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Common Name: Rhyhorn, Saihorn
Scientific Name: Tergoris unicorni
Description: Rhyhorn are thickset mammo-reptiles, plated with bone armor and very aggressive. They have thick, triangular skulls, which are equipped with a single, short horn, longer on the males. Bony plates cover all parts of Rhyhorn's body except for the underbelly, throat, and inside of the legs, and even the red eyes are set deep in their sockets. Their four legs each have two heavily clawed toes. Rhyhorn lack teeth in the front, having only a bony beak, and the teeth in the back are stubby and flat, with the exception of extended canines in males. Rhyhorn measure 39 inches long, and are 23 inches at the shoulder.
Range: Rhyhorn are found in scattered locations in eastern Kanto, though they were once more widespread. Rhyhorn have been introduced into Sinnoh's northeastern island and Hoenn.
Habitat: Rhyhorn live in open savannah and prairie with scattered scrublands, pushing through the thick grass with their broad heads.
Call: Rhyhorn let out a low growl before charging, and make a loud 'ee-yaw' during the mating season.
Diet: Rhyhorn are herbivores, clipping off tough grasses and herbs with their beaks.
Life Cycle: During the mating season, Rhyhorn males fight over females, shoving each other with their horns and slashing with their canines. The males can become quite seriously injured in these contests, which end with the victor mating with all the females in the area.
Rhyhorn females lay 2-3 eggs in sandy depressions, which they guard. When the calves hatch, they follow the mother around. She regurgitates food for her calves until they are two months old, at which point they switch to solid plant matter. Eventually, the calves separate and go their own way.
Rhyhorn live about 20 years.
Relationship with Humans: Rhyhorn have suffered greatly from habitat destruction, as prairies are converted into farms. Wild Rhyhorn are currently found in Kanto's Safari Zone and on the Cerulean Cape. The battle trade has wiped them out in other open areas.
On the other hand, Rhyhorn, along with many other Kanto species, have been introduced to the Northeastern Island of Sinnoh, where they seem to be flourishing despite the cold weather. Like many introduced Pokemon, during the winter they flock to the warm springs created by Stark Mountain. In Hoenn, the introduced Rhydon are contained in the Safari Zone reserve for the capturing by trainers.
Naturalist's Notes: Rhyhorn's aggressive nature is well known, and they instinctively charge anything they perceive as a threat. They have poor vision, and charge at swift movement. If you encounter one in the wild, move slowly and stay low to the ground to prevent charging.
Kangaskhan, Arcanine, and Charmeleon will hunt Rhyhorn, although they are not the favored prey of these predators.