Garnet Snake

The garnet snake (ormer granat), also called ruby snake or chrome snake, is a species of non-venomous snake native to the north-eastern jungles of the DSRR. Garnet snakes have a metallic white body, red eyes, and in most cases a red gem in the forehead. 
==Behavior==
In the wild, garnet snakes live in burrows that they dig and expand over their lifetimes. Since they can live up to ten years, these burrows can become quite extensive. As they dig these burrows, they consume naturally occurring minerals from the soil, including aluminum and chromium. Most aluminum is incorporated into their keratinous scales as a pigment and a hardener, making the scales durable, shiny, and white. The rest of the aluminum and the chromium are secreted through a gland in the head in crystalline layers. These layers form a hard ruby gem, made of corundum with incorporated chromium. This forehead gem is very hard due to the ruby's properties, and is used both as protection, a digging tool, and according to some scholars, as a way to attract or find mates. There is very little gender dimorphism in garnet snakes, and all snakes can have gems. 
==Habitat==
The garnet snake is native to the north-eastern jungles of the DSRR, but it is fairly adaptable to different climates and environments provided it can find a source of food and minerals. It is common as a household pet across the nation. 
==Diet==
Garnet snakes feed primarily on small burrowing insects and worms, though there are reports of garnet snakes feeding on carrion or fallen fruit, making them opportunistic omnivores. 
==Reproduction==
Garnet snakes reach maturity after three years and couple off for life, usually mating once a year, in late winter. Females are ovoviviparous, and give birth to 4-12 live young after a roughly 2-month gestation period. 
Category:Flora and Fauna