species [Lore] Sea Serpents

[RarityDash]

Sea Serpents - The Rulers of the Deep

 

 

There is much debate regarding the powerful and imposing creatures known as sea serpents. Many scholars consider them to be simply a variety of dragon while others believe they are distinct unto themselves, the similarities between the two being mostly superficial. What is clear is that, like their possible kin the dragons, sea serpents are a type of creature of which ponykind still knows staggeringly little. Sea serpents are rare to see, their homes hidden underwater, and every bit as large, threatening and difficult to attain information from as dragons are. Like with dragons, researchers have been forced to rely heavily on conjecture based on what can be immediately observed.

 

Sea serpents are, like dragons, reptilian in appearance and covered with razor sharp scales. They grow to similar sizes as dragons, towering over ponies and most pony built structures and are thought to be similarly long-lived. The general shape of sea serpents differs considerably from that of most dragons, however. As their name suggests, their shape is comparable more to that of a snake than other reptiles, with very long, serpentine bodies; unlike snakes however, they still posses working limbs, notably their clawed arms. Their general appearance is thought to vary widely, but often includes full manes of hair in addition to their scales, fins and spines.

 

Though their name might suggest that they live only in Equestria's seas, sea serpents in fact are known to make use of all of Equestria's waters deep enough for them, whether fresh water or salt. In addition to all of the seas surrounding the continent, sea serpents have been spotted in the Great Nimbusgait Lakes, the swamplands of Aquellia and in most of Equestria's major rivers. Despite all the sightings, based on the lack of meaningful interactions ponies have had with them, sea serpents are still thought to be quite rare--though ponykind really has no way of knowing for sure given most likely live deep underwater.

 

Given this choice of theirs to make homes below water, even less is known about sea serpents than their apparent land based counterparts in terms of society and manner of living. Sea serpents, like dragons, are an intelligent species, fully capable of speech. They are not known to form hoards of treasure as dragons do, though it could just be none have yet been discovered. It is unknown if they are effected by greed as dragons are. While every bit as powerful and imposing creatures as dragons, from what contact we have had with adults, sea serpents do not appear to be quite as difficult or antisocial as adult dragons almost invariably are. Though other large serpent like beasts are known to exist in and out of Equestria's waters, such as the multi-headed hydra and the quarry eels, only the sea serpents appear to be fully intelligent.

~Canterlot Research Journal