Dragon Cleaning

[Raiden]

This is a rather random topic, but one that came to my head and now won't leave me alone: How do dragons clean themselves? How would a dragon be cleaned? Do you have to make sure to get rid of old scales, scrub his hide.... how would dragon body hygiene work?

Just post your ideas and theories, the more "real" (aka with relation to real world reptiles) the better. Because I really don't know anything about reptile care.

[Acostor]

Maybe wash themselves in lakes, rivers, etc. and scrub their hide against trees and rocks.

[LokiDragon]

Depends on the dragon I suppose and the habitat...I would imagine they'd shed like regular reptiles, I've seen desert lizards roll in the sand to get their shedded skin off but others from more swampy terrain rub themselves against stones even coat themselves in mud then bask to dry it out which removes the dead skin.

[Feckless.]

From what I've studied from various dragon mythologies, they seem to have the ability to secrete a resin over their scales that forms a protective barrier for sand/debris/water. This resin is constantly being produced and wears away like fingernails on a human.

Also, overall health of the dragon can be determined from the consistency of the resin and how shiny, thick, or dense it is. It also adds a lush factor to the scales bringing out their colors and depth to the overall complexion.

[Raiden]

I like the resin one. Might be worth adapting... aaaaaanyway

Thanks for the quick answers! Of course it depends on the dragons habitat, but even there are different options.
Also I'd wonder how "shedding" works for a dragon. I always imagined it, rather than loosing whole "patches", or the entire skin like snakes do, that they just lose single scales, like a dog would loose fur when you brush him.
If however the dragon was "shedding", how would that look like?

[LokiDragon]

"Here I scratched this off my ass this morning I want you to have it!"

[Seledrex]

I'd jump into the water with one of my fellow dragon friends, and he would help scrub me nice and clean ^.=.^

[Aracth'nil]

I would think that scales would flake off over time or grind down and be constantly replaced by new scale matter. As for cleaning, probably just fly in heavyish rain or a non polluted lake.

[Fenveireth]

By pyrolysis
Because dragons are just that hot

[Koatliqua]

The dragon beauty spa, duh.

[Aracth'nil]

By pyrolysis
Because dragons are just that hot

That actually would work... except the odd stuck piece of bark or whatnot.

[Raiden]

By pyrolysis
Because dragons are just that hot

That actually would work... except the odd stuck piece of bark or whatnot.

Heh, just depends on the temperature. Hot enough and you'll incinerate everything. Chances are including yourself, but what do dragons got those scales for?

Thanks for the answers anyway!

Also Loki... now I'll never be able to look at this card the same again XD And a Dromoka dragon wouldn't be so... indecent... I think.