Anaconda

"We were paddling upstream with the second party behind us when I heard a splash. I turned around, and all I could see was a large black cloud and a snake's tail disappear into it. Gregory and his crew were gone, and we who remained decided to walk the rest of the way."
-Maximus Dovat

The anaconda is a massive constrictor snake that dwells in Vorthali rivers and is the main deterrent from travel on smaller boats. Their size is not what makes them particularly deadly, but their ability to exude a dense black smoke, in which they ensnare their prey.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The largest known snakes, female anacondas grow to be near 100 feet in length and six feet in girth, weighing nearly 2000 pounds. Males tend to stay under 70 feet in length, weighing around 1500 pounds.
Anaconda scales vary in color from a dark green to black and number from 300 to 400.
Perhaps more interesting than its enormous size is the anaconda's ability to expel smoke from its nostrils. While researchers aren't sure how this unique trait works, because of the difficulty of acquiring a specimen for study, they believe it may be similar a dragon's ability to breath fire.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Despite its size, the anaconda doesn't require food often, sometimes only eating once or twice per week, unless food is more readily available. Its diet is usually an unsuspecting crocodile or a deer, or other mammal, drinking water from the bank. The anaconda will stay just far enough below the water that only its nostrils are visible and once it is close enough, it exhales the black cloud, disorientating the prey. The snake then coils around on all sides preventing retreat and finally swallows the animal whole.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Snakes are known to have sight beyond their eyes which is believed to sense heat, although the exact nature has yet to be uncovered. What is certain, however, is the anaconda is completely capable of capturing prey while inside the black cloud it creates.

Origin/Ancestry

Vorthali

Lifespan

~12 years

Average Height

around six feet in diameter

Average Weight

~1500 pounds

Average Length

~80 feet