Properties of Pygmy Hydra

Where a hydra is a monstrous creature larger than even the biggest whale, pygmy hydra are small, not much larger than a cobra. However, the biggest difference with a cobra is not the habitat in which they live, but the number of heads of the creature: snakes usually only have one, pygmy hydra have several.

Regenerative Abilities

Like their bigger cousins, pygmy hydra have regenerative abilities. When one head is chopped off, two grow back in its stead. Pygmy hydra often live in nests with their siblings, and, the ruthless creatures they are, often get into fights with one another to such an extent that heads roll, literally. Losing a head in a fight, however, is not always a bad thing. But, it is the reason that most pygmy hydra have more heads than regular hydra. Regular hydra live on their own.

Healing Properties

Pygmy hydra are a common ingredient for a variety of healing potions and spells. The innate regenerative abilities of the pygmy hydra are mystic in nature, and can thus be transferred to another creature via potion or spell. Understandably, they are highly sought after by hedge-witches and -wizards and other healers.
The healing effects are of short duration, and in severe cases, a patient might need several healing potions to recover properly. While pygmy hydra are relatively easy to catch, unlike their bigger cousins, they still need to be prepared properly by a trained practitioner of the mystic arts to have a healing effect.
In the Sparkling Chain, pickled pygmy hydra has become a famous dish due to the belief that eating it would boost the immune system of the person eating it. However, many a hedge-witch and -wizard have proven this to be false.