Because of the late bonding, the staff tended to behave more violently than it would otherwise. Often it would hiss and snap its jaws upon sensing someone approach Nem, acting in some capacity as an early warning device. As with a rare few amphistaff varieties, Shem-Veesu had a large scaled hood that extended from the sides of its head and neck area. Capable of expanding to several inches in length, the hood was able to serve in the capacity of an axe when the creature became rigid. Also due to its considerable length, the weapon was able to spit venom several meters further than most amphistaffs, sometimes reaching a maximum distance of twenty-five meters.