HOME | DD

Description
Introduction

An Onix is a tube-shaped, segmented Pokemon commonly found living in the soil beneath mountains. An enormous Pokemon, Onix ranks as one of the most physically durable species, though, due to their scavening nature, they offer little in the way of offense.

Appearing to be comprised mostly of rock, Onix actually possess organic tissue hidden within their exoskeleton in a manner similar to tunicates. With advanced age and activity, this exoskeleton will gradually erode and an Onix's vertebrae will resemble smooth stones; at this point in their life, Onix will dig deep into the earth's crust and undergo the metamorphic process that allows it to become a Steelix.

Physiology and Biology

By far some of the largest Pokemon, the body of an Onix is surrounded by a test of tough cartilaginous material. This exoskeleton is composed of proteins and complex carbohydrates and includes tunicine, a variety of cellulose. One of the features of this exoskeleton that make it noteworthy is that it is capable of growing as the Pokemon enlarges, and does not need to be periodically shed (though considerable portions of older material are worn off as the Onix burrows). Within this durable exoskeleton is the Onix's mantle, or body wall; this is composed of connective tissue, muscle fibres, blood vessels, and nerves.

The gut of an Onix is a straight tube that extends from the Pokemon's mouth to its cloaca. This tube is differentiated into a buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus,crop, gizzard, and intestine. With the exceptions of the heart, gonads, and pharynx, these organs are enclosed in a tough membrane called an epicardium.

Behavior and Ecology

Found in all areas of the world, Onix travel underground by the means of waves of muscular contractions which alternately shorten and lengthen the body. The shortened part is anchored to the surrounding soil by small setae set along the spine of the Pokemon (giving the species the feel of sandpaper). The activity of Onix aerates and mixes the soil, and is conducive to mineralization of nutrients and uptake of them by vegetation.

Rarely, Onix have been known to come to the surface and graze on the higher concentrations of organic matter present there, mixing it with the mineral soil.

Reproduction and parenting

Onix are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female sexual organs, usually located within segments 9 to 15. Mating occurs on the surface, and primarily at night; the mating pair overlap front ends ventrally and each exchanges sperm with the other. Some time after copulation, long after the two Onix have separated, the Onix injects its own eggs and the other Pokemon's sperm into its cloaca; within a few hours, the Onix then deposits the fertilized egg, resembling a viscous cocoon, deep within its burrow.

A baby Onix emerges as a small and delicate, but fully formed, Onix, but lacking sex structures, which do not develop until 60 to 90 days have passed. An Onix will typically attain full size in about 2 years.

Description
Introduction

An Onix is a tube-shaped, segmented Pokemon commonly found living in the soil beneath mountains. An enormous Pokemon, Onix ranks as one of the most physically durable species, though, due to their scavening nature, they offer little in the way of offense.

Appearing to be comprised mostly of rock, Onix actually possess organic tissue hidden within their exoskeleton in a manner similar to tunicates. With advanced age and activity, this exoskeleton will gradually erode and an Onix's vertebrae will resemble smooth stones; at this point in their life, Onix will dig deep into the earth's crust and undergo the metamorphic process that allows it to become a Steelix.

Physiology and Biology

By far some of the largest Pokemon, the body of an Onix is surrounded by a test of tough cartilaginous material. This exoskeleton is composed of proteins and complex carbohydrates and includes tunicine, a variety of cellulose. One of the features of this exoskeleton that make it noteworthy is that it is capable of growing as the Pokemon enlarges, and does not need to be periodically shed (though considerable portions of older material are worn off as the Onix burrows). Within this durable exoskeleton is the Onix's mantle, or body wall; this is composed of connective tissue, muscle fibres, blood vessels, and nerves.

The gut of an Onix is a straight tube that extends from the Pokemon's mouth to its cloaca. This tube is differentiated into a buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus,crop, gizzard, and intestine. With the exceptions of the heart, gonads, and pharynx, these organs are enclosed in a tough membrane called an epicardium.

Behavior and Ecology

Found in all areas of the world, Onix travel underground by the means of waves of muscular contractions which alternately shorten and lengthen the body. The shortened part is anchored to the surrounding soil by small setae set along the spine of the Pokemon (giving the species the feel of sandpaper). The activity of Onix aerates and mixes the soil, and is conducive to mineralization of nutrients and uptake of them by vegetation.

Rarely, Onix have been known to come to the surface and graze on the higher concentrations of organic matter present there, mixing it with the mineral soil.

Reproduction and parenting

Onix are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female sexual organs, usually located within segments 9 to 15. Mating occurs on the surface, and primarily at night; the mating pair overlap front ends ventrally and each exchanges sperm with the other. Some time after copulation, long after the two Onix have separated, the Onix injects its own eggs and the other Pokemon's sperm into its cloaca; within a few hours, the Onix then deposits the fertilized egg, resembling a viscous cocoon, deep within its burrow.

A baby Onix emerges as a small and delicate, but fully formed, Onix, but lacking sex structures, which do not develop until 60 to 90 days have passed. An Onix will typically attain full size in about 2 years.