Valley Constrictor

The Valley Constrictor split from its ancestor in the Dixon region. An ambush predator, the Valley Constrictor will lie in wait on muddy river banks or at the bottom of shallow swampy areas. The rudimentary electrocytes of the Spinemander have further developed in the Valley Constrictor, as have its system of electroreceptors which line its sides. Using electrolocation, the Valley Constrictor can sense when potential prey is near. It will then grab prey with its mouth and wrap its body around the organism, using powerful muscles along its body to squeeze it. The pressure will result in a lack of blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs, leading very quickly to unconsciousness and death. Amphibious organisms such as Baraxshots, River Hikahoe, River Scramblers and Chut Snorkpipers are the main sources of prey for the Valley Constrictor, although it will also hunt water-bound prey at times as well. While quite a bit larger than their ancestor, the Valley Constrictor is not an apex predator. Tarawaka are a frequent threat to juvenile Valley Constrictors and adults during their yearly migration to the Great Dixon Valley are preyed on by Long-Tailed Flunejaws and lesser Argusraptors. To defend itself the Valley Constrictor can use its electrocytes to shock predators that touch it. The shock is mild and leaves no lasting effect, but can give the organism time to escape. The row of spines and thickened scutes inherited from the Spinemander remains, although their cheek pouches have lost their spike as it often got in the way when moving through narrow areas. Every year, when the warmer seasons begin, adult Valley Constrictors will make their way upriver to the North Dixon Alpine. Between the North Dixon Peak and the Central Dixon Peak lies a large valley dotted with ponds and lakes. To maximize genetic diversity the Valley Constrictors of all four major river systems in Northern Dixon will gather here, swimming when they can and crawling when they must. Males and females will form a mating ball composed of multiple individuals, typically with a ratio of 10-to-1 in regards to gender. When the heat of the season reaches its peak the adults will return to their rivers and swamps. Females will gestate over a dozen or so young for roughly six months before giving birth to live young. These young will absorb their internal yolk sacs in a day or so and then begin to hunt for prey. Young Valley Constrictors hunt smaller prey like Toadtuga at first, but as they grow they will target larger organisms.