As a dragon/griffin hybrid, He has scaly wings and front half, and his bottom half, tail, and head are fuzzy. The only feathers on his body are the ring around his neck. He also gains some purple heart-shaped markings as he grows older.  
Motley grows up to be a laid-back griffagon, and can be described as very sweet and genuine. His dad Spike is an ambassador with the Dragon Lands and Princess Twilight’s right hand man. Gabby is kind of a jack of all trades, often offering her services to whoever needs them, but her main job is running an advice column in the Ponyville Press newspaper.
 
Motley and his mom & dad live with Twilight and her family in the crystal castle that overlooks Ponyville.