Manaketes are a legendary humanoid species. They are dragons that use a humanoid form to conserve their strength and survive in a world which no longer permits their full existence. Although in some cultures in the series the Manakete race is regarded as legendary and worthy of worship, in others they have a long history of bitter conflict with humanity. In their humanoid forms, they appear remarkably similar to humans, aside from two recurring characteristics: sharp fangs, and pointed, elf-like ears. Their hair can be almost any color, but they tend to be of lighter shades. The humanoid body of a Manakete is much weaker than that of natural humans, making an exploitable weakness that humanity has exploited before. The use of dragonstonee improves a Manakete's power. Manaketes also have extraordinary lifespans, lasting over several millennia. This longevity comes at a price: due to this long life, they will lose many of their human friends due to their shorter lifespans. Additionally, Manaketes have an extremely low birth rate and infertility is a problem. However, the most severe problem the Manaketes constantly face is the threat of degradation. The longer they live in their dragon forms, the more likely they will go mad, thus some of the dragons have had to turn into Manaketes in order to avoid this. Their dragon forms can vary from pretty, rainbow-hued wyverns to black-and-white, four-legged dragons.