Water Basylysk (bæsɪlɪsk)
“Basylysk” is a word that strikes fear into the hearts of men. Most people know it as a large reptile from Shlekahul, one that is king among them and can petrify foes with its gaze alone. The natives of Shlekahul, however, know this is merely a misinterpretation of stories told by adventurers to the island: that is, it was so terrifying that explorers couldn’t move from fear.
What’s more, “Basylysk” is not a single species, but rather two animals that, according to Sesali mythology, are descendants of the same primordial being. While these creatures may not be mythical per se, both species are still very important to the people of Shlekahul and hold a significant place in their culture. The water basylysk is a humongous snake, the largest of which reach 60 feet long, though rumors of individuals that can reach hundreds of feet in the depths circulate unsubstantiated throughout the island.
What’s more, “Basylysk” is not a single species, but rather two animals that, according to Sesali mythology, are descendants of the same primordial being. While these creatures may not be mythical per se, both species are still very important to the people of Shlekahul and hold a significant place in their culture. The water basylysk is a humongous snake, the largest of which reach 60 feet long, though rumors of individuals that can reach hundreds of feet in the depths circulate unsubstantiated throughout the island.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Water basylysks are massive boas with powerful body racked with muscles. Their long, legless bodies are lined with ribs all along the body and the middle of the body is where the muscles are at its thickest, from the head all the way down to the tail. The only remanent of the legs on this snake are small spurs where the pelvis used to be. Size excluded; it would appear as a relatively normal boa were it not for a single diagnostic trait: the very tip of the tail has a cartilaginous fin similar to the skin on the tail of a salamander. The unique traits of the head consist of eyes high on the skull and the teeth loosely connected to the jaw.
Biological Traits
Species
While the stalkers have only a single species recognized by most naturalists, water basylysks have at least two species or subspecies defined by their different habitats and appearances. These varieties are recognized by natives of Shlekahul as well, with their insights and stories being a tremendous resource to those outside who seek to learn about the island.The Greater Water Basylysk is so named because it is the larger of the two species, usually the one that is recognized when people think of basylysks partially because they are the most commonly encountered. They are the bulkiest of the two as well, with massive muscles lining their bodies and dark, mottled colors defining their scales.
The Lesser Water Basylysk is not as commonly encountered by people and smaller of the two, but it is nonetheless striking. They are defined by their brightly colored, intricately patterned scales and slinky, eel-like bodies, being significantly skinnier than the greater water basylysks
Sexual Dimorphism
In both the greater and lesser basylysks, females are larger than males by a factor of four. Larger females tend to produce more offspring that are larger than those produced by smaller females. Despite the size difference, larger males are also preferred, as they tend to have an advantage over their rivals as well as producing more sperm than smaller females. However, males of similar size to females may be confused for such and this may impair with their ability to mate, so males that are large enough to compete but small enough to not be confused for females are optimal.Ecology and Habitats
Water basylysks are so named because of their habitat preferences: they prefer aquatic habitats, with deep waters that they can easily submerge themselves completely in. Both species spend almost their entire lives in the water, being extremely cumbersome on land-especially greater basylysks-but are sleek, masters of stealth in the water. The largest individuals even run the risk of crushing their own organs under the weight of their bodies if they remain on land for too long.
The greater basylysk is found in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams, primarily in tropical rainforests but also in estuaries on the coasts. They are among the largest predators in this ecosystem and slither throughout the winding rivers and roots of the trees growing on the banks, their movements alone shaping the growth of plant life and stirring up mud and a host of small animals lying in the muck. Tiny fish and reptiles of all sorts follow in their wake to feed on this bounty, as well as the plants and algae kicked up from the upturned substrate. This entourage also feeds on the scraps and waste left behind by the serpent, be they scales or even feces. While they are easily capable of crushing a small boat with their muscular bodies, greater basylysks prefer the gigantic fish that swim the rivers and estuaries of Shlekahul's jungles and coasts: some of these species are even as large as a wagon and the largest species get even bigger. These giant fish are the preferred prey of greater basylysks, with prey as small as arapaima also being taken though this appears to be the lower limit on the fish they prefer to take. Naturally, larger individuals tend to prefer larger fish, with the most dominant and largest basylysks constricting and swallowing fish as heavy as four cattle. Even sharks are on the menu for estuarine females. While these fish are the optimal prey of choice, greater basylysks are also known to prey on crocodiles and terrestrial prey from time to time, although these are usually individuals under stress. Unsurprisingly, greater basylysk females are among the dominant predators in the ecosystems they inhabit and even males generally have few predators. The only animal that can compete with the basylysk and regularly preys on males is the Vuulijii, a giant crocodile that can match the greatest females in length. All that said and predation of male basylysks excluded, the crocodiles and the massive females rarely compete directly, with the former being more general in their diets compared to the largely piscivorous giant snakes.
The lesser basylysk -in stark contrast to the greater- is a more permanently marine species, almost never seen on or close to shore and never traveling into even brackish waters of their own volition, though individuals washed into such waters during storms are not unheard of. Rather, this species is almost exclusively found in deeper coastal environments, specifically coral reefs. Here, they slink through between the rocks and corals in a manner similar to moray eels, whom were it not for the basylysks would be the top predators. However, instead they are a common prey item of the serpents, along with groupers, barracuda, large sea snakes, and even reef sharks from time to time. Only larger sharks -such as tiger or bull- may prey upon lesser basylysks and even then, typically only on younger individuals and males. The hunting style of lesser basylysks typically involves lying in wait in between rocks or corals in wait for larger prey animals and lunges at high speeds at it but they may also slink between the crevasses to pursue their prey, not unlike the eels they subjugate.
The greater basylysk is found in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams, primarily in tropical rainforests but also in estuaries on the coasts. They are among the largest predators in this ecosystem and slither throughout the winding rivers and roots of the trees growing on the banks, their movements alone shaping the growth of plant life and stirring up mud and a host of small animals lying in the muck. Tiny fish and reptiles of all sorts follow in their wake to feed on this bounty, as well as the plants and algae kicked up from the upturned substrate. This entourage also feeds on the scraps and waste left behind by the serpent, be they scales or even feces. While they are easily capable of crushing a small boat with their muscular bodies, greater basylysks prefer the gigantic fish that swim the rivers and estuaries of Shlekahul's jungles and coasts: some of these species are even as large as a wagon and the largest species get even bigger. These giant fish are the preferred prey of greater basylysks, with prey as small as arapaima also being taken though this appears to be the lower limit on the fish they prefer to take. Naturally, larger individuals tend to prefer larger fish, with the most dominant and largest basylysks constricting and swallowing fish as heavy as four cattle. Even sharks are on the menu for estuarine females. While these fish are the optimal prey of choice, greater basylysks are also known to prey on crocodiles and terrestrial prey from time to time, although these are usually individuals under stress. Unsurprisingly, greater basylysk females are among the dominant predators in the ecosystems they inhabit and even males generally have few predators. The only animal that can compete with the basylysk and regularly preys on males is the Vuulijii, a giant crocodile that can match the greatest females in length. All that said and predation of male basylysks excluded, the crocodiles and the massive females rarely compete directly, with the former being more general in their diets compared to the largely piscivorous giant snakes.
The lesser basylysk -in stark contrast to the greater- is a more permanently marine species, almost never seen on or close to shore and never traveling into even brackish waters of their own volition, though individuals washed into such waters during storms are not unheard of. Rather, this species is almost exclusively found in deeper coastal environments, specifically coral reefs. Here, they slink through between the rocks and corals in a manner similar to moray eels, whom were it not for the basylysks would be the top predators. However, instead they are a common prey item of the serpents, along with groupers, barracuda, large sea snakes, and even reef sharks from time to time. Only larger sharks -such as tiger or bull- may prey upon lesser basylysks and even then, typically only on younger individuals and males. The hunting style of lesser basylysks typically involves lying in wait in between rocks or corals in wait for larger prey animals and lunges at high speeds at it but they may also slink between the crevasses to pursue their prey, not unlike the eels they subjugate.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Both basylysks are obligate carnivores, who require meat to sustain themselves. As snakes, water basylysks swallow their prey whole, with their flexible jaws allowing them to take prey significantly larger than their heads. These jaws are not fused to each other at their chin and connected by a stretchy tendon that lets this action occur, taking on prey of sizes comparable to cattle. Prey is grabbed in a bite, at which point the snake then wraps around them and begins to strangle them. This is typically until the animal is suffocated, but sufficiently small prey-including humans-may suffer broken bones. After the prey is swallowed, the serpent enters into a state of lethargy and behaves very sluggishly, slowly sinking to the bottom and sitting until the meal is digested which depending on the prey item may take days or even a week.
While it can easily eat a cow or even several humans, water basylysks rarely go maneater. In general, they prefer aquatic game, specifically very large fish. The sorts of fish they love to prey on are significantly larger than a man, with even medium-sized sharks being on the menu. Though fish are preferred, other aquatic and occasionally terrestrial prey are also taken.
While it can easily eat a cow or even several humans, water basylysks rarely go maneater. In general, they prefer aquatic game, specifically very large fish. The sorts of fish they love to prey on are significantly larger than a man, with even medium-sized sharks being on the menu. Though fish are preferred, other aquatic and occasionally terrestrial prey are also taken.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Both the stalker and water basylysks are endemic to the tropical island of Shlekahul, where they are dominant predators in their own right. Though they are all but exclusively marine animals, the lesser basylysk is not found far from the island, as they are highly dependent on and adapted to coral reefs and therefore cannot move far out into the oceans. While greater water basylysks are capable of marine travel, they have never been seen traveling more than a few miles out to sea and here they may become prey of the only other predator that has a chance of hunting them: oceanic sharks. Even then, there is no account of basylysks outside of Shlekahul that can be reasonably verified and these animals likely would not fare well in mainland habitats that are closest to the island, due to the lack of the waters and large fish they require.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
As apex predators, even the healthiest basylysks are riddled with parasites of all kinds: leeches, crustaceans, insects, even fish larvae riddle their skin, and there are so many more in their stomachs. While these gut parasites rarely are detrimental to the snake's overall health, the skin diggers and blood suckers rapidly build up over time and can cause complications with scales, eyes, and mouth. If left unchecked, these parasites can cause edemas around the eyes, mouth, and cloaca as well as oral abscesses.
However, both species have a solution to this: the many tiny animals that follow in their shadows. And it is not just parasites either: these animals also of their skin, which they shed as they grow. Basylysks will stop at regular spots to get cleaned up and thousands of different species recognize that behavior, swarming around the snake to pick them clean. This is easy for lesser basylysks: cleaner fish are absolutely delighted at the sight of a basylysks visiting their stations, gorging themselves on a bounty that rivals even the largest sharks. Greaters do not have these fish at their disposal, but they do have their own strategy: once a greater basylysk establishes itself in a territory, it will immediately scope out areas along the banks of their watery domains and completely beach onto the banks. Thousands of species of birds, 30 kinds of lizards, and even two small mammal species recognize this behavior and zero in on these individuals once they do this and proceed to pick them absolutely clean of parasites, dead skin, and even infected dental plaque. Males may do this communally, providing them with one of the only noncompetitive interactions between males, but females prefer to be preened alone.
However, both species have a solution to this: the many tiny animals that follow in their shadows. And it is not just parasites either: these animals also of their skin, which they shed as they grow. Basylysks will stop at regular spots to get cleaned up and thousands of different species recognize that behavior, swarming around the snake to pick them clean. This is easy for lesser basylysks: cleaner fish are absolutely delighted at the sight of a basylysks visiting their stations, gorging themselves on a bounty that rivals even the largest sharks. Greaters do not have these fish at their disposal, but they do have their own strategy: once a greater basylysk establishes itself in a territory, it will immediately scope out areas along the banks of their watery domains and completely beach onto the banks. Thousands of species of birds, 30 kinds of lizards, and even two small mammal species recognize this behavior and zero in on these individuals once they do this and proceed to pick them absolutely clean of parasites, dead skin, and even infected dental plaque. Males may do this communally, providing them with one of the only noncompetitive interactions between males, but females prefer to be preened alone.
Origin/Ancestry
Boidae
Lifespan
25 years
Average Weight
Greater: 2,000-5,500 lbs.
Lesser: 200-500 lbs.
Average Length
Greater: 32-57 ft.
Lesser: 14-25 ft.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Water basylysks scale patterns vary between species and individuals, but they consistently are made up large blotches, saddles, spots, and streaks-the latter especially prevalent on the tail-breaking of a largely uniform background. The head is where the patterning becomes most detailed, with an intricate maze of stripes and spots.
The greater basylysk is the darker of the two species, with an olive or forest green background overlaid with black blotches all the length down the body. These blotches are made even more distinct by a mahogany outline separating it from the rest of the body and the tail is lined with a series of black and cream bands. The stripes, streaks, and spots on the head are jet black, while the rest of it is a bloody red.
The lesser basylysk is much brighter species, mostly consisting of a creamy color all along the body with blotches, saddles, and streaks of all kinds of colors that fit with the reef. The pattern consists of stark white outline, followed by a jet-black outline, while the larger blotch is a variety of bright, but pale colors, be they reds, pinks, blues, and yellows. The head beneath the stripes and streaks is stark white, as are the stripes in between the black bands on the tail.
The greater basylysk is the darker of the two species, with an olive or forest green background overlaid with black blotches all the length down the body. These blotches are made even more distinct by a mahogany outline separating it from the rest of the body and the tail is lined with a series of black and cream bands. The stripes, streaks, and spots on the head are jet black, while the rest of it is a bloody red.
The lesser basylysk is much brighter species, mostly consisting of a creamy color all along the body with blotches, saddles, and streaks of all kinds of colors that fit with the reef. The pattern consists of stark white outline, followed by a jet-black outline, while the larger blotch is a variety of bright, but pale colors, be they reds, pinks, blues, and yellows. The head beneath the stripes and streaks is stark white, as are the stripes in between the black bands on the tail.
Geographic Distribution
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