Jaculi

Jaculis were agile, tree-dwelling creatures that resembled snakes.

Description
Jaculis looked like snakes with mauve to dark purple scales and an arrow-shaped head topped with sharp, forward-pointing horns. Some members of this species displayed heads that were more broad and flat, with razor-edged horns projecting as a ridge on either side.

Behavior
These creatures were not innately aggressive or hostile towards others, though they were very territorial and easily excitable.

Abilities
Jaculis were capable of camouflaging themselves, comparable to the famed ability of a chameleon, changing the color of their skin to match their surroundings. They were also known to be talented climbers and swimmers. Some described them as being capable of launching themselves with a force and accuracy comparable to that of javelins.

Combat
Jaculis lured in their prey with animal trance, then attacked with its sharp horns and its ability to constrict. If a foe proved too troublesome, jaculis jumped from tree to tree to escape, then swung around and pursued the prey for a better opportunity.

Diet
Jaculis subsisted primarily on a diet of tree moss and insects.

Habitats
Jaculis could live in nearly any environment, though being serpents they had a preference for warm climates. Furthermore, being arboreal creatures they were typically encountered in forests and jungles, though some were known to adapt to living within buildings that had many pillars.

In Interior Faerûn, jaculis could be found in the jungle within the Cathedral of Emerald Scales.

Notable jaculi
Moa, one of the Nine Trickster Gods of Chult, was a jaculi.

Trivia
Serphidians were able to shapechange into jaculi through use of their specially granted snake skin spell.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * A Day at the Races
 * Novels:
 * The Lost Library of Cormanthyr
 * The Orc King
 * Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf (mentioned)
 * Board Games
 * Tomb of Annihilation
 * Video Games
 * Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms