Hydra

Hydra
One of a Hydra's Neck
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fābula
Division:	Assecula
Class:	Foemina
Order:	Bēluae
Family:	Inferiōra
Genus:	Recidīvae
Species:	R. Palūdēs
Binomial name
Recidīvae Palūdēs

The Hydra is one of the most feared of the Fābulae. In spite of their appearance Hydras are not a subset of drakons, but rather they are their own species. Most hydras live in the water, preferring to inhabit swamps and marshes, though they can be found in lakes, rivers, caves, and even sometimes in the ocean.

Hydras are native primarily to the swamps of Aquitinia, being found most commonly in the regions of Epars, Northern Lakkos, Southern Lakkos, and Bassin. Generally speaking, Hydras tend to avoid major places, such as cities, preferring to hide in the savage wilderness. Part of this is because of their size, while part is because they cannot process grains, setting their diet apart from most Aquitinians.

Hydras are most famous for their extreme regenerative abilities, capable of healing grave wounds quickly. While not the only Aquitinian species with notably effective regenerative abilities, Hydras are especially famous because their necks also multiply when severed. In some ways this can cause hydras to become more dangerous when hurt, though the heads don’t always entirely agree with one another.

Etymology

It is not conclusively known to researchers how the word Hydra came about. The most popular theory is that their name comes from “hydro”, meaning water. Some proponents of the theory believe that this simply comes from hydras often living in the water. More fringe theorists propose that, because the bodies of hydras are often entirely submerged, leaving only their necks visible, when people first encountered them they believed hydras to be water elementals. However, there is little archeological evidence to support the latter claim.

History

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Modern Living

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Biology

Physiology

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Reproduction and Maturation

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Consumption

Hydras are obligate carnivores, being only able to consume flesh and dairy. This sets them apart from most Aquitinians, which are able to consume grains on addiction to meat and dairy products. Hydras are also ravenous eaters, and are known to eat as much as possible whenever they get the chance. This can lead to the bodies of hydras becoming quite heavy, though all of the hydras fat energy storage is kept within its body proper, and thus doesn’t inhibit the movement of its heads. However, in practice hydras rarely get the chance to bloat themselves anyways. Usually this only occurs when hydras are brought into civilization, such as when Zepha, a feral hydra that was exploing the sewers of Ardeaux, was taken as a pet by crown princess Phoebe Ioannes in 1830.