Phanin

Phanin, also known informally as Snakepeople, are a race of sapient cobra-like creatures native to the rainforests of Citrala. The word Phanin in Citrali specifically means "hooded", in reference to the retractible hoods they possess.
They are similar to common snakes in that they have an ectothermic metabolism (cold-blooded), however unlike them they are not exclusively carnivorous. A number of Phanin currently even maintain vegetarian diets. Still, they are unable to be very active in cool weather, and their threshold for cold tolerance is very low. Reproductively, they are ovoviviparous- the mother's eggs hatch internally and she gives live birth to her children. Like other squamates, male and hijra Phanin have two hemipenes, and all genders have only a single orifice (a cloaca) for reproduction, defecation, and urination. 
The ancestors of the Phanin were likely to have been snakes that co-operated with each other to take down larger prey. Eventually, they evolved an ability to speak, and have intelligence on-par with most humanoids in Sabrim. Many Phanin are well regarded as philosopher-theologians in Lakkism, and there were many well-known ancient Phanin tribes, chiefdoms, and other states. The most famous Phanin is probably Queen Khavyetu, one of the Three Queens central to Lakkist philosophy, the foundation of Citrala itself, and the birth of the Naga, the hybrid race between Phanin and Vahini.
Category:Races
Category:Citrala