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Originally Posted by Eönwë
Obviously, this is only one example, and Tolkien tells us that they have four legs, which leads me to think that they are maybe more crocodillian. Because I can't imagine a dragon walking like a lizard, I'd say that their legs would be similar to a crocodile's, where they are only "half-raised", not fully like mammals or dinosaurs, but not all the way down like most lizards. I think that they waould walk a bit like this, and would look more like this, when resting, though I imagine to have a larger, rounder underside than crocodiles and more like some early dinosaurs or pre-dinosaur reptiles.
If we're going for realistic examples, perhaps they looked a bit like Dimetrodon's without the sail, or maybe more like a Proterogyrinus (the reptile in the picture). Or maybe more therapsid (mammal-like reptiles) such as Estemmenosuchus or Bauria. Or perhaps, if they're skinnier like worms, A Doswellia would be more appropriate. Though I would personally go for a cross between a Moschops and a Doswellia.
Ok, I've probably bored you all with knowledge of early reptiles, but I was just trying to show examples of creatures from the animal world (however extinct), which I think are similar to the Worms of Middle Earth. Obviously Tolkien did try to make his animals really work, so that's why I was taking the scientific approach here as well. |
Cheers, those are some nice reptiles there, and at least I am not bored, quite the opposite. However, as I said, I don't believe Glaurung walked at all, so none of them quite resemble how I imagine the Dragon. Now, after browsing my books, I'm quite certain Glaurung crawled with his belly on the ground like a huge snake. Possibly (now I'm speculating) he could surprise his enemies by suddenly lifting his heavy body above ground and rushing towards them in a fit of rage, running much like a lizard. This would be extremely wearisome though, and not something he would try unless pushed.
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Originally Posted by The Silm
In his rage Glaurung turned and struck down Azaghal ... and crawled over him ...
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Why crawl over somebody, if you can trample him?
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Originally Posted by CoH
...suddenly Glaurung came forth with a great blast of fire, and crawled down into the stream...
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A bit later:
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Originally Posted by CoH
But he was slow now and stealthy; for the fires in him were burned low; great power had gone out of him, and he would rest and sleep in the dark. Thus he writhed through the water and slunk up to the doors like a huge snake, ashen-grey, sliming the ground with his belly.
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Originally Posted by CoH
But Túrin drawing back his sword stabbed at his eyes; and Glaurung coiling back swiftly towered above him ...
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If Glaurung had a shortish neck, like all the creatures you've provided pictures of, this move would've been hard to pull off. Well, that Doswellia fella perhaps could do something like that.
And how big was Glaurung, you think?
The only real clue here, as far as I'm aware, is his his attempted crossing of Cabed-en-Aras, where Túrin slays him. Across it a deer once jumped, it is said. Now, how far can a deer leap? 10 metres perhaps? Now imagine a lithe but very heavy Glaurung attempting to hurl his fore-body across a 10 metre gorge. How big does he need to be in order to pull that off? I suppose the distance between his hind and fore legs would be longer that the width of the gorge, or Túrin would not have gotten the chance to stab at his vitals. However, if he was snakelike, he wouldn't need to hurl himself across so recklessly if he were that long. Hm, tricky this...
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Originally Posted by Rumil
I'd go for Glauring looking much like Smaug, except bigger, badder and wingless.
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I pretty much agree to that. Tolkien isn't the greatest illustrator the world has known though, and it is hard to picture that creature actually flying.