[HPforGrownups] Re: Nagini

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 84032



>>Astrid said:
>>Could Nagini turn out to be the snake that Harry released at the
>>zoo? Another of LVs inner cabinet who owes Harry a debt?

>-LIWY:
>I've come across this suggestion before, but I believe the biggest
>argument against that idea is that there is no hint that Harry
>recognizes her.

Iggy here:

There's also the fact that the snake in the zoo is specifically identified
by a sign stating

"Boa Constrictor, Brazil"
(ch 2, pg 28, US ed. paperback.)

As we know, constrictors aren't venomous in the slightest.


On the other hand, The Cold Blooded News (The Newsletter of the Colorado
Herpetological Society) at
www.coloherp.org/cb-news/Vol-29/cbn-0203/KingCobra.php
lists the following information about the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

The king cobra is an Elapid, but it is placed in a separate genus,
Ophiophagus, from the true cobra, Naja, and is the only species in the
Ophiophagus genus. The king cobra is considered to be the longest venomous
snake, with a maximum length of 18 feet (5.4m). However, due to its
threatened status, it is very rare to find king cobras approaching this
length. Most of these snakes in captivity are an average of 13 feet (3.9m).

By this description, the snake Nagini, could easily be a King Cobra, in
accordance with the following excerpt:

  "Something was slithering toward him along the dark corridor floor, and as
it drew nearer to the sliver of firelight, he realized with a thrill of
terror that it was a gigantic snake, at least twelve feet long."

(GoF, ch1, pg 13, US paperback ed.)

Adding in the following information:

naga-king:
Nagas are snake-spirits. They have the power to change their shape, their
females (nagini) often assuming the guise of beautiful women. Although they
inhabit the subterranean land of "Patala", they are connected with the water
element and have the power to bring rain.

Thus indicating that Nagini is the name of a female Naga, and as the name
originates from an area known to revere cobras, King Cobras in particular,
it can be logically deduced that Nagini is most likely a female King Cobra.


Iggy McSnurd