Rockshooter

Rockshooters are a small snake species found on the moon Two, in the Sao Solar System. They use their rocks that they swallow to shoot down birds in the skies and consume them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Rockshooters have a long, brown body. Their brown scales help them hide in the undergrowth of forests that they live in. Their heads are large to swallow rocks and pebbles along riversides. Their tail ends in a tiny barb that they use to stab at predators when caught. A mild venom will only start to be produced in adults, as juveniles they must make do with stabbing predators, but as adults they can inject a venom that slows down the predators and puts them to sleep. Rockshooters possess two large pouches on their backs that fill with rocks that they swallow, stretching up to 3 times the size to fit as big rocks as they can. Swallowing too big rocks is the no.1 cause of death for these snakes.

Genetics and Reproduction

Rockshooters primarily burrow underground to nest, usually close to trees so it is easier to find. Females lay a clutch of 19-22 eggs, a hatch rate of 67%. The eggs take about 6 weeks to hatch, in that time they are at risk from predators as the mother cannot protect the eggs well since she is so weak.

Ecology and Habitats

Rockshooters live in forests, slithering about along the ground. Their scales help them hide within the dead leaves and foliage, keeping them hidden from predators. They also stay close to rivers, where they swallow smooth pebbles to shoot at birds and eat them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Rockshooters prey on birds as they fly, by shooting the pebbles and rocks that they store and knocking them to the ground. Their jaws are too weak to grab on to live prey, and it is too slow to catch insects. By swallowing pebbles that store in special pouches on their backs, they can shoot them far into the sky with great aim, straight at birds, hitting them and knocking them to the ground where they can eat them alive.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They are found across the moon; primarily close to rivers that trail through forests, they hide in the undergrowth from predators and use the pebbles along riversides to hunt prey.

Average Intelligence

A rather intelligent species, they must use great and accurate precision to hunt down their prey. Their fight or flight responses always lean towards flight, which has proved them well since other snake species that are related to these have gone extinct for trying to fight their predators.

Lifespan

14-20 years

Average Length

40-50 cm (adult)

Geographic Distribution

• Two