Sat, 26 Dec 98, Otherplane writes:
Evolution, the process of metamorphosing into another stage of being, through natural transition and climatic changes. Darwin manifested into this theory, although ironically, his research only created a mere fraction of a foundation of what we now know. Vast numbers of species went extinct without ever being accounted for. Only through discovery of fossils will these species be given their place in the evolutionary chain.
What if a certain species some how managed to evade mankind to survive the millennia of changes, and not affected by climatic conditions and a stressful environment. Such exclusion to the eyes of the society created an everlasting gap within the chain of this slithering creature.
This is the "Albino (White) Snake" of Northern America. This species of snake will grow to an enormous size due to the lack of natural predators to control their population explosion. Such phenomenon is very normal when isolated animals can enjoy their average life span without being eaten aside of its own species.
Thousands of years ago, a cataclysmic upheaval isolated a certain species of snake from the outside world, thus living only on what was left within the area. They were enclosed inside a mountain range. These mountain ranges became their home, not from the outside but from within.
The sudden change took away some of the snakes natural attributes compatible for the outside world, but enhanced new attributes to make their new environment livable. The lack of sunshine took away the natural colors thus creating no pigmentation within it's outer skin. It also took the eyesight due to the the darkness. On the other hand, the adaptation process took a very long time. Due to lack of constant movement, their metabolism changed, giving them an average life expectancy of around 32 years (that is if they survive that long). They have an average length of 40 feet and weigh over half a ton. The circumference of an adult "albino snake" averages around 2 feet. Unlike its outside cousins, the rattle snake, the "albino snakes", do not hibernate.They have a tendency to devour each other on contact and that is why they are extremely anti-social. During the mating season, the female will eat one of the younger males, so she can survive the gestation period. Only the bigger male will be succeessful in mating with a female. The rest of the younger and smaller males will avoid others or they will be eaten. The female will start mating somewhere around 15 years of age and will find a secluded place to bear her young. She will only mate every third year. The attrition rates are high due to the immediate danger when babies are born. Their only mode of escape is their speed and the ability to get into tiny spaces. The babies are born live.
| What if...Index | Otherplane Home Page |