism. Aside from this difference, however, this dragon has much in common with other Neodraconids such as the Terrible Terror, the Skulldren, the Skullion, and to a certain extent the Seadragonus; the widely accepted theory is that it evolved from a single-headed ancestor that, through some freak accident of nature, developed two heads, a mutation that can also occur in other reptiles such as snakes or turtles. However, instead of being detrimental to its well-being, this development proved beneficial, since being small and vulnerable at the time, it found itself with greater sensory capabilities and better hunting skills. Over time, this benefit was passed down through the generations, and once free of predation the dragon grew larger as well, resulting in the enormous, two-headed version of today.
Although the Zippleback's heads each have separate necks and brains, the dragon still has a single heart, stomach, lungs, and other vital organs, due to having a single body. The two heads tend to have separate thoughts and personalities, and frequently bicker over various priorities, mostly food. These dragons are therefore generally solitary and nocturnal, only socializing during the breeding season. The benefits outweight the risks, however, since while one head feeds the single stomach, the other can keep watch for rival species or enemies. Its necks are as flexible as snakes' bodies, allowing it to coil a head a full 360 degrees; therefore, the two trusted blind spots are directly behind each head, although they are still very difficult to access due to the other head being capable of watching this spot anyway. The two heads can also strategize better than a single head, which makes for the overall personality of distinct halves creating a sly and sinister whole.

Although this dragon spends most of its time on the ground, it is perfectly capable of flight, despite the fact that its 40-ft wingspan is relatively small compared to its body size. The secret to its flying abilities is its use of a special gas that allows it to literally float in the air. The gas is created in its stomach via digestion, and in its inactive state is lighter than air; it is stored in a special bladder within the dragon's chest, which when completely filled provides enough buoyancy to counterbalance its size and weight. In addition, its wings are broad with widely splayed struts, providing additional lift with their large surface area. This combination ensures that the dragon can stay in the air, despite its large body size, and makes it a very efficient hunter on either field.

Instead of breathing fire, the Zippleback creates explosions. Its breath weapon, known as the Smoke Bomb, allows it to devestate multiple opponents at once. One head, usually the right head, breathes a poisonous and flammable gas, which alone can smoke out large areas; however, it is the other head that lights it. When the dragon uses its breath weapon, the gas in the chest bladder is channeled into the mouth of the first head, where a special gland in the base of the jaw secretes a second chemical that primes the gas, causing it to become denser than air and form a deadly flammable mist. The second head does not have a priming gland, but it does have a set of sparking teeth, convergently similar to the Deadly Nadder. By clicking these teeth together, the dragon produces the spark that ignites the gas. If either of the heads is removed, the dragon will be unable to use this weapon, making it more vulnerable to head-on attack.

The Zippleback's large size and formidable offensive capabilities make it a favorite among trainers who rely exclusively on attack; however, it is low on defense and speed, and thus rather awkward in agility-based combat. But its sly and sinister personality, as well as its overwhelming offensive weaponry, is usually more than enough to make up for it.

-The Dragon Manual, Volume II: Fear Class

Since I covered dragons not seen in the movie, I will cover the ones seen in the movie now, which I call the "Archetype Dragons." These are the most common dragons, and the basic starting choices for dragon training.

I'm not proud of the Zippleback, especially the color scheme since the spots should be more brownish, but it still looks rather decent. I have a Zippleback plushie that I was going to use as reference but it doesn't do it any justice so I had to use the official art, and even then it didn't come out the way I wanted it. Still, to me it looks cool, which I suppose is what matters most in the end.

The Dragon Manual and How to Train Your Dragon are copyright to Dreamworks and Cressida Crowell. But the Nadder concept art is mine.

-Fawkes

Description
Hideous Zippleback
Attribute: Earth
Size: 34 ft
Weight: 2400 pounds
Speed: 20 mph (land), 50 mph (air)
Shot Limit: 2 to 3 shots (Smoke Bomb)
Class: Fear class, Neodraconid
Danger Level: High - Beware!

Colors: Green, sometimes red-orange
Armed with: Two heads with sharp teeth, claws on wings and limbs, blades on tips of two-pronged tail, and exhalation of flammable gas - 18
Defences: Tough skin and nodules on back, but not much else - 9
Radar: None - 0
Poison: Teeth inject venom for predigestion - 7
Hunting ability: Prefers ambush attacks, crushing its victims, and suffocation with poisonous gas - 8
Flight: - 8
Speed: Slow and ponderous, at least on land - 5
Fear and Fight Factor: Two heads means twice the danger - 9

In the case of the Hideous Zippleback, two heads really are better than one, so to speak. It is the longest of the Archetype Dragons, at 34 feet long, and its bright green color and double-headed physiology add to its unique appearance, and it is popular among sibling teams due to the theme of synchronized harmony amidst its dual personality.

Uniquely among other dragons, the Zippleback's twin heads are part of the same organism. Aside from this difference, however, this dragon has much in common with other Neodraconids such as the Terrible Terror, the Skulldren, the Skullion, and to a certain extent the Seadragonus; the widely accepted theory is that it evolved from a single-headed ancestor that, through some freak accident of nature, developed two heads, a mutation that can also occur in other reptiles such as snakes or turtles. However, instead of being detrimental to its well-being, this development proved beneficial, since being small and vulnerable at the time, it found itself with greater sensory capabilities and better hunting skills. Over time, this benefit was passed down through the generations, and once free of predation the dragon grew larger as well, resulting in the enormous, two-headed version of today.
Although the Zippleback's heads each have separate necks and brains, the dragon still has a single heart, stomach, lungs, and other vital organs, due to having a single body. The two heads tend to have separate thoughts and personalities, and frequently bicker over various priorities, mostly food. These dragons are therefore generally solitary and nocturnal, only socializing during the breeding season. The benefits outweight the risks, however, since while one head feeds the single stomach, the other can keep watch for rival species or enemies. Its necks are as flexible as snakes' bodies, allowing it to coil a head a full 360 degrees; therefore, the two trusted blind spots are directly behind each head, although they are still very difficult to access due to the other head being capable of watching this spot anyway. The two heads can also strategize better than a single head, which makes for the overall personality of distinct halves creating a sly and sinister whole.

Although this dragon spends most of its time on the ground, it is perfectly capable of flight, despite the fact that its 40-ft wingspan is relatively small compared to its body size. The secret to its flying abilities is its use of a special gas that allows it to literally float in the air. The gas is created in its stomach via digestion, and in its inactive state is lighter than air; it is stored in a special bladder within the dragon's chest, which when completely filled provides enough buoyancy to counterbalance its size and weight. In addition, its wings are broad with widely splayed struts, providing additional lift with their large surface area. This combination ensures that the dragon can stay in the air, despite its large body size, and makes it a very efficient hunter on either field.

Instead of breathing fire, the Zippleback creates explosions. Its breath weapon, known as the Smoke Bomb, allows it to devestate multiple opponents at once. One head, usually the right head, breathes a poisonous and flammable gas, which alone can smoke out large areas; however, it is the other head that lights it. When the dragon uses its breath weapon, the gas in the chest bladder is channeled into the mouth of the first head, where a special gland in the base of the jaw secretes a second chemical that primes the gas, causing it to become denser than air and form a deadly flammable mist. The second head does not have a priming gland, but it does have a set of sparking teeth, convergently similar to the Deadly Nadder. By clicking these teeth together, the dragon produces the spark that ignites the gas. If either of the heads is removed, the dragon will be unable to use this weapon, making it more vulnerable to head-on attack.

The Zippleback's large size and formidable offensive capabilities make it a favorite among trainers who rely exclusively on attack; however, it is low on defense and speed, and thus rather awkward in agility-based combat. But its sly and sinister personality, as well as its overwhelming offensive weaponry, is usually more than enough to make up for it.

-The Dragon Manual, Volume II: Fear Class

Since I covered dragons not seen in the movie, I will cover the ones seen in the movie now, which I call the "Archetype Dragons." These are the most common dragons, and the basic starting choices for dragon training.

I'm not proud of the Zippleback, especially the color scheme since the spots should be more brownish, but it still looks rather decent. I have a Zippleback plushie that I was going to use as reference but it doesn't do it any justice so I had to use the official art, and even then it didn't come out the way I wanted it. Still, to me it looks cool, which I suppose is what matters most in the end.

The Dragon Manual and How to Train Your Dragon are copyright to Dreamworks and Cressida Crowell. But the Nadder concept art is mine.

-Fawkes