Sea serpent
Sea serpents, also popularly known as just serpents, are a clade of several species of reptiles related to true dragons. Unlike true dragons, they are not intelligent (at least, not more so than a clever animal), but they share various other traits with their fellow dragons, even if not the name.
Like true dragons, sea serpents can live for a century or more, roaming the oceans of Itorah. Unlike dragons, sea serpents don't stop growing after a few years, but grow steadily longer as time goes on. As a result, ancient sea serpents can grow to massive sizes, especially among the bigger species. They are the largest animals on Itorah if measured by length, and very likely in weight too, as they have no need for flight, unlike true dragons, and thus don't need to keep their weight low.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The clade of sea serpents counts several species, which vary somewhat in appearance and abilities, and thus in anatomy. As a whole, however, they are typically serpentine, with long bodies with gradual increases or decreases in width. Like all dragons, they count three pairs of limbs, but in sea serpents all six take on the shape of fins. Among some species, especially the smaller ones found near coasts (where they may sometimes by caught on land by retreating tides), some fins may bear more resemblance to the clawed feet of ordinary dragons. Even sea serpents with fully developed fins, with little ability to go on land, may still sport claws on their fins, which are sometimes used to groom others, or to scratch themselves.
As sea serpents hunt a great variety of prey, both among species and as they age, hunting methods vary greatly. And, because of this, so do the adaptations needed for such things. Some serpents prefer to a quick strike from an ambush, whereas others outmaneuver prey. Some hunt in the dark, of the deep or of the night, and thus require better night vision or other senses to make up for it. Other sea serpents instead use venom, injected into prey so it will be unable to fight back or flee.
Genetics and Reproduction
Unlike true dragons, sea serpents are ovoviviparious: they produce eggs, but keep them inside their bodies until the eggs are almost ready to hatch, releasing the soft-shelled eggs just before the young emerge. Outside of this retaining behavior sea serpents display no childcare, however, and the hatched young are self-sufficient from the moment they emerge from their eggs.
Growth Rate & Stages
Young sea serpents grow steadily over the course of their lives, which can be a century or longer. Few sea serpents live to become adults, however, frequently preyed upon while they are still small enough for such things to work. Even when grown, small serpents may still find themselves prey to larger ones, sometimes even of the same species.
Once they have reached an adult age, which varies per species, their growth slows, but never fully stops. Sea serpents continue to grow throughout the entire course of their life, and thus grow increasingly unlikely to be preyed upon, letting them live even longer and grow even larger.
Ecology and Habitats
Sea serpents can be found in almost all major bodies of water on Itorah, though almost all species are saltwater-adapted and thus remain in seas or oceans. They are a global phenomenon, and fill the role of apex predator in all Itoran oceans. Smaller sea serpents are sometimes eaten by other predators, but larger species, especially when fully grown, have nothing to fear but one another.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Variable, but never fully intelligent, unlike true dragons. Some sea serpents are smarter than others, but they are no more than clever animals. Some are smarter to use tactics while hunting, to maintain social contact with fellow serpents, but none use tools, or reach similar levels of intelligence.
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