Vellan Copperbellied Swamp Adder
Found exclusively in the Vellan swamp, this venomous water snake is one of the most deadly common snakes in Raiven. They are territorial and aggressive, but fortunately usually live deeper in the swamps than most people would venture. When encountered, it is usually when the snake is resting among roots. It will loudly hiss at any potential threat, and rear back making part of it's bright, coppery underside visible. The best course of action is to slowly back away from the snake and give it a wide berth. They rarely pursue creatures so much larger than themselves and will simply slither back into the water and away.
In the event one is bitten by one immediately medical intervetion is needed. The venom of even a juvenile is potent enough to be lethal even to a healthy adult. Given the remoteness of the area where encounters a likely, it is best to bring along provisions for such an occurence, even while remaining vigilant.
The snakes themselves can grow to nearly 6 feet in length, though they have a lithe and slender body. Their backs and sides range from dull black to brown, but their underside is a bright, coppery color that almost shines like metal. Their mouths are a pale pinkish-white and their eyes are typically light brown. The females are larger and more aggressive than the males and tend to live longer with a lifepan of around 18-20 years to the males' 12-14. They lay clutches of small, coppery eggs in the shallow water near roots and other growth which hatch after a short 34 days. They can produce asexually at the expense of genetic diversity.
They are edible once the head is removed as the vemon is stored in the top of the throat, but given the danger they represent and the relatively small meat to be gained from even a particularly long snake, most deem this a foolish endevour left to the sort of braggart who does so performatively.
Some Vellan nobles have famously kept them as pets, though most of these have had their venom sacks removed and live a scant few years before dying in captivity. Less scrupulus individuals have captured them to use as weapons of assassination or to extract venom for poison.
They are abundant and in no danger of extinction at this time.
In the event one is bitten by one immediately medical intervetion is needed. The venom of even a juvenile is potent enough to be lethal even to a healthy adult. Given the remoteness of the area where encounters a likely, it is best to bring along provisions for such an occurence, even while remaining vigilant.
The snakes themselves can grow to nearly 6 feet in length, though they have a lithe and slender body. Their backs and sides range from dull black to brown, but their underside is a bright, coppery color that almost shines like metal. Their mouths are a pale pinkish-white and their eyes are typically light brown. The females are larger and more aggressive than the males and tend to live longer with a lifepan of around 18-20 years to the males' 12-14. They lay clutches of small, coppery eggs in the shallow water near roots and other growth which hatch after a short 34 days. They can produce asexually at the expense of genetic diversity.
They are edible once the head is removed as the vemon is stored in the top of the throat, but given the danger they represent and the relatively small meat to be gained from even a particularly long snake, most deem this a foolish endevour left to the sort of braggart who does so performatively.
Some Vellan nobles have famously kept them as pets, though most of these have had their venom sacks removed and live a scant few years before dying in captivity. Less scrupulus individuals have captured them to use as weapons of assassination or to extract venom for poison.
They are abundant and in no danger of extinction at this time.
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