The water dragon, or Draco Splendens, is rarer than the common dragon. He can be found in both salt and fresh water, although he prefers lakes.

Magnificently colored, this beast is perfectly at home in water, moving through it with great agility and speed. Although his front legs end in sharp claws, his back legs have been transformed into fins, which hamper his movements on land. He has a tremendous lung capacity and can store oxygen in his stomach and transfer it to the lungs when he needs it, which enables him to remain underwater for hours on end.

Because he lives in water, this dragon has partially lost the ability to fly, and it makes only short gliding flights, although some of them can attain a reasonable air speed.

Water dragons have very specific eating habits, especially the adults, which is why the few remaining examples are in danger of extinction.  Apparently, the water dragon only eats virgins. If this requirement is not satisfied, as is often the case, legend has it that the animal suffers excruciating indigestion, which leaves him at death's door. The only cure considered effective consists of massive doses of virgin olive oil and a concoction made from orange blossom and magnolia petals.

The water dragon is physically much more beautiful and graceful than the earth dragon. He has a soft, tuneful voice and cherishes beauty above all else. He is an inspired poet and can spend hours contemplating his own reflection in the water, in a narcissistic pose, or go into ecstasies over a beautiful sunset. There are stories of dragons who have rejected the maiden they were about to eat because she was not beautiful, or not correctly attired, for they like their victim to be dressed in sumptuous silks with a circlet of fresh flowers in her hair. The water dragon is also an amorous creature, and there have been occasions when the maiden destined for his dinner has become the queen of his heart.

He is a brave adversary and if called upon to fight will defend himself ferociously and to the death. However, he is shy, and it is not possible to catch more than a glimpse of him. He always conducts himself with elegance, even when capturing food. One curious fact is that this delicate and beautiful creature cannot bear any kind of chains or bonds around his neck, for this is the method that was used in antiquity to capture him. It was sufficient to tie a noose around his neck and the dragon would allow himself to be led away without a struggle.