Evelon - the Taisper

The Taisper can be found in watery habitats all over Evelon, mostly in swamps and estuaries. They are able to live in both salt and fresh water, though preferences may vary from individual to individual. They are fearsome predators which mostly eat fish, but will also snack on anything else which may come too close to the water. Even Clockwork pets are not safe; they will still vigorously defend their territory and their jaws are strong enough to crush metal.

Taispers have long brown horns on their noses which they use for attacking intruders larger than themselves. Males also use their horns and teeth for sparring when territories overlap or when breeding season comes around. When the Taisper swims just under the water in wait for prey, the horns would be mistaken for branches sticking out of the water. Their long bodies (twenty metres or more in adults) and eight legs give them incredible speed and agility both on land and in water, as they propel themselves forward by swaying their bodies like snakes. However, these reptiles are cold-blooded, and dislike environments that are too hot or too cold.

Poachers, which kill Taispers for their hides, obtain eggs to sell by killing a nesting female and taking her eggs. Those that want to adopt Taispers as pets must raise them from these eggs or as hatchlings, and even then they may occasionally severly injure their caretaker if accidentally provoked. Caretakers must bear in mind that domestic Taispers are claustrophobic and eat voraciously, but for some the benefits are worth it: adult and even adolescent Taispers make fantastic guards for the house.

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Entry for the create-a-pet contest on Evelon. This is the Taisper, which is based on the Black Caiman. Flat coloured for clarity, normally I'd shade this sort of thing but it looked alright like this so I kept it. The original colour scheme made it look like peanut butter and jelly, so I changed it XD But I always thought crododiles should be more like snakes somehow. Yes, I know the top sketch is kind of wierd, probably because I don't draw reptiles a lot.
(And in case you're wondering, all the Evelon stuff I do is signed QuirkyRabbit, because that's my username there. It's still me )