Disclaimer: What? Pokemon belongs to Nintendo? Oh darn.
Common Name: Golem, Golonya
Scientific Name: Myriotonos saxum
Description: Golem are large, reptilian pokemon, standing 55 inches tall on two legs, though they may also walk on all fours. They have a dark grey, almost spherical shell with the thick limbs and head a lighter brown. The shell is covered with large, irregular, dark-edged scutes, and the rest of the body has finer scales. They have four toes and three fingers, all tipped with claws, and a false 'fifth toe' that points backwards, actually an extension of the heel bone.
The Golem's head juts forward at almost the same level as the arms, and its spine arcs above its head. Its eyes are red, and it has blunt, conical teeth.
Range: Golem have a very small, fractured range, living in Kanto and Johto's northern mountain ranges.
Habitat: Golem live in high alpine regions.
Call: Golem make a throaty, grunting roar, as well as 'burps' during the mating season.
Diet: Golem are herbivores, chewing up underbrush, grasses, and wildflowers.
Life Cycle: The most important resource for Golem males is a good territory, which will support many females. They mark their territories with a fascinating 'rolling' behavior, tucking their limbs into their shells until their bodies are a rough sphere, then rolling down the mountain side. They will do this over and over, until their bodies have worn a deep groove into the earth. This not only sends a clear message to rival about their size and strength, but also advertises to females that they have the free time and resources to take part in such a repetitive and energy-intensive activity.
During spring, Golem males mate with any females in their territory, courting them by burping (very sexy) and nudging them relentlessly. The females are similarly promiscuous, and will often 'tour' territories, looking for the best male. Males attempt to prevent females from mating with other males by 'guarding' her, but she often gives him the slip.
After a week, the female digs a scrape in which she lays her 8-10 eggs. She piles earth on top of them and leaves them to hatch on their own. The young Golem hatch in two months, and dig their way out of the nest before dispersing. As they grow, Golem must shed their shells, which are not attached to their skeletons but are rather composed of scutes set in their skin. They emerge pale and soft, and often take refuge in caves and old Onix tunnels as their shell hardens. Golem take up to ten years to reach adult size.
Golem can live to be up to 67 years old, and possibly longer.
Relationship with Humans: In past years, Golem, due to their great defense, were often caught for the arena, though in today's battle trade faster pokemon are more popular. Golem are making a slow comeback, but mining and timber harvesting still threaten their habitats. They are considered threatened, and may not be captured on public lands.
On the other hand, in remote areas where Golem are still common, it is not unusual for these creatures to be considered pests, knocking down trees and destroying buildings as they mark their territories by rolling. They are often dealt with by building trenches to divert them away from structures, but this of course interferes with their marking, and causes a higher rate of territorial confrontation.
Naturalist's Notes: Though few predators will bother trying to chew through the shell of an adult Golem, young Golem are very vulnerable, especially as they shed their shells. They often tuck in their limbs to resemble piles of stones when they sense the slightest disturbance. Charizard, Onix, and Moltres may eat them.