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Common Name: Steelix, Haganeil
Scientific Name: Ferraserpens maximus
Description: The sight of a Steelix is not one that is easily forgotten. They are well known for being the largest land-dwelling pokemon, and the second largest pokemon in all the known regions. Large specimens can reach over 30 feet in length, measure 3 feet wide in the middle, and can rear their heads 9 feet into the air!
Steelix are serpentine and dull grey in color, with 7-9 segments of bony armor all along their body. Steelix's head is heavy, with an immense jaw armed with flat, block-like teeth. Their fierce red eyes are proportionally small, and sunken deep in their heads. Male Steelix have two fangs erupting from each side of the lower jaw, while females have one. Steelix's lower jaws have four bony flanges coming off the sides, which are mirrored by two small crests on the top of the head.
The tip of Steelix's tail is armored, and sharpens into a spine. Along their sides, Steelix have three pairs of spike-like extensions of their armor, poking out to either side like wings. These are believed to aid in locomotion.
Range: Steelix are native to most of Sinnoh, though their range today is highly diminished. They have been introduced to Johto, near Mt. Silver and in the Cliff Caves, where they are increasing in population.
Habitat: Steelix like hard, rocky substrates into which they can dig. They generally live in relatively dry upland areas, and are not tolerant of moisture. They have been found deeper underground than any other pokemon.
Call: When irritated, Steelix let out a low, rough roar. They may also communicate subsonically.
Diet: Steelix are generalist predators, hunting anything that comes into their tunnels. They mostly stay below ground to feed, but have been observed to lie in wait below the surface of the earth and ambush prey as well, much like their relatives the Onix. Steelix are well-known for eating Onix, mostly juveniles, and will brazenly break into Onix tunnels in search for the young. Steelix have also been known to kill and eat humans.
Steelix can go a long time between meals, simply staying still and feeling vibrations in their tunnels until something edible wanders up.
Life Cycle: Steelix have well-defined territories, and they will object strongly to the intrusion of another Steelix. Only in the mating season will females allow males into her territory. Steelix do not display the aboveground, clashing battles that Onix do, but males may occasionally fight underground, causing tremors strong enough to be picked up by nearby seismographs.
Female Steelix lay a clutch of eggs the size of basketballs in a dry, cool location, and leave them there. The hatchlings hunt within their mother's tunnels until they grow large enough to be competition, at which point she will chase them out.
Steelix that avoid being killed by other Steelix long enough to get their own territories can live a long time, some topping more than a century.
Relationship with Humans: It is no surprise, given Steelix's strength and size, that it is popular in the battling industry. Collecting, as well as simple extermination due to perceived danger to the public, has decimated this pokemon's wild populations. They are currently found only on Iron Island, Victory Island, and near Snowpoint.
Steelix are common in captivity, however, and have recently been spotted in Johto, apparently accidental introductions. These populations are increasing, and there is some concern about their impact on the local Onix populations.
On an anthropological note, Steelix armor was used by ancient peoples as a building material and to make tools.
Naturalist's Notes: Like Onix, Steelix dig extensive tunnels through mountains, making seemingly solid formations into something like holey cheese. However, while Onix tunnels are generally fairly shallow, Steelix tunnels can go extremely deep. The reason for such deep tunneling is unknown, but it may have to do with protection from other Steelix. Regardless of the reason for the depth of these tunnels, other pokemon will inhabit them, especially in winter, when they take shelter from the cold. Thus, through digging, Steelix supply themselves with food.