Thunder Boa
On the plain of Yuruk-Tar there is one creature that manages to sneak up on most creatures and yet when it arrives it's presence is known for miles. The thunder boa is a stealthy snake-like predator that stalks the grasslands of Yuruk-Tar. It blends in with the tall grass, changing colors depending on the season. It's been known to shed its skin to change from colors of green, yellow, and white. Despite its massive size its quite quiet when it moves, due mostly to moving slowly as it stalks its prey. Its name comes from the reason that most people know of it in the first place, the thunderous boom that it emits from its mouth upon finding its prey. As soon as it finds its meal it rears up its head until its head is right in front of its prey and opens its jaws. A deep rattling sound comes from its mouth until in roughly a second a thunderous boom reminiscent of a giant war drum emits from its mouth, stunning and deafening its prey. After that usually the prey is rendered helpless as its eaten whole and dies within the snakes stomach however sometimes the Thunder Boa will constrict its target, cutting into it with blade like bone plates along its sides, until it suffocates to death or is crushed and eviscerated entirely. It also occasionally bites its prey however since its bite is not venomous this is rare and usually only done out of disparity. Because of its powerful thundering boom and thicc hide it has been seen fighting powerful creatures such as chimeras and still standing victorious.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Outwardly it appears to be nothing more than a large serpent with a row of blade like bone plates on its sides some scholars have managed to dissect specimens. Although mostly normal on the inside the one notable feature was what is called the "Thunder Throat", a special kind of vocal chord the serpent uses to make its thunderous boom. Its throat contains several muscles that bang hard bony plates on a another larger bony plate at the top of its windpipe. The bone in its throat is hollow and has been known to have certain magical properties that make the percussion of it produce far more sound than is normal with even a hard tap with a metal spoon sending a deep reverberating sound. This is known the be the method through which is produces its thunderous boom from its mouth.
Biological Traits
Thunder boas live for an average of 60 years however can live up to 80. During this time they can grow up to 33ft long and up to 4 feet in diameter
Genetics and Reproduction
Its reproduction is no different that normal snakes, finding a mate and mating, however their method for finding a mate is unique. Being that they have no fear of being attacked by predators during springtime people can sometimes hear a chattering on the air which might lead them to believe that giant birds are about, however this is in fact only a female letting out her mating call. The Gestation period before it lays its eggs is about 4 months, far longer than a normal sized snake. In addition the females only lay about 2-3 eggs at a time and the parents will take shifts guarding them until they hatch at which point the babies are left to fend for themselves.
Growth Rate & Stages
When the snakeling hatches after about 6 months it resembles nothing more than a yellow snake about 5-6ft long. It lacks any plate blades on its sides and can only make a sound as loud as a grown man yelling. Its "thunder throat" will quickly develop until about 9 months old when it will be able to emit a boom as loud as its adult counterparts. As it grows its plate blades will slowly grow in however they are not noticeable until about 1 year and 2 months old. It will then reach sexual maturity at about 4 years old. Although now considered an adult Thunder Boa's never stop growing (although at this point they grow at a reduced rate) and can live up to 80 years.
Ecology and Habitats
Thunder Boas live almost exclusively in grasslands and savannas however a handful have been found in deserts. This is mostly because tall grass is optimal for its preferred hunting method, stealth. Its scales change color with the colors of the grass as it sheds each coat of skin to blend in. Those found in the desert match the color of the sand and seem to use the bony plates on their sides to help burrow through the sand.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Thunder Boa will eat anything that is meat and that wont kill it. It acquires this food by stalking its prey moving slowly and quietly, blending in with its environment. As soon as it gets close to its prey it will raise its head to it's prey's head and then let out its thunderous boom before taking the opportunity to devour the stunned creature whole. If necessary it will also bite with its fangs and constrict its prey, cutting its flesh with its bony plates on its sides. Luckily for those in a group the Thunder Boa seems to have to recover its energy for a moment before letting out another thunderous boom, however often many of those in the vicinity are already stunned by the blast so this doesn't always help.
Biological Cycle
It's been known to shed its skin to change from colors of green, yellow, and white, for spring, summer and fall, and winter and respectively each time the new color lying just beneath the original layer. Unlike other reptiles the Thunder Boa does not hibernate in winter but rather during the fall develops a layer of fat to protect it from the cold. During late fall they are known to be extremely aggressive, hunting down anything that won't kill them outright in order to get enough food to grow that layer of fat.
Additional Information
Domestication
Although extraordinarily rare there are rumors that some people have learned to tame thunder boas and even ride them as mounts however the methods this would be done vary greatly and it is extremely risky and prone to going wrong.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The bones in it "thunder throat" can be used to make special instruments and some magical items. Its hide is also useful as it is quite thick and durable. Although expensive and rare thunder boa meat is sometimes cooked and sold as exotic food.
Facial characteristics
Thunder boas can be recognized by a handful of unique characteristics on their heads. They have wide jaws but comparatively thin heads. They posses bony, sharp, plates where their cheekbones are. And lastly They have ridges along their skulls starting from the top of their heads that continue to the base of the skull.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Thunder boas live exclusively in Yuruk-Tar and are primarily found in Silvaria and the Rabid lands in the grasslands and savannas. A handful can be found in the deserts of Uran Savnar however these are rare.
Average Intelligence
They are quite cunning being known to monitor tougher creatures habits and waiting until the opportune moment to strike. It has even been seen to hide in areas it has seen creatures patrol through.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
It posses sharp sight and a great sense of smell however its hearing is either negligible to begin with or the continuous use of its thundering boom it produces causes hearing to be damaged throughout its life. With that said it seems to be rather sensitive to vibrations in the ground when it is laying on it making it quite hard to sneak up on it.
Lifespan
60
Average Height
2 1/2 feet wide with a 3 foot head
Average Weight
5,000lbs
Average Length
27ft.
Average Physique
Thunder boas are mostly muscle except in the winter when they grow a layer of fat after hunting far more than usual.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
In all seasons except winter thunder boas possess light gray vertical and slanted lines along their backs which change slightly in hue and color with the seasons to blend better with the rest of the scales.
Geographic Distribution
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