The correct answer to the riddle, “What is a dragon’s favorite snack?” is FIRE KNIGHTS.
This answer is deciphered by solving a series of four genetics problems using Punnett squares. Each calculated percentage corresponds to a specific letter in the provided key, which then fills in the blanks to solve the riddle.
The first problem involves crossing two heterozygous blue dragons (Bb). A Punnett square for this cross shows that the potential offspring genotypes are BB, Bb, and bb. Since the blue allele (B) is dominant, both BB and Bb genotypes result in a blue phenotype. This accounts for three out of the four squares, meaning there is a 75 percent chance of having blue offspring. According to the key, 75 percent corresponds to the letter F. The remaining 25 percent of offspring will have the bb genotype, resulting in a green phenotype and giving us the letter I.
The second problem crosses a homozygous dominant long winged dragon (WW) with a homozygous recessive short winged dragon (ww). All offspring from this cross will have the genotype Ww. Because the long wing allele (W) is dominant, 100 percent of the offspring will have long wings, which gives us the letter R. Consequently, 0 percent will have short wings, providing the letter E.
For the third problem, a heterozygous fire breathing dragon (Ff) is crossed with a non fire breathing dragon (ff). The results show a 50 percent chance for fire breathing offspring (Ff) and a 50 percent chance for non fire breathing offspring (ff). These probabilities give us the letters K and N.
The final problem crosses two heterozygous spiky tailed dragons (Ss). This cross results in a 75 percent chance for spiky tailed offspring (SS and Ss) and a 25 percent chance for smooth tailed offspring (ss). These outcomes correspond to the letters G and H.
By placing these derived letters into the answer blanks, the phrase “FIRE KNIGHTS” is spelled out.
