Limbless mule

The limbless mule, farm snake or P. Erazm is a large non-venomous snake of South Apollonia. The snake is a member of the Pythonidae family. The names limbless mule and farm snake were both given to the species by Alriggians who were the first to domesticate the animal in the late 1650's. The scientific name P. Erazm was given in honor of the Alriggian Republic's president, Hieronim Erazm.

Characteristics

Hatchlings from P. Erazm range from 20 to 40 cm in total length. Adult snakes are usually between 150 to 170 cm, regardless of sex. The animals are much thicker than other snakes known to Micras but are not related to dragons. The snakes can reach an age of 25 to 30 Norton years in captivity, it is not known what age they reach in the wild. If the snakes are handled by an able snake handler, working snakes can reach almost the same age as snakes that are kept as pets or in zoological gardens.

Usage

In Alrig, limbless mules are used in agriculture. They are used to draw ploughs, where normally an oxen would have been used in other nations. Carts can also be drawn by limbless mules, but they are not considered to be fast enough for road use and the tarmac can wear out their underbelly. Apart from their use as a draft animals, limbless mules are also kept to keep an area free from rodents.