Yoshi Cover Plates

Everyone loves Yoshi, some hate Yoshi (hard to believe, huh?), and everyone else does and thinks what they do about Yoshi. But who (if not what) is this Mario series phenomenon that is Yoshi?
Let's start with what we do know: that he's being debated in certain websites over as to whether he's a dino または a dragon (I vote for dragon, BTW), he comes in almost every existential color in the world, that despite being claimed as a guy, he can do what other male creatures CAN'T DO--Lay. EGGS. Oh, and did I mention his tongue can stretch out and grab things the way a frog's can? And he's Mario's loyal...

"So, let's a-have a quick rundown on what I taught you, Yoshi," Luigi said, his voice sounding somehow strained due to the straight hours of endless ghost-busting lecturing.
Yoshi grinned. "Okay, あなた ask, I'll answer."
"Gather up your ghost-busting weapon."
Yoshi took the twigs and leaves he'd gotten together to make the dud weapon. "Got it."
"Where's the flashlight?"
"Right where the nozzle is."
"A-what about the vacuum?"
"Let's see...Oh yeah, also where the nozzle is."
"How do あなた activate between the flashlight and the vacuum?"
"Easy—you flick the switch to the right"—Yoshi gestured to the side...