Snake Yokai

**Snake Yokai** are anthropomorphic beings who are known for swallowing their food whole.

## Physical Appearance

Snake Yokai are anthropomorphic versions of their Surface World counterpart. They're naturally slim with a long neck. Their heads are lowered and pointed downwards. They also have fangs, a forked tongue, long snake tails, and sharp claws. Depending on the species of the Snake Yokai, they may have pointed sides that reveals the inside of their heads.

## Description

Snake Yokai are curious beings who would use their tongues to taste any new unusual things they have discovered. They are very wise and have vast knowledge of everything about the Hidden World. They're quite flexible as they can control their bodies at will. Especially their necks in which they can extend or retract it. They swallow their food whole which can make some Yokai uncomfortable at times. Snake Yokai are both benevolent and malevolent. Depending on their environment, they can either be helpful towards others or can end up being part of the Hidden World' criminal underground.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Snake Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Burrowing
* Camouflage
* Climbing
* Constriction
* Crushing
* Dermal Armor/Scale Manifestation
* Enhanced Agility
* Enhanced Crawling
* Enhanced Durability
* Enhanced Flexibility/Elasticity
* Enhanced Lung Capacity
* Enhanced Senses
	+ Enhanced Smell
* Enhanced Speed
* Enhanced Stealth
* Enhanced Strength
* Forked Tongue
* Powerful Bite
	+ Elastic Jaws
* Prehensile Tail
* Prehensile Torso
* Seismic Sense
* Speed Swimming
* Thermoreception
* Venom Secretion (but does not apply to pythons or boas)
* Venomous Fangs
* Body Shedding

### Variations

* **Boidae Physiology (boas and anacondas)**: Constriction, Crushing, Enhanced Strength
	+ **Titanoboa Physiology/Extinct**: Unnatural Size, Constriction, Crushing, Enhanced Strength
* **Caenophidae Physiology**
	+ **Colubridae Physiology (typical snakes)**
	+ **Elapidae Physiology (seasnakes, cobras, adders, kraits, mambas, etc)**: Venomous Fangs, Environmental Adaptation
	+ **Viperidae Physiology (vipers)**: Venomous Fangs
* **Pythonidae Physiology (pythons)**: Constriction, Crushing, Enhanced Strength

### Mythical Snakes:

* *See Also Legendary serpents*.
* **Amphiptere Physiology**
* **Amphisbaena Physiology**: Multiple Heads, Venomous Fangs
* **Basilisk Physiology**
* **Boitatá Physiology**
* **Feathered Serpent Physiology**: Air Manipulation, Enhanced Wisdom, Flight, Human Disguise, Knowledge Manipulation, Rain Manipulation
* **Giant Anaconda Physiology**: Unnatural Size, Constriction, Crushing, Enhanced Strength
* **Horned Serpent Physiology**: Disease Manipulation, Horn Protrusion, Rainbow Manipulation, Weather Manipulation (particularly rain, storms, lightning, and thunder), various others by cultural description.
* **Jörmungandr Physiology**
* **Naga Physiology**
* **Ophiotaurus Physiology**
* **Ouroboros Physiology**
* **Sea Serpent Physiology**
* **Tannin Physiology**
* **Typhon** **Physiology**: Earth Ball Projection(kindled rocks), Eruption Inducement, Fire Vision, Flame Head, Hot Air Generation, Miasma Emission, Multiple Arms, Multiple Heads, Supernatural Strength, Poisonous Saliva, Snake Den, Snake Hair, Tornado Creation, Toxic Rain Generation, Unnatural Size, Wind Generation, Wing Manifestation.
* **Uwabami/Daija/Orochi Physiology**: Unnatural Size, Weather Manipulation
* **Yamata no Orochi Physiology**
* **Yato-no-kami Physiology**: Horn Protrusion, Shinto Deity Physiology, Guardianship

### Associations

* Animal Imitation
* Animal Morphing
* Egg Manipulation
* Gorgon Physiology
* Hydra Physiology
* Lamia Physiology
* Leviathan Physiology
* Prehensile Tongue
* Reptilian Physiology
* Seductive Magnetism
* Seraphim Physiology
* Snake Manipulation
* Snake Regeneration

Snakes are associated with a great number of mystical and supernatural abilities and connections in mythology and folklore, thus users with this power may have access to: Body Shedding, Clairvoyance up to Nigh-Omniscience, Demon Physiology, Fallen Angel Physiology or Genie Physiology, Earth Manipulation, Fertility/Creative Life Force, Guardianship, Healing, Poison-Fire Manipulation, Semi-Immortality/Immortality, Shapeshifting/Omnifarious, Regenerative Healing Factor, Hypnosis, Treachery Embodiment.

## Pop Culture

Snakes are often portrayed as being evil or being untrustworthy. In Judeo-Christian religious traditions the snake earned its stereotypical image due to its depiction in the Book of Genesis where the serpent deceives Adam and Eve into the first sin. As implied in the text the snake was actually Satan in disguise. Because of their seductive image snakes are often portrayed to be sly hypnotists. Examples of evil snakes: Nag, Nagaina and Karait from Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Kaa (in Disney's The Jungle Book), Sir Hiss, Cy Sly the python in Ovide and the Gang, Nagini

## Variations

### Reptile Yokai

Snakes are a type of reptile who can shed their skin to replace it with new shiny scales.

## Life in the Hidden World

Snake Yokai, like all Reptile Yokai, shed their skin on a 5-month basis. The removed skin gets replaced with a shiny new scales. They must maintain their body temperatures which is why they use mystic flaming-based items to be used for body regulation. Many yokai don't trust these yokai because Snake Yokai are generally known for their untrustworthiness. Despite that, Snake Yokai would work as bodyguards or fighters in tournaments. These yokai can slither like a snake but are able to walk on their two legs. Some have a hard time expressing their emotions. Their attempts to smile cause panic to other yokai. Thus causing embarrassment to Snake Yokai as well.

## Symbolism

The serpent, or snake, is one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols. The word is derived from Latin serpens, a crawling animal or snake. Snakes have been associated with some of the oldest rituals known to mankind and represent dual expression of good and evil.