Crotstrus

crostruses (pl)

Basic Information

Anatomy

Crotstruses are elongated scaled beings with two to five tails. One is a rattle, while the others  are much thinner and are used as other species use arms. They have no eyes, but a set of six heat-sensing "pits" on their head. Their jaws have several joints, allowing them to open their mouths wider than one might assume. They have three pairs of fangs in their mouths, which shed every 9 to 14 weeks.

Genetics and Reproduction

When the season begins to turn colder, female crotstruses are able to take in semen from male or hemar crotstruses, which can be stored until the end of spring, by which time the sperm dies. When in the correct climate, the female crotstrus fertilizes the eggs (between one to four) and holds it within for six months, until giving birth. Females can only reproduce once every three years.

Growth Rate & Stages

Crotstruses reach full size within three years, and until then they are considered children. For the next ten years they are considered adolescents as their mental and emotional growth expands.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Crotstruses aren't known for their palate. They are attracted to anything containing protein, swallowing it whole. The venom in their front two fangs are used to kill smaller prey, for those who hunt for live food. A crotstrus only needs to eat once a month, enough to match their body weight. If they do, they must rest for a couple days.

Biological Cycle

During any cold season, crotstruses enter a period of brumation. While they can go for months without any food, they do not sleep the entire period of the chill. They require water and are social during this period of major inactivity. Those who avoid such cold temperatures during a year will still find themselves taking a couple months to do little but drink and chat while cuddling into their blankets.

Additional Information

Social Structure

From a solitary lifestyle except in times of winter, crotstruses now are focused entirely on physical possessions and wealth. Any city or country based upon crotstrus' culture runs on a plutocracy. Considering that wealth amongst the crostruses fluctuates wildly (almost no such thing as inherited money), that also makes all of these places completely dysfunctional to the outside eye.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Crotstruses perceive the world in two ways: through reading heat signatures with the six pits on their face and reading vibrations through a magical field given off by their rattle. Through the magic they are able to see frequentess, which other species call colors. Their sense of taste is also very keen, catching scents in the air, though is never meant for what "tastes good" as it is yet another way of perceiving those around them.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

While there are two sexes, in the crotstrus language there is only one gender, so outside of reproduction there is no actual separation within genders or sexes.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The crotstrus language is, of course, full of hissing that those not serpentine or lizard-like are completely incapable of replicating it without external (usually magical) assistance.

Common Dress Code

Crotstruses don't wear clothes like most other species do. Clothing-wise they are usually relegated to straps and bags to carry belongings with them

Culture and Cultural Heritage

In lieu of clothing, most crotstruses wear paint. The colours and detail tend to mirror a crotstrus' place in society. The wealthiest tend to paint every scale individually with the most expensive of paints, which then sends them back into poverty. Most are unconcerned by this and they simply work enough to build themselves up once more.

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

1'6'-2'

Average Weight

100-350 lbs

Average Length

7'-10'

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

A crotstrus' scales can be quite varied in colours, but they tend to either be dark or muted tones.