JAPE SNAKES

Stages of life

   It takes around 6 months for a Jape Snake's egg to hatch. When they hatch, the neonate will be between 30 and 50 cm long, whatever its type is. It will be spike-less and blind. Jape Snake neonates are extremly vocal, and will squeak at any given reason. This behavior will stop overtime. Its eyes will only open after its second shed, which occurs after ~1 month.

   The spikes will begin to grow when the snake is around a year old, and will slowly grow as it ages. A Jape Snake is considered mature once its spikes are fully grown, which is at around 3 years old. Greater ones will still grow until they reach their maturity, which is at around 4 years old. Upon reaching it, the snake will only shed once a year, unless it is sick or injured.

   Adulthood is very different depending on where the snake lives, its type, sub-species, and if it is tame or wild.

   For wild specimens, they will need to choose if they desire to keep living with their family, join a clan, attempt to form one of their own, or become nomadic. The safest option is joining a powerful clan. Trying to form one is extremly difficult, since it implies stealing territory from another clan. Nomads are not well seen, and are often said to be Jape Snakes who try to hide something, so other JS tend to not trust them.

   For tame specimens, it's at around that age that they may be saddled (if Greater). It is also upon reaching maturity that they might get introduced to a potential mate.

   Jape Snakes can live up to 70 years, for Lessers, and 80, for Greaters. As they grow older, the snakes become more letargic, and incapable of hunting by themsevles. Certain clans will kick older snakes out of their territory, since they cannot contribute anymore to the different activities.