Sea serpents

Today we will meet the first of two modern groups belonging to Superorder Longititanes. As they competed with other types of dragon, Longititanes found an advantageous niche as mostly subterranean hunters, but eventually diversified into the two main lineages. These dragons are characterized by the almost complete loss of limbs and general elongation of the body, giving rise to predators somewhat similar to snakes, evolved by hunting prey among tunnels and crevices. 

Just as Wyrms hold dominion as predators on land, their sister group in Superorder Longititanes. the aptly named Megaserpentes, or Sea Serpents, rule undisputedly in the seas and oceans of the world, with some smaller species inhabiting freshwater wherever other dragons or crocodilians are not present. Sea Serpents have a long, serpentine body, covered in a layer of fat that gives it a hydrodynamic shape, as well as protecting it from the cold ocean around it. Its overlapping, backwards facing scales give it a surface that reduces drag as it swims, sometimes even forming structures that help the dragon veer and stabilize itself. Their tail is vertically flattened and even bifurcated in some species to help them swim. Blood vessels atop their heat extract oxygen directly from the water to help them sold their breath underwater for longer.

In order to catch prey, Sea Serpents have also countershading, stripes and even camouflage to help them hunt. Their anatomy, specially their heads and jaws, vary a lot depending on their diet. Most species are generalist predators and will feed on fish and sea life, and river or coastal species can feed on land animals that approach the water, but some Serpents are extreme specialists. Other serpents have gone the opposite way, expanding their diet until achieving omnivory, feeding on vegetables as well as meat. Most sea serpents can survive without eating for a while after a single meal, thanks to their metabolism.

Habitat: The Glacial Northern seas.

One of the biggest Sea Serpents known to man, and one that halted the exploration of the northest parts of the world for a long time, until big enough vessels were developed to prevent being sunk by these creatures. It feeds almost exclusively on whales, which has forced them to become smaller and much faster in order to escape predation. However, despite keeping the whale populations in check, Serpents are not a threat to the survival of modern species of whale. As is the case with bigger animals, the populations of these Sea Serpents are quite small, especially compared to those of whales, and even one whale will be enough to feed a Sea Serpent for a long time, with their metabolism allowing them to go for a long time without eating after a meal.

Their countershading and ornaments allow them to camouflage with the surrounding water and ice, and their wide and short jaws allow them to drown their preferred prey, with this serpent being able to survive in the water for much longer.  As can be imagined, climate change and the reduction of the polar caps has severely affected the Jörmungandr, and a drastic reduction of its population has already been noticed by scientists, who believe this majestic animal could go extinct by the end of the century. That is, if storms don’t kill them first. For, so far, unknown reasons, many individuals of this species have been found dead and beached after particularly bad thunderstorms, likely becoming disoriented in the chaos.