Color Focus - Local Fauna
Local Fauna
Though the local swamplands are known for their plethora of interesting plant life, these ecosystems also house an immense amount of animal life. From native reptiles to invasive rodents, this region boasts a immense blend of wetland animals. The following is far from totality, and only represents a humble number of animals to be found in this wild and bountiful landscape.
Alligator
The alligator is the most sought after inhabitant of the swamp and is the largest reptile in the area. The size of the alligator can generally be determined by the number of inches between its eyes and the end of its snout and their lifespan can reach up to 80 years.
Amphibians and Lizards
Examples of amphibians are salamanders such as the eastern tiger salamander, southern red-backed salamander, waterdog, dwarf salamander and the three-toed amphiuma. There are also toads such as Hurter's spadefoot toad and southern toad, as well as frogs such as pig frog, striped chorus frog and the bronze frog. Bullfrogs are the largest "natural" frogs native to the local swamps, but giant toads, bullywugs and even kuo-toa can be found there. Many types of lizards live in the area as well, including but not limited to six-lined racerunners, various types of skink, horned lizards, slender glass lizards, green and brown anole, geckos and giant lizards.
Birds
Magnificent birds inhabit the swamp such as Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets. Many other species can be seen on as well, from pelicans to loons, conyure, cuckoos, owls, hawks, peacocks, various parrots and warblers. Bald Eagles are also a fan of the area for they prefer to nest in sturdy trees like cypresses, something the swamps has in abundance.
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| Green Conyure |
Beaver
Beavers are common throughout the waterways and riparian areas. They continue to grow throughout their lives and can reach 65 pounds and up to four feet in length. They range in color from reddish brown to almost black. Aside from their easily recognizable homes, beavers themselves are one of the most iconic members of the rodent family with their webbed hind feet and broad, flat, scaly tail. While they have poor eyesight, beavers have a keen sense of smell and use it to detect predators, find food and recognize family members. Contrary to popular belief, beavers do not eat fish; they are herbivores eating a variety of aquatic plants and the soft inner bark of trees. It has been said that next to humans, beavers do more to shape their environment than any other animal. Beavers build dams across waterways creating ponds behind them and then build their lodges in the center of the pond. The lodges have an underwater entrance, keeping the beavers safe from predators.
Black Bear
The omnivorous black bear is large and stocky and has a short tail. Adults range from 4.3 to 6.2' in length and weigh 132–661 pounds, the largest males growing to 6.6' and 902 pounds. Males can be up to 70 percent heavier than females. The head is small but is supported by a strong neck. The ears are small and rounded. The curved claws are nonretractile, and, unlike cats and dogs, bears walk on the soles of their feet (plantigrade locomotion).
Kuo-toa
Unlike in other worlds, the kuo-toa live above ground and make their homes along and within the swampy areas of the coast and the bayous inland. Kuo-toa are normally 5' tall and weigh approximately 160 pounds. Contrasting with their paunchy shape are their arms and legs, slender and lithe despite their relative shortness. At the end of each limb are broad, distended and partially webbed hands and feet. Each extremity has three main digits and one opposing digit at its end. Topping their bodies are bullet-shaped, piscine heads hosting a mouthful of sharp teeth and a pair of bulging silver-black eyes capable of independently swiveling to observe a situation. Their bodies are covered in blue-gray scales with yellowish undertones in males, which could vary in pigmentation based on their emotional state, such as a dark red when angered and a ghostly white when terrified. Coating their rubbery skin and piscine scales was a layer of slippery slime that gave their bodies a glimmering sheen.
Unlike in other worlds, the kuo-toa live above ground and make their homes along and within the swampy areas of the coast and the bayous inland. Kuo-toa are normally 5' tall and weigh approximately 160 pounds. Contrasting with their paunchy shape are their arms and legs, slender and lithe despite their relative shortness. At the end of each limb are broad, distended and partially webbed hands and feet. Each extremity has three main digits and one opposing digit at its end. Topping their bodies are bullet-shaped, piscine heads hosting a mouthful of sharp teeth and a pair of bulging silver-black eyes capable of independently swiveling to observe a situation. Their bodies are covered in blue-gray scales with yellowish undertones in males, which could vary in pigmentation based on their emotional state, such as a dark red when angered and a ghostly white when terrified. Coating their rubbery skin and piscine scales was a layer of slippery slime that gave their bodies a glimmering sheen.
Lizardfolk
Lizardfolk are semi-aquatic reptilian humanoids. Their skin is covered in scales and vary in color from dark green through to shades of brown and gray. Taller than humans and powerfully built, lizardfolk are often between 6 and 7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) tall and weigh between 200 and 250 pounds (90.7–113 kg). Lizardfolk have non-prehensile muscular tails that grew to three or four feet in length, and these are used for balance. They also have sharp claws and teeth. They are intelligent enough to use weapons of various sorts, ranging from stolen axes to crudely made short bows and spears.
Nutria
Nutria, or river rats, are large, invasive rodents that live in the bayous. These semi-aquatic, webbed-toe rodents are a bit smaller than a beaver and thrive in the marshes near Ville des Marai. They feed on the roots of marsh plants, making it hard for the plants to grow back. The most shocking characteristic of the nutria is their orange front teeth.
Otters
River otters are cute and playful and are another type of animal found in the swamp. They are equally comfortable on land and in water. With webbed feet, they are excellent swimmers and their diet includes birds, small rodents, frogs, crabs and fish.
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| Otter |
Panther
Panthers are spotted at birth, and typically have blue eyes. As the panther grows, the spots fade and the coat becomes completely tan, while the eyes typically take on a yellow hue. The panther's underbelly is a creamy white, and it has black tips on the tail and ears. Panthers lack the ability to roar, and instead make distinct sounds that include whistles, chirps, growls, hisses, and purrs. Panthers are average-sized for the species, being smaller than cougars from colder climates, but larger than cougars from the Neotropics. Adult female panthers weigh 64–100 lbs, whereas the larger males weigh 100–159 lbs. Total length is from 5.9-7.2' and shoulder height is 24–28". Male panthers, on average, are 9.4% longer and 33.2% heavier than females because males grow at a faster rate than females and for a longer time.
Snakes
As with many wetland regions, Louisiana’s swamps are a fitting habitat for snakes like Western cottonmouth pit vipers, copperheads, speckled king snakes, and corn snakes. While cottonmouths and copperheads are two of the state’s seven venomous snake species, the speckled king snake hunts by constricting its prey.
Turtles
Large, horned turtles like the alligator snapping turtles can be spotted in the swamp, swimming or resting on logs. Its cousin, the common snapping turtle is also prevalent as well as soft shell turtles, depending on the time of year. Tortles, while rare, have been sighted.
Wild Pig
Ville des Marai's feral hog population is around 700,000 and growing. Feral hogs are considered an invasive species that is known to uproot plants, increase erosion, and contaminate waterways. Wild pigs are typically black, with longer fur than their barnyard cousins, and tend to travel in groups, foraging for wetland plants.
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| Wild Pig |