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Common Name: Dunsparce, Nokochi
Scientific Name: Terraserpens microptera
Description: Dunsparce are thick-bodied, limbless reptiles, measuring 5 feet long and six inches thick in the middle. They are mostly dull yellow in color with pale blue bars on their back, as well as blue rings around their eyes and a blue underbelly. They have two blue barbells on their chins, used to feel ahead in darkness. Dunsparce's pale eyes have horizontal pupils.
Dunsparce have a set of white 'wings,' actually specialized, erectable scales. On the end of a Dunsparce's tail is a large, flattened spine, similar to a spade.
Range: Dunsparce are native to the cave systems of Johto. A population of unknown ancestry can also be found on Kin Island.
Habitat: Dunsparce are strictly cave dwellers, rarely leaving their networks of tunnels.
Call: Dunsparce are mostly silent, but when agitated or disturbed will let out a rough, explosive growl.
Diet: Dunsparce are carnivores, eating small pokemon such as Geodude, Shuckle, and Diglett. They will often follow their prey's scent into their burrows while they are away, then wait for them there.
Life Cycle: Dunsparce are not territorial. Males search out receptive females by scent, and while they may growl and bluff at other males, they rarely fight.
Female Dunsparce lay up to a dozen eggs in a burrow, and seal them in. The Dunsparce young are independent at birth, and are avid diggers by instinct. They feed off of insects as they grow, and shed their skin several times until they reach adult size.
Dunsparce may live to be up to 30 years old.
Relationship with Humans: Dunsparce have a naturally limited range, and are uncommon. However, they are not considered endangered.
Children's stories often portray Dunsparce as capable of flying, but of course they are not. Their apparent 'wings' are for a different purpose, as described below.
Naturalist's Notes: The Dunsparce's erectable dorsal scales are a form of defense. When this pokemon is threatened by a predator, such as Ursaring, it digs rapidly backwards with its tail spade, often burying itself entirely within a few seconds. If the predator is persistent, and tries to pull the Dunsparce out of its hole, it erects its scales, effectively wedging itself into the tunnel and thwarting the predator. A predator attacking from behind has a different problem: the spadelike tail, which a threatened Dunsparce will thrash around, attempting to injure the predator.