Snakes and Lizards

Cobras

King Cobra

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the largest species of venomous snake. They can reach 18ft in length and when confronted they can stand up to 6ft. Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce (seven milliliters)—is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant. King cobras live mainly in the rain forests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia. They eat mainly other snakes, venomous and non-venomous. They are the only snakes in the world that build nests for their eggs, which they guard until the hatch-lings emerge.

There are over 2,900 species of snakes with a wide variety of colors and size. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. They all have scales, breathe air, and are ectothermic (rely on environment for their heat.)

...do the snakes in-game molt? They don't really change size or grow over time, so I guess there wouldn't be a need to shed their skin.

below: Thread snake (Leptotyphlops carlae), right-top: Eyelash viper (Bothriechis Schlegelii), right-middle: Green Pitviper (Trimeresurus gumprechti), right-bottom: Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

MoP Snake skin improvement!

There has been a wonderful improvement in the Boa or python type of snake in game. These "elder pythons" are thick bodied with an excellent head shape for the real life animal on which they are based. I came to a stop on the Isle of Thunder in the 5.2 patch when I saw them and just watched them move around for a bit. Not hat Blizzard has to copy anything exactly, but I do really enjoy it when they try and then get it right.

Green Tree Python - Michael Ransburg - flickrcc

Python 1 - Bois Kowski - flickrcc

Rainbow boa - batwrangler - flickrcc

Wind Serpent

I think these guys are a representation of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god whose name means "Feathered Serpent." He was said to control the wind and rains, the earth and fertility. Wind Serpents have a lightning attack. It makes sense to me.

Warp Stalkers

They appear to be fairly reptilian, so I put them in this section. They have legs, so they're not snakes, no shells so not a turtle and their snouts aren't long enough to be crocodiles, thus they are lizards. In the picture of the lizards below you can see the vibrant colors present in meat-space lizards.

Above: Crested Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons), Kenyan Rock Agama (Agama lionotus elgonis),
Red Headed Rock Agama (Agama agama)

Basilisk

So, there is a picture of a Basilisk lizard above and that doesn't appear to be the template used. I think they were going for the legendary beast that could turn you to stone or put you to sleep or kill you with its stare. And the fact that there is a quest in Deepholm where you collect bats that have been turned to stone by the Basilisks is a pretty good indicator that the mythical beast is their inspiration.

Spite Darter

Lizard...with wings.

Maybe chameleon based?