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Common Name: Arbok
Scientific Name: Prosopo naja
Description: Arbok are huge snakes, measuring 11½ feet long, 7 inches thick in the middle, and capable of raising their heads 3 feet in the air. They have sleek, smooth scales, colored dark purple and banded with thin black stripes.
The most visible characteristic of the Arbok is its hood, which is composed of extendable ribs and loose skin. Arbok extend their hoods whenever they feel threatened, to enhance their already considerably intimidating appearance. The pattern on the front of the Arbok's hood is quite variable between populations, though it always resembles a face, with a large 'mouth' at the bottom and two eyespots. Six subspecies are currently classified, divided into 'pupiled' and 'non-pupiled' groups. The eyespots of Pupiled Arbok are complete with pupils, and are more common in Johto, while the non-pupiled Arbok have eyespots without pupils and are more common in Kanto. One Kanto subspecies, Prosopo naja colorietatis, has black stripes on the back of the hood.
Range: Arbok are found in several areas throughout Kanto and Johto, including the Cerulean Cape, the Tojoh area, and the foothills of both Mt. Mortar and the Kanto Victory Mountains.
Habitat: Arbok live in foothills and lowland forests, preferring dense broadleaf forest above all other habitats.
Call: Arbok boom and growl loudly, as well as making a disturbing, low, gargling hiss, usually accompanied with a spread hood.
Diet: Arbok are stealthy carnivores, hunting a variety of mid-sized pokemon, including Raticate, Jigglypuff, Psyduck, Poliwhirl, and even their cousins the Ekans. They are capable of dislocating their jaws to swallow particularly large prey, and may go several weeks between meals.
Arbok generally constrict their prey, but if they have trouble subduing them they will bite and inject deadly venom.
Life Cycle: Arbok mate in the spring, males tracking females by scent and entwining with them for hours. The females lay a clutch of up to 20 eggs in a well-mulched hole, and then leave them to fend for themselves.
Unlike as with Ekans, newborn Arbok are just as venomous as the adults, and are perfectly capable of killing with a bite. Arbok may live 40 years.
Relationship with Humans: Arbok are often sought in the arena for their powerful venom, and their numbers are declining due to capturing and habitat destruction. Some of the subspecies are considered endangered.
Naturalist's Notes: The six recognized subspecies of Arbok are P. naja colorietatis, the Striped Arbok, P. naja flavaludi, the Smallmouth Arbok, P. naja metallietatis, the Eastern Arbok, P. naja gemmaetatis, the Western Arbok, P. naja albaetatis, the Notched Arbok, and P. naja borealis, the Northern Arbok. All have subtly different hood patterns.
Arbok have no predators, and for good reason. If threatened by an inexperienced Scizor or Houndoom, they will rear up, spread their hood, and spit up corrosive stomach acid at the predator. This is usually enough to dissuade most any pokemon from attack, and if not, they will bring their venomous fangs to bear. Most pokemon are familiar with Arbok, and the mere sight of one is enough to cause terror.
Arbok spend much of their time basking, and are not normally aggressive toward humans, but their bites are extremely serious, attacking the nervous system and surrounding tissues. One bite contains enough venom to kill three Onix. If bitten, apply a tourniquet, call the nearest hospital, and pray.