Western dragons are split between three subspecies — the common European kind (which in artwork is shown as either the usual quadrupeds or as theropod-like bipeds), which live in mountain caves and hoard gold and gems; the smaller gargouilles, adapted for life as arboreal ambush predators but equally at home perching on high buildings; and the arctic dragons, always shown as quadrupeds, who migrate yearly between the North and South poles and breathe ice.

Shown Their Work: Dinosaurology makes absolutely sure not to have any of the adventurers name dinosaurs that were not discovered or named before 1907 (the year in which the book takes place). They don't always succeed though. Talk Like a Pirate: There's a little booklet in Pirateology that lists and defines common pirate lingo.

Tropes in the series include:

Minzesheimer, Bob (31 October 2008). "Kids' 'ology' titles go beyond reading". USA Today . Retrieved 25 November 2010.

Our Gnomes Are Weirder: Gnomes are depicted in Monsterology as short, but only around as short as extremely short humans, and physically human-like in other respects. They're nocturnal by nature, and keep bats and moths as pets. Feathered Serpent: The Mexican Amphithere in Dragonology. It's thought to be the basis for the deity Quetzalcoatl of Aztec Mythology. Meaningful Name: John Oro's last name is the Spanish and Italian word for "gold" — the same material he gets turned into at the end of Mythology. tactile samples of a "fairy flag" with one wish remaining and a phoenix feather to aid in flying charms Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2020-08-11 17:19:18 Associated-names Wood, A. J., 1960- Boxid IA1899413 Camera USB PTP Class Camera Collection_set printdisabled External-identifier

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The ultimate companion to the best-selling WIZARDOLOGY — an indispensable handbook for would-be wizards everywhere Roc Birds: Monsterology includes the roc in the chapter dedicated to flying beasts. It's a raptorial bird large enough to carry off an elephant in one talon, is native to the Arabian peninsula, and is noted to have once been confused with the wyvern, the largest dragon in the books. Endangered Species: Dragons, phoenixes especially (allegedly, the phoenix is so rare that only one is believed to still be alive and its location is a closely guarded secret). Walk the Plank: Lubber mentions it in Pirateology as a rumored method of execution—but goes on to list several punishments that are more common and more horrifying, such as being dragged along the ship’s hull with ropes. Giants are only mentioned in passing, being sapient beings and thus not really a subject for a zoology work, but the one shown resembles a well-dressed British gentleman in every respect other than being over twice the height of a lamppost. Giants are also described as aggressive, but easily outwitted.