Purgatory Sidewinder

Actually a collection of several related subspecies:

These things are probably snakes.

With "fur" (close examination suggests tiny feathers, like chick down).

Approximately the size of a hunting dog. But usually four times as long.

Purgatory Sidewinders appear in different primary colors around Oatman Canyon.

Blue sidewinders tend to eat mice and small jackrabbits. They are most active in the middle of the dry season when the weather begins to grow cool. The last will be seen shortly before the first serious snowfall. Ranchers say that the blue crawlers are good for the stew pot. The fur can also be used to make an oatman hat, a nonmagical accessory particularly adept at keeping the weather off one's face.

Green sidewinders eat the amphibians of the creekbeds. Ranchers say that these are dangerous to hunt as they tend to die with acidic explosions which makes it difficult to use for hats or the stew pot. No record of anyone actually dying from eating the green ones, however, there is also no proof that anyone has actually put one into the stew pot.

Red sidewinders love to eat fire ants, termites, and other forms of insects. The termite and anthill mounds are a feast day for the sidewinders as they will burrow into the side and since they are immune to fire - and therefore fire ant bites - they can eat at their leisure. When put into the stewpot, they add a nice bit of spice to the meal. The only downside to hunting a red sidewinder to be aware of the fireballs they can shoot, but they are sought after for the bright color.

Yellow sidewinders prefer to eat Suslik and mercats. They have no natural defenses because they breed prolifically and are small enough to follow marmots into their tunnels. They are a fairly bland addition to the stew pot, but they are easy for young hunters to begin honing their hunting skills which make their hides less valuable.

There might be other colors to be found so anyone out in Oatman Canyon should keep their eyes open for any movements.