Pokémon Biology

Hello! I'm Theodora, but you can call me Thea. I'm a Battle Girl turned Pokémon Researcher, and I'm excited to share my observations with you! Please read my FAQ page before sending asks. ko-fi.com/pokebiologist

[pokebiologist]

hello professor. do you think pokemon like darkrai and gardevoir can be service pokemon or at least emotional support pokemon if they bond strongly with their masters?

The phrase "service Pokémon" is relatively arbitrary- if a Pokémon provides a service to you, then one can argue that it is fulfilling the definitive requirement. The concept of an emotional support companion lies in a similar sphere- if owning said Pokémon improves your mood/mental health then it is supporting you emotionally.

Gardevoir can take a long time to raise and train, but they absolutely do possess traits and capabilities that are classically associated with both mantles. Darkrai would be significantly more unorthodox, largely due to their rarity and the inherent risk of training such a powerful Pokémon. But the wonderful thing about Pokémon is that a strong bond between trainer and Pokémon can overcome just about any obstacle. There is no strict limit based on either of the two parties' physiologies or abilities.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

How does the diet of Sobble or method of feeding change upon evolution into Drizzile and then Inteleon?

Sobble's diet is different compared to its evolved forms in one key respect. A Sobble needs to consume large amounts of foods naturally rich in sulfur in order for its tears to contain enough volatile sulfur molecules to induce crying in those nearby. Since Drizzile and Inteleon do not rely so heavily on this defense tactic they no longer preferentially select high-sulfur food items. These foods can include dark, leafy greens, eggs, some legumes and nuts, and alliums such as onions and scallions. It is important to feed these to a Sobble, but not a health priority post-evolution (although they may retain a preference for any of the aforementioned items as a personal favorite food).

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

Are Nidoran species, Rhyhorn-line & Bulbasaur-line more of mammals or reptiles? All of them share some attributes of both animal classes.

The Nidoran and Rhyhorn lines are mammalian, they produce milk for their young. And the Bulbasaur family is amphibian, as they lay their Eggs in bodies of shallow fresh water. Unlike other amphibious Pokémon, this is the main life stage which they spend in the water, but it's enough to qualify them! Their skin does need to be kept moist throughout their entire lives, of course.

-Thea

[figmas]

[pokebiologist]

I always wanted a Vileplume growing up, but I'm deathly allergic to Poison-type pokemon. Are there any pokemon that are similar to Vileplume I could raise? One that wouldn't make me break out in hives by being near, that is.

Yes, absolutely! Below is a list of Pokémon which are similar in appearance and behavior but are not Poison-Types.

Up first would be Bellossom. Their dispositions are quite distinct from Vileplume, but they are more popular among trainers for their ease of care and adorable appearance. If you are interested in raising a Pokémon from an Egg or its most base evolutionary form however, this is obviously not a viable option.

Shiinotic immediately came to mind as a Pokémon with a very similar ecology and battle strategy to Vileplume. Both Pokémon can thrive in low-light conditions making them quite hardy compared to other Grass-Types in this regard. Shiinotic does use many spore-based attacks, but none that it learns naturally is Poison-Type, so I am not confident about whether it would be damaging to your allergies.

If you are most interested in the floral, colorful element of Vileplume's aesthetic, and want a calm yet battle capable Grass-Type to embody this, both Lurantis and Lilligant would make an excellent partner.

If you prefer a Pokémon to embody more of the creepy/macabre side, Carnivine, Tangela, and Bramblin are all very capable Pokémon with slightly unorthodox appearances.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

Hello! I would like to ask a question. My daughter years ago got into an accident and became blind. She has an easier time nowadays guiding herself through our house, her school and our neighborhood, but she recently started to become melancholic over her friends leaving for their own journeys. What kind of Pokemon can I give my daughter and make sure they will protect her in the wild and unknown cities?

There are a great many Pokémon that make wonderful seeing-eye and guide service companions. This choice can come down to personal preference- after all, some folks strongly prefer canine Pokémon and some prefer a lack of fur. So I've grouped a few popular candidates by relative strengths:

Canine Pokémon have a well-deserved good reputation as service Pokémon. They are intelligent and loyal, and are hardy enough to navigate through a great many terrains and climates. The following are noted particularly for their patient and protective nature, and are further filtered for a complete lack of any potentially dangerous body parts that you wouldn't want your child touching or grabbing accidentally: Growlithe, Herdier, Dachsbun, Furfrou, and Mabosstiff.

Ridable Pokémon are increasingly popular among the blind community. Not only do they make navigating difficult terrain much safer, but they can carry items and so help prevent their trainers accidentally misplacing things, which can be a big help on long journeys for anyone! Of course, they may not be quite so viable in dense cities, so your daughter's particular destinations could inform whether these options are feasible: Mudsdale, Galarian Rapidash, Wyrdeer, and Gogoat.

Clever and dexterous Pokémon who are able to do things like: read signs and basic words; distinguish currency; remember faces; handle tools; and scout routes ahead of their trainers. These species may be especially helpful to trainers who were not born visually impaired, and may not have an intuitive sense yet for some tasks. A broad range of Pokémon can fit into this category, from avian species to those that can learn Telekinesis. Includes: Kadabra, Audino, Ambipom, Chatot, Sylveon, Medicham, Braixen, and Honchkrow.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

So I have a friend that I am asking for, but are there any fairy type Pokemon that are really good to help headaches, and are super strong against Psychic Types?

The main option I can think of for your friend is Cutiefly. They have access to certain moves via both breeding and TMs that can be used to help fight headaches, including Aromatic Mist and Calm Mind. And, as Bug-Types, they naturally learn attacks that are super effective against Psychic-Type Pokémon.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

I been told that Cacturne suck fluits out of other pokemon, and people occasionally in order to get water to survive the hars envoriments they call home. Is there any truth in this?

Yes, there is. It's not just water that Cacturne are gaining from their prey either, there are many bioavailable minerals and proteins floating around in our fluids that are highly beneficial for these Pokémon. Since many Grass-Type Pokémon, including Cacturne respire water as the metabolic currency for almost all their functions, it can be quite "expensive" to produce or modify these chemicals/nutrients/etc. on their own.

This also means that a Cacturne that has a trainer and is regularly fed poses almost no harm to others. They are naturally quite conservative with their physical activity and will not pursue people or other Pokémon if they have no need of it.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

Hey Thea! Love your insights on this blog.

My favorite pokemon being Morgrem, I naturally have a few of them (whom I affectionately refer to as my "sons") as well as a few Impidimps and Grimmsnarls. I'm a barber by trade, and so I am drawn to the fact that these pokemon have hair!

I am positive the hair grown by the Impidimp line isn't the same as hair on a human, given the way the pokemon can manipulate it. I would love it if you could shed some light on the biology of that hair, such as how they are able to manipulate it almost like a limb, or what would happen if the hair were to be cut- would it cause pain or affect the pokemon's abilities in some way? (Don't worry- I haven't come at my boys with the scissors yet!)

Thanks again for your work!

This is a wonderful question!

It is easy to casually describe the unique hairs of the Impidimp family as being akin to muscle fibers, but the comparison is more aesthetic than many realize. Muscles contract by essentially locking Velcro-esque protein fibers together, and the surface of these Pokémon's hairs has very similar properties at the micro level, meaning that targeted movement of a section of hairs in a specific direction can cause a chain of movements. These are still technically limited- in the same way that we can only move our arms in a certain number of ways, limited by the physical realities of our joints. Unlike our bony limbs, the specific movement pattern can be altered through grooming techniques. This is why many Grimmsnarl in elite battling circuits have distinct braids or other weaving structures over their bodies; it can facilitate more complex techniques or attacks.

It would be incredibly energetically costly if all their hairs- which already have a very complex surface structure- were also vascularized and innervated to the degree that would be necessary if they were true muscle. Instead, they have essentially a hydropneumatic system of natural body oils at the base of each hair cluster which supplies directed movement to trigger the action of the hair. So to finally answer your question, no, it does not cause physical pain to cut their hair. For functionality's sake, it is important not to puncture or damage the oil centers (this would, in fact, also cause pain). Fortunately, they are quite close to the body and are visible to the trained eye. Additionally, there are very few instances I can even think of where someone would want to cut their Pokémon's hair that short, anyways.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

I’ve always been fascinated by both Dragon and Fossil Pokémon growing up, but don’t really have the ability to house larger, aggressive species. Are there any (of either category) that might do well in an urban environment? Perhaps a good “starter” for someone wanting to begin working with said types?

Thank you! 💕

This is a great and very responsible question!

I'm hesitating to give the standard answer of "just get a tank of Tatsugiris as a low-effort Dragon," because I have to imagine that doesn't quite align with the actual goal you have. Below is a list of calm, easily trainable Pokémon that can thrive in urban areas, which also have an archaic, epic air to their appearances.

Of all the Fossils, Omanyte are generally regarded as the easiest to keep. They can tolerate a decently wide range of both water temperature and salinity, and enjoy tactile enrichment so much that they can happily occupy themselves with a novel shape or texture of item for hours while their trainers work. Of course, managing a saltwater tank can still be complicated and expensive.

Drampa could be a very good choice, as they do well with crowds and loud noises. While they do not need a ton of exercise beyond a mental need for exploration, their large size is still something to be considered. I have heard of breeders producing lines of smaller Drampa that are extra suitable for young children, but even a "miniscule" 200lb individual needs more space than some city apartments can accommodate.

Nacli are very dependable Pokémon for beginner trainers, with calm and loyal dispositions that remain quite peaceful even when fully evolved. There is a very ancient partnership between humans and the Nacli line regarding food preservation and preparation, and as such it is relatively easy to find breeders of highly reputed lineages. Their role in human history is remarkable.

Finally, if you are able to find a breeder of the ancient Hisuian legacy form of Growlithe, they can make fantastic companions for trainer both new and experienced. They require slightly more involved training than the standard breed we are more familiar with today, but are more physiologically equipped for urban settings. Standard Growlithe are more restless and can be more aggressive towards strangers, which can be awkward in apartment buildings, crowded cafés, or office spaces.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

Dear Thea, I'm a huge Sableye fan and have wanted one for years, and just wanted to know if you'd have any tips or tricks for taking care of them. If it helps at all, I'm a Joltik breeder and have a Galvantula partner, so quite experienced in making areas scratch/bite proof, and my Galvantula is very social. Thanks!

Sableye are relatively low-effort Pokémon to raise, as they are generally calm and shy. Ensuring that yours will have a dedicated dark space where it can sleep without being crowded by other Pokémon is a must. This is honestly the only issue I can foresee in an environment full of cuddly, sociable Joltik.

Often prospective trainers are wary of the cost of food, considering a Sableye's diet of gemstones. They do not have a keen sense of taste and tend not to be picky, so trainers can keep their Pokémon perfectly happy and healthy with a diet of cheaper silicate minerals, like quartz or mica.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

Any tips on providing enrichment and grooming Dedenne?

Dedenne love to generate and absorb static electricity by rubbing against various surfaces like carpeting- bringing home samples of various textures of carpet from a home supply store can be a great way to allow them to explore new textures. If yours exhibits any strong preferences, keeping samples to line their nest is definitely recommended.

I should mention that some types of rodent substrate are not safe for Dedenne. You should avoid anything with a fine dust or particulate- this isn't harmful to the Pokémon's health, but fine powders can ignite and cause house fires if a stray spark catches them.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

Could you write about Yamper and Boltund, pleasee? Love your blog!! <3

Absolutely! Thank you so much!

Yamper and Boltund are working breeds that require an immense amount of physical activity each day, so it can be a very rare treat to see one outside of farming or competitive battle communities. While they are still used to this day for herding and occasionally hunting, they had multiple other professions throughout history. Boltund, for example, have been used as mail delivery Pokémon for centuries before electronic communication outpaced them in recent memory. The speedy canines are able to recall multiple routes, and were often used for emergency contact between towns or members of wealthier families in Galar. Some lineages of these working Boltund still exist and can be considered distinct breeds. One of my personal favorites is the heirloom brindle striping distinctive of the messenger Boltund historically kept by the Galar royal family.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

Curious. How tough is it to raise a dreepy? I've recently found one just randomly within my university and it has since never left my side for quite some time, prompting me to raise it (as it didn't have an owner, is that weird?). But yes please help me! I'm not too informed on caring for a dreepy but it's just so affectionate too that it slipped my mind!

Raising Dreepy can be either quite tough or low-effort, depending on your perspective and means. They have specific environmental needs: high humidity, low light, and a narrow temperature range. It is possible to spend a decent amount of money up front for a terrarium system that requires very little maintenance. Conversely, some people find constantly monitoring and humidifying a space somewhat mentally taxing. They are also quite social Pokémon, and prefer to be near family members as frequently as possible, making them ideal companions to homebodies or folks whose careers can accommodate partner Pokémon, but potentially stressful for people who work a more classic 9-5. As a student, I imagine that this could actually be ideal for you as a calm study comopanion. They don't have especially rigorous physical exercise needs, so from this perspective many people enjoy raising a competitively viable Pokémon without constantly needing to be running around outside or training in a Gym.

-Thea

[pokebiologist]

I got a neighbor who ranches Tauros in the summer. Ealier last fall, he decided to bring one of the critters home, and now it won't stop grazing on my lawn. How can I get the guy to stay out of my yard without antagonizing my neighbor?

If you do not have a guard Pokémon that would alert you or scare away the occasional intruding Tauros, there are a few avenues outside of building a fence. Sprinkler or noise alarm systems are generally pretty good for startling away herd species. Additionally, Tauros do not have a high tolerance for capsaicin, so either growing hot peppers or sprinkling the boundary of your property with pepper juice should do the trick- however if the Pokémon ingest some they may get upset stomachs, which could very well end up antagonizing your neighbor.

-Thea

[pkmn-ruby-moved]

[pokebiologist]

Do Altaria's white cheeks have any purpose?

Yes, they help Altaria attract and identify conspecifics (= members of the same species). Like most avian Pokémon, Altaria have the ability to see in at least part of the ultraviolet spectrum, and so possess body parts that can reflect patterns or colors in UV that are inaccessible to our eyes. It's hard to ask a Pokémon for specifically what information they derive from these visual markers, but we have some very strong ideas supported by behavioral studies. Using UV light sensing technology, we believe that the patterns on each Altaria's cheeks are unique, kind of like fingerprints. Altaria are often observed doing a side-to-side head bobbing motion when greeting one another, not unlike the cheek kissing greeting many humans have. This view of the others' cheeks is then followed by a wide range of social interaction, which tells us that some information gathered specifically during that greeting helps them figure out how to treat one another- from a territorial standoff, to a courtship display, to familial preening.

The vibrancy of the cheek spots can also serve as a health indicator. This allows us humans to quickly assess whether Altaria (wild or owned) may be suffering from a nutrient deficiency or immune system issue. This additionally may help inform individuals make mate selection choices.

-Thea