Grass Moray

The bane of rodents and most other life within the Silent Savanna. Pet of nobles and ruthless mercenary captains.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A very short dorsal fin extends from just behind the head along the back and slopes into the tail. Their eyes are sensitive to the light; Grass Morays rely on their highly developed sense of smell, lying in wait to ambush prey. Although they will use their keen night-vision to leave their caves and burrows to hunt for prey.
The body has a black stripe on either side of the body starting at the sides of the jaw and ending at the tip of its body. Their jaws are wide, framing a protruding snout. Grass Morays possess large teeth used to tear flesh or grasp larger animals.
Morays secrete a protective mucus over their smooth, scaleless skin protecting it from sharp rocks of its lairs. This allows sand granules to adhere to their sides helping to blend in while waiting to ambush.
Morays are carnivorous and feed primarily on small rodents, birds, dogs, antelopes and snakes. lions, leopards and large eagles are among their few predators.
They have a second set of jaws in their throat, which also possess teeth. When feeding, morays launch these jaws into the mouth, where they grasp smaller prey and transport it into the throat and digestive system. If attacking larger prey it is used to hold on while it continues to bite into the creature until it collapses. After it has killed a large prey it will tear chunks that it can then swallow often not eating most of the animal.

Genetics and Reproduction

A female will find a pool of water preferably protected underground and lay their eggs in the water. A male will use the scent released to find and fertilize the eggs. they have no set mating season and it happens when it is a good time such as an abundance of prey. the eggs will hatch 100 days after being fertilized and are completely self reliant most dying before reaching maturity.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Carnivore and mostly a ambush predator.

Additional Information

Domestication

It has never been domesticated but is still seen as a great pet due to its rarity to use as a status symbol and as a deterrent due to it's particularly brutal method of killing larger prey.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Only found naturally in the Silent Savanna

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Strong night-vision, and strong sense of smell.

Scientific Name

Herba Moraviae

Lifespan

20 years

Average Height

6 inches

Average Weight

32 kilograms

Average Length

3 meters