Death could be possible, too, in these civilizations. There were Schools for us randomly borne Animal types, which had Peerages speaking of the virtues of to be a Predator if they were, or a Guardian if they were other, musting for sake of Soul.

Rivals came in forms of actual other Serpents for me; I vs'd a Javan Spitting Cobra, and a Black and Yellow Mangrove Snake. I didn't get to eat them, though. I could only steal occasionally, getting used to ambushing comfortably with my body. The process of coiling for impressioning intrigues over an item taught me to wind and deflect. Worthy gambits to balance a sword for dueling. I never though learned to slither faster because of so, the mentality of it became just comforting that I tried. 

We did have Nobility, calling themselves Government - Presidents, Ministers, Mayors and the like. There was a Dystopia within the Metropolis occurring of those Animals that succeeded in eating another Animal, but won't exit towards the Kingdoms, instead conglamorating however. There was an overabundant amount of food grown, peacing the providence from losing it's territory.