Serpent

The serpent is a large, mysterious aquatic creature that inhabits the waters of the Earth Kingdom, specifically, the lakes surrounding what is aptly named the Serpent's Pass.

History
The serpent was encountered twice by Team Avatar, though it was hinted that its existence had been known of long before. The locals had in fact named the Serpent's Pass after it, although Sokka expected the pass was named for being very sinuous, like a snake. Fear of the serpent was instilled in nearby lore, as a sign at the entrance to the pass was emblazoned with the words abandon hope.



As they were trying to use the pass as an alternative to the ferry from Full Moon Bay, Team Avatar, who was traveling with Tahn, Ying and Tahn's sister across the Serpent's Pass to Ba Sing Se were attacked by the serpent. When the group reached a spot along the pass where the path ended and there was short stretch of water, Katara used her waterbending and to part the sea and travel in a small, capsule-like bubble under the waves. However, they were attacked by the serpent, resulting in Toph's near drowning. However, Suki rescued her, and Aang defeated the serpent with airbending.

Later, when the group was escaping Ba Sing Se on a captured Fire Nation warship commanded by Chief Hakoda and Bato, their ship ran into an actual Fire Nation destroyer right beside the Serpent's Pass. The Fire Nation captain interrogated Hakoda and let him pass, but realized as he was leaving that the ship's operators were not Fire Nation. He ordered an attack on the ship and very nearly destroyed it. Luckily, as the serpent rose up out of the water to attack the ship, a stray fireball hit it; angering it and causing it to attack the enemy ship, cleaving the vessel in half with its body.

Anatomy
Teal and purple scales cover its over one hundred foot-long body. It also has bright red eyes and a long, snakelike tongue (though it is not forked). It has two long, thin barbels and a set of small, sharp white teeth. Fins protrude from its side and head.

Connection
The serpent's overall design is based on the sea serpent in mythology; most notable in Western myths. The head and body is based on the sea horse, which is a long faced fish with frills and a prehensile tail. In overall anatomy and design, the serpent is based on a group of fish called the syngnathidae (seahorses and pipefish).

Behavior
This ferocious animal lives mostly on fish and other water creatures, but it will attack and eat just about anything - it has even been known to attack ships when looking for a meal. It lets out an extremely loud, blood-curdling scream just before it attacks.

Trivia



 * The serpent was featured in the Unaired Pilot episode of Avatar. It rose from the ocean and stood before Prince Zuko's ship. Later in the episode, the serpent's burned head is seen being brought into the fort where Zuko is staying.
 * It was also seen in the non-canonical short "School Time Shipping" in a tank in the classroom. It appears as a small seahorse rather than as a giant sea serpent.
 * The design of the serpent somewhat resembles the unagi.