A question of time (and dragons)

[allmywires]

I'm planning out the timeline of my book(s...tentatively). It's all going super well (thank you for asking!) apart from one small conundrum -- the passing of time.

A key plot point revolves around the breeding of dragons. Dragons, in this case, which have been genetically modified -- of a sort -- and pumped with steroids to grow quickly. For the purposes of plot, I'd need these dragons to reach maturity at a breakneck speed - 1-2 years. (Otherwise I'd just be dragging the plot out over time for no reason).

Is this believable, within the realms of possibility? and even if not, shall I just go with it anyway, considering dragons are not in fact a real animal and this is fantasy?

(I should add - this hyper-fast growth does cause significant setbacks in the animals' health, which would shorten their lifespan and is also a factor in plot-happenings).

 

[goldhawk]

See The Secret of My Excess.

 

[allmywires]

See The Secret of My Excess.

What on EARTH did I just read...

 

[Loren]

Believable? Does not one read fantasy because it is supposed to be unbelievable?

 

[TitaniumTi]

Go for it.

Blue whale calves can grow at a rate of 113 kg per day. At 6 months old, they're ~16 metres long.
The Marine Mammal Center : Blue Whale

Large reptiles tend to grow much more slowly than mammals.

 

[LittleStar]

I'm reminded of the adaptation of Eragon (what a waste of actor's time) but didn't Saphira go for a first flight through the clouds as a baby, and land as a fully grown adult? I may have missed something though. And though it didn't really work in that instance they are still dragons, fantastical creatures. They could born fully grown for all we know, you have to make it believable.

So a combination of accelerated growth from the steroids and naturally reaching maturity quite quickly/growing large quickly (see blue whale above) then I don't see a problem, and that all seems quite plausable to me. Just make sure they eat a truck load and shed skins often (or whatever), maybe heightened aggression or something because of messed up sexual hormones and all that stuff?

Besides I'm sure there are loads of animals that are mature in two years, granted maybe not ones as large as dragons, but... How big are lion/tiger/bear (oh my) cubs at that age? How old was Simba when singing hakuna matata?? He looked about full grown, right?

 

[millymollymo]

Let me get this right. You world involves a thing that doesn't exist, (Dragon) using a science that while out there, isn't part of day to day stuff (Genetic engineering? - it is too)

You've already addressed the dangers of growing too fast...
Surely if you spend a little time (even if it doesn't go in the narrative) building reasons WHY that genetic meddling works that way it will deal with the issue of reader disbelief?

Perhaps explore the mental development side of things - you know, the body is fully grown but the brains, and experience? That's a different story.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I'd need these dragons to reach maturity at a breakneck speed - 1-2 years.

I'm minded to think on German Shepherd dogs (bear with me) which are usually fully grown by around 2 years, but are still in an adolescent phase. So your dragons could be near full size after 2 years, but it may add more to the story if you can have them retain youthful/playful characteristics at this young age. 2c.

 

[J D Foster]

Perhaps explore the mental development side of things - you know, the body is fully grown but the brains, and experience?

I love this advice.

It's totally plausible, I wouldn't bat an eyelid reading this fast growing dragon idea. Exploring the idea of them being immature mentally whilst physically big is a wonderful idea. It lends so much opportunity for mistakes, bad judgement and comedy.

 

[allmywires]

Believable? Does not one read fantasy because it is supposed to be unbelievable?

It's a shame I don't have time for sci-fi because I really am a stickler for things that are logical. And here I am, trying to make fire-breathing giant lizards logical...

Thanks everyone. I think I'll stick with the growth hormone, and work with the downsides of it (if its used too much, then the dragon gets hooked and will die if it ever stops receiving regular doses). Plus shortened lifespan, unpredictable behaviour etc...

 

[Inca_UK]

I'm minded to think on German Shepherd dogs (bear with me) which are usually fully grown by around 2 years, but are still in an adolescent phase. So your dragons could be near full size after 2 years, but it may add more to the story if you can have them retain youthful/playful characteristics at this young age. 2c.

I second this.

I think go for it. As long as you keep it consistent in your story, no one will bat an eyelid.

 

[Loren]

I'm minded to think on German Shepherd dogs (bear with me) which are usually fully grown by around 2 years, but are still in an adolescent phase. So your dragons could be near full size after 2 years, but it may add more to the story if you can have them retain youthful/playful characteristics at this young age. 2c.

I agree! I have a 10-year old GSD and she didn't grow up until at least 8. Actually, I don't think she ever grew up.

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

I don't think people get hooked physiologically on HGH, but I can totally see the down sides of using too much. Brittle / porous bones from having grown too fast. Restricted movements because bones have grown too long too fast and tendons haven't stretched enough with them. Various physiological issues. Heart and brain development issues.

But a more important question to me - are your dragons able to speak? Because if they are imagine a two year old in an adult body. Even for other animals maturity of the mind / social skills even coordination would be an issue.

Cheers, Greg.

 

[allmywires]

They can't speak, so I think that would be less of a focus than the physiological aspects of it...thanks again everyone!

 

[Mirannan]

Growth this fast would appear to be feasible. I've just looked up details of something I remembered from TV, and apparently apatosaurs grew from approx. 1 ton at age 5 to 25 tons at age 10. Although extinct, these are real-world creatures (and herbivorous ones that ate low-energy plants, at that) so growth such as you describe is plausible.