Cerastes

The cerastes is serpent that is incredibly flexible— so much so that it is said to have no spine. Cerastae can have either two large ram-like horns or four pairs of smaller horns. The cerastes hides its head in the sand with only the horns protruding out of the surface; this is meant to deceive other animals into thinking it is food. When the animal approaches the cerastes, the cerastes promptly kills it.

Used with Permission from Bhu of the Wizards Community forums.

Cerastes
Large magical beast
Hit Dice	3d10+6(21 hp)
Initiative	+7
Speed	20 ft. (4 squares), burrow 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class	15 (-1 Size, +3 Dexterity, +3 Natural), touch 12, flat footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple	+3/ +15
Attack	Bite+3 melee(1d4/18-20 + Poison)
Full Attack	Bite +3 melee(1d4/18-20 + Poison)
Space/Reach	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Poison, Burrowed Ambush, Piercing Bite
Special Qualities	Scent, Low-Light Vision, Dark Vision 60′, Hold Breath, Spineless, Tremor Sense 10′
Saves	Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +2
Abilities	Strength 10, Dexterity 17, Constitution 15 Intelligence 5, Wisdom 12, Charisma 2
Skills	Balance +11 Climb +8, Escape Artist +14 Hide +10, Listen +5, Spot +5, Swim +8
Feats	Improved Initiative, Ability Focus (Poison)
Environment	Temperate Forest or Marsh
Organization	Solitary
Challenge Rating	5
Treasure	None
Alignment	Neutral
Advancement	4-8 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment	—-

Combat

A Cerastes will always remain burrowed waiting until an opponenet trips its Tremor Sense, at which point it will attack via its Burrowed Ambush ability. If outnumbered, or an opponent seems especially resistant to its venom, it will flee.

Poison (Ex)

Save DC 14, Initial and Secondary Damage 3d6 Constitution

Burrowed Ambush (Ex)

By taking a full round action the Cerastes can completely bury itself other than its 4 horns, two of which look like potential food. Whenever something gets within 10′ it trips off the Cerastes Tremor Sense, and it strikes. While buried it is considered to have complete Concealment. Opponents can make a Knowledge Nature Check (DC 20) to realize what the horns are and avoid them if they are from an area where the Cerastes are known. Opponents who fail the Knowledge Check fall victim to the ambush. The Cerastes attack during the surprise round gets a +4 Circumstance Bonus to attack and Damage rolls, and the Save DC for its Poison raises to a 16.

Piercing Bite (Ex)

The Cerastes Bite criticals on a natural 18 or higher.

Hold Breath (Ex)

A Cerastes can hold its breath for a number of hours equal to 3 x its Constitution score before it begins to suffocate.

Spineless (Ex)

A Cerastes is incredibly flexible, and has no spine. This gives it a + 8 Racial Bonus to Escape Artist and Grapple checks. It may Bite in any direction, even directly behind it without problem regardless of what direction its facing.