Tsuchinoko are snake-like creatures with midsections that are wider than their heads and tails. Their midsections typically look as if they have been flattened by a hammer. This inspired their name which means "child or hammer". They can be anywhere from 30 centimeters (about one foot) to 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) in length.

Their fangs and venom are similar to those found in vipers, but they are usually harmless. They will only attack people who wake them up. That being said, they should be avoided whenever possible since their venom is potent enough to kill a man instantly. Luckily, tsuchinoko are said to be extremely rare.

Only some tsuchinoko can speak, and those that do are notorious liars. All tsuchinoko are extremely fond of alcohol. Some say that they can jump up to a meter (roughly 39 inches) to strike those who anger them. When a tsuchinoko needs to get somewhere quickly, it will swallow its own tail and roll like a hoop. It shares this method of traveling with the hoop snake, a creature from folklore that is said to be found in the US, Canada, and Australia. In both cases, the idea of a snake rolling like a hoop likely originated from embellished stories of snakes swallowing their own tails.

FUN FACT: The concept of the tsuchinoko seems to have originated from the appearance of a snake that had eaten a very large meal.

Examples in various media:

Unnamed Tsuchinoko (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) This is a particularly strange example because this game takes place in the Soviet Union. If the player completes the game with the tsuchinoko in their inventory, then they will receive a special rank, camouflage, and a trophy/achievement. The player can also have Naked Snake eat the tsuchinoko to fully replenish his stamina.

Dunsparce (Pokémon)

Noko and Pandanoko (Yo-kai Watch)