Koratha

Koratha (kor-ra-tha) are a carnivorous, semiaquatic species that resides in the northern part of Sivaleth. These apex predators are small serpents with fins that resemble wings and thick fur suitable for life in cold rivers. Despite having fur, they are a reptilian species.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Koratha have slim serpent-like bodies, almost identical to that of any snake. Depending on the subspecies, this length can vary anywhere between 30 inches long and (the Spring-water Koratha) to 14 feet long (Zephyr's Koratha). Despite the varied amount in lengths, they are all on average an inch and a half thick. However, their most distinctive features are their large pair of fins and their fur. The fins of the Koratha are around the upper to middle third of their body. These wing-like appendages vary from species, but are usually translucent, giving off the appearance of colored glass. The length of the wingspan for each Koratha is roughly 3/4s of their entire length, which fold close to the body when swimming to keep themselves streamline during hunts. The fur is one of the most recognizable parts of the Koratha, being soft to the touch. The fur is comprised of two layers; a short underfur for insulation and a long outer layer of guard hair that is somewhat reflective, despite the usual dark colored fur. This enables the Koratha to venture in much colder climates than what it lives in for an extended period of time; whereas they are unable to regulate their blood temperature easily like most animals with fur.
Even if they spend most of their time in the water, the Koratha are a reptilian species and breathe oxygen. However, they have the ability to hold their breath for roughly 20 hours, breaching for air when needed. Their skeletal and muscular structures best resemble fish, their long fins and serpent-like bodies being the only major differences.

Genetics and Reproduction

Koratha reproduce almost exactly to snakes, except they tend to have their eggs hatch during the spring season. Due to their gestation periods ranging from 20 days to 6 months depending on species, mating seasons vary on the species as well. After a small clutch of 2-6 eggs are lain (the smaller the species, the large the clutch) to be hatch within the season.

Growth Rate & Stages

Hatching-3 months: They are usually 1/6 of their full size, dependent on their parents for both food and protection. During this time, they usually stay in their den, protected by their father while the mother goes out hunting. Their diet consists of soft meals, such as fish eggs and guts, sometimes moss and algae if food is scarce.  3-9 months: The time where each Koratha has their growth spurt, usually grow up to 5/6 of their full size. During this stage, they are shown how to hunt and usually get minimal assistance from their parents. Their diet expands to most food found underwater. Young Adult: The Koratha is considered a young adult at this point until the end of a third of their life. At this point, they leave their den in search of another home, still growing in size until their death. This is the time where they get the most adventurous, traveling large expanses of water and trying to figure out what is the largest type of above-water game they can hunt. This is also considered the most dangerous stage of the Koratha, for both their prey and humanoids. Adult: Once reaching this stage, they find a mate and start a family of their own. However, there are a few that don't settle down, but continue their trends of their young adult ways, making them some of the most dangerous aquatic predators inland.

Ecology and Habitats

Koratha tend to make homes in little dens either above or below the surface of the water, the later featuring some sort of air pocket. The water Koratha dwell in are usually cold in temperature, ranging from small ponds to large, quiet rivers. Although they are somewhat territorial, they will typically not establish a den unless they are other Koratha in the same area of roughly 100 yards. They do not enjoy to share their prey, but sometimes the extra help is needed; many begrudgingly make their homes near each other. 
This scenario only changes when it comes to finding a mate. Koratha, unlike their snake ancestors, will mate for life almost all of the time. The only exception to this rule is when one of the partners die, in which the widow will find another.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Koratha are primarily ambush predators, laying in burrows either above or below the water. When a sizable fish or other creature they believe to be their next meal arrives, they dash towards it, using their fins as a burst of speed. Most of the time, this gets the job done, but sometimes the food gets away. Whereas the Koratha aren't persistence hunters, several of them will try to go for the same meal, resulting in a relay-like hunting style similar to some birds of prey.  This method doesn't only go for fish, but anything that happens near their place of residence. 
There have been many cases of Koratha jumping out of the water to catch birds and other small mammals at watering holes, more often with larger species. This method is done similarly to their water hunting, but using their fins to jump out of the water and latch on to their above-water prey, either by biting or coiling. Since their prey is usually smaller than they are, they pull their next meal into the body of water, drowning the prey in the process. 
The Koratha typically don't store food, save for some rarer species. They eat their catch in one sitting, not needing to hunt for a few days, sometimes a week depending on the size of the catch.

Biological Cycle

The Koratha typically do not hibernate, but are known to get "lazier" and more picky about their hunting in the warmer months.

Additional Information

Domestication

There are very few records of domesticated Koratha, as they are not much more useful than any other snake-like house pets, only more dangerous. Some state that their aggression goes down somewhat, but they are one of the most dangerous pets a person can own.

Average Intelligence

Many consider the Koratha to be much more intelligent than snakes. However, their only difference to snakes is their relay-like hunting patterns. Other than that, they are no more intelligent than any snake.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

For a creature that primarily lives in water, it's eyesight is better than most. However, they find their prey by feeling for atypical movement in the water. This is done using the longer coat of fur to feel for changes in the surrounding water.

Lifespan

20 years

Conservation Status

Least Concern; an invasive species

Average Height

1-6 inches (Depending on species) from the belly to back

Average Weight

5-200 pounds (Depending on species)

Average Length

30-170 inches (Depending on species) from head to tail