Pileated Snagret

The Pileated Snagret is a less common known species of Snavian that's been discovered underground within PNF-404.

Description
This giant species is the most powerful, and most dangerous species of Snavian known. Its whole body, with the exception of the head, is covered in hardened green scales. Its head is covered in orange feathers, and it is called the "pileated" Snagret due to the orange feathered head crest. Its beak, is curved, with the upper jaw overlapping the lower jaw and its nostrils placed far back on its beak.

Highly evolved compared to its smaller relative, the Pileated Snagret is capable in both subterranean and surface hunting: able to move above ground on its back foot in large hops after prey. It is so far the only Snavian capable of doing so, as other Snavians use this foot to push themselves through their own tunnels, unable to balance.

Behavior
Like other Snavians, Pileated Snagrets hunt their prey in ambush attacks from under the ground. But unlike other Snavians who reborrow after an ambush, it will proceed to chase prey above ground. It doesn't have good eyesight, but it makes up for it in a thermal-sensing organ in its nostrils similar to true snakes, making it a very efficient predator.