Plazu

The Plazu are an all-female sentient reptilian species native to Artidax.

History
The Plazu were created by the Great Beings and placed on Artidax. There, they thrived for millennia, as the island's climate remained untouched.

Description
As previously stated, the Plazu are an all-female species, and are known for being one of the most fragile species in all of the BIONICLE universe. They create children (which are referred to as "Pups") through what is essentially self-cloning, and as such there are almost no differences between any two Plazu. Without the ability to genetically mutate, their species is incapable of adapting to changing environments, and as such even minute changes such the lowering of a population of plant they feed off of could cause their numbers to plummet. Theoretically, they will at some point evolve the ability to adapt, however it is unlikely this will happen very soon.

Behavior
The Plazu are sentient, and their level intelligence has been compared to that of the Matoran species. As such, they are not officially Rahi, although they are subject to instinctual impulses. They are omnivorous, but mainly carnivorous, eating the little plant material on Artidax and hunting the native Rahi. As for personalities, which tend to vary, some Plazu are peaceful, while others are warlike, however all show extreme defensive behaviors, especially for their friends and family members.

Culture
The Plazu often collect together and live in communities referred to as families. Depending on the population density, these families can range from 4 to 50 members and are often biologically related. Whenever families arrive or leave, a celebration is held for the corresponding event.

The Plazu have a unique naming system. The first name is two shorter names hyphenated, the first being a unique name and the second being the Mother's first part of her first name. The last name, as with many humans, is a unique surname. An example of the naming system would be: Hypa-Jin Guardo, the daughter of Jin-Yelda Guadro, who is the daughter of Yelda-Cher Guadro, and so on.

Beliefs
As all genetic differences are minute between Plazu, they highly value difference and uniqueness, especially since they have varying personalities. On the contrary, Plazu who are very similar, whether it be because of close relation or through coincidence, are believed to have a preordained bond between each other, and are prophesied that if they work together in the future they will both obtain great success.

Before a Plazu becomes old enough to bear daughters, she is sent on a coming-of-age hunting trip which can last up to a week. It is believed that no matter what she brings back, she will have successfully grown up into an adult, although depending on the game she brings she may become more or less successful in life. Other smaller events are held whenever children are born, and some Plazu families have been known to celebrate the Matoran holiday of Naming Day.

Powers and Abilities
Being reptilian, the Plazu have a heightened sense of smell, as well as the ability to "see" in the infrared spectrum, which is effectively heat-seeing vision. However, as they are cold-blooded, they are unable to control their body temperature.

All Plazu have the ability to regenerate lost limbs, and are also capable of detaching them at will. They are also capable of changing their appearance to a massive degree, from becoming invisible, to mimicking an environment or dangerous beast. Some are able to augment their powers to the point where they can disguise themselves as other beings.

The most powerful ability of the Plazu is also their most infamous. The moment that another being makes eye contact direct (i.e. not using a reflective surface) with a Plazu, even if for a split second, the victim will become hypnotized and will do whatever the Plazu tells them to do. Other Plazu are immune to this ability.

Trivia

 * To accommodate for their hypnotizing glare, when meeting with a member of a different species for a non-hostile encounter, the Plazu often blindfold themselves to avoid hypnotizing their ally, relying on their heat-seeing to get around.