Alligator Snakes

Growing up to twenty feet in length, Alligator Snakes are the masters of their domain. Though closely resembling pythons, they are actually more nearly related to alligators, though their bodies have lengthened and their legs shortened over time. Excellent swimmers, they are most at home in the water, where they find their easiest prey: fish. Nevertheless, they also are at home enough on land to catch rodents and even climb trees to prey on nesting frogs. Alligator Snakes are fiercely territorial, and it is rare to find more than one within miles of another except during mating season. The females bury their eggs in mud, but take no care of their young once born.

 

Though arguably not a keystone species, Alligator Snakes are perfectly adapted to their environment and it is hard to envision anything else filling their niche half as well. They consume a wide variety of species, but perhaps most importantly they control the flying frog population, which, left unchecked, could severely damage the Vampire Beatle population, which in turn would have far-reaching affects on the system as a whole.