How could dragons use their forepaws as hands?

So, I want my dragon to be able to do stuff like open doors and whatnot. Using the wings is kind of awkward and takes up considerable space, and because of the coronavirus, the mouth is also a no-no; plus it wouldn't be able to do fine manipulation. So, I decided to go with the forelegs.

My Dragons are the classic hexapodal (six-limbed) creatures. The wings are placed behind the forelegs far enough to provide the required space for the full range of motion.

Normally use their forelegs for locomotion, holding onto things (like large prey), and not much else. Dragon legs just aren't really cut for combat, you know. Sure, they can still hurt you, especially when they "lean into" an attack, putting some of their body weight behind it.

Due to the thing about mass fraction (25% of the total body mass are the flight muscles) and because they're dead weight while flying, the forelimbs have to be light.

Given that, how would a foreleg and the forepaw have to work like to be able to do fine manipulation? Keep in mind, dragons are built for primarily quadrupedal locomotion, their wings (and thus, flight) are used only in combat, long-distance travel, and surveying (leisure flights count as surveying).

Note: Though I implied, dragons have paws; I never said they were digitigrade.

posted about 4 years ago

Mephistopheles‭

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