Professor Cycad

A blog dedicated to Pokemon welfare, biology and ecology! I specialize in Poison Types and Fossil Pokemon, but have experience with all sorts of Pokemon! Asks/RP open.

[prof-cycad]

Heya!

Before Asking:

-RP is okay! In fact, I encourage it heartily!

-No, I don’t have any experience with Legendaries, Mythicals or other similarly “epic” Pokemon. The closest encounter I’ve had is a Pheromosa totaling my neighbor’s car, and that was more than enough for my tastes.

-Type:Null and Silvally are totally okay to have, as long as they are given the proper care!

-I specialize in the study of Poison, Bug and Dark types but I have studied each type. Alongside modern Pokemon, I specialize in Fossil Pokemon!

-Don’t be scared to ask questions! We grow as we learn!

[prof-cycad]

I saw an ask where you said many Poison Types are always shedding poison.

Would that mean if I had one of them, I’d eventually gain resistance to the poison? And would being near that Pokemon constantly cause problems?

The chemicals produced by Poison Types vary widely depending on the Pokémon's environment, lifestyle or biology. If one is unsure, it's best to understand why a Pokémon uses Poison in the first place. For many Poison Types that find themselves on the lower rungs of the food chain, their Poison is meant to deter predators. Some Poison Types are predators themselves, so their toxins are often more dangerous. Venom produced by Arbok or similar Pokémon can often prove fatal.

When a Pokémon sheds poison, the intent is normally to affect their opponents' respiratory systems. This is why Dustox fly so erratically and why Weezing enjoy belching. If a human spends enough time in the vicinity of a Poison Type, they might build a resistance.

This being said, the Poison shed by Pokémon is far less potent than that used in battle. Toxins are energetically expensive for a Pokémon to create so they do not waste them. The less toxic material can vary from a mild irritant that causes rashes to a severe allergen that causes anaphylactic shock. Luckily, an Antidote can expel even very serious Poison from the body very quickly.

[prof-cycad]

What is the best course of action if an idiot (/aff) friend of mine accidentally gets poisoned by one of his many Poison Types (ex. Dustox, he also has a whole lot of spider Pokemon but I don’t think all of them are Poison)? He’s a wonderful trainer, but not the most careful.

Surprisingly, this isn't that rare of an occurrence! Many Poison Types, Dustox included, are perpetually shedding some form of toxic material. Arachnid Pokémon normally deliver Poison through a deep bite rather than aerosolized toxins (like that of Arbok or Weezing).

Luckily for your friend, the poison made by Pokémon is typically specialized to incapacitate their chosen prey. Antidote sprays, meant for Pokémon, are actually safe for human use. Adding Pecha berries, which help expel toxins, to the diet can help.

[prof-cycad]

The elongated middle finger of a Grafaiai, which is almost always dripping with paint-like goop, is used during the Pokémon's nightly hunting forays. The saliva that coats their finger is imbued with poisons distilled in the Pokémon's upper gut.

Grafaiai use percussive hunting as they tap the trunks of trees to locate young Bug Types within. As they tap tap tap away at the wood, they press their sensitive ear against it. When they find prey, typically a Grubbin, Grafaiai dig it out using their iconic middle finger. The oozing toxin-laiden saliva paralyzes the prey for easy capture.

[prof-cycad]

Swinub and their family relish the opportunity to become thoroughly muddy. While they can regulate their body temperature, they can still overheat if it is too sunny outside. These Pokémon actually shed their winter coats every spring to mitigate overheating.

As the climate warmed after the previous Ice Age, Swinub declined in population. Once rivaling the number of Bidoof in Sinnoh, Swinub now live in places where snow still accumulates heavily. Now faced with warmer days, Swinub and Piloswine will wallow in mud pools to beat the heat.

Mamoswine can dig their own wallows and do so readily. When a herd works together, every Pokémon around can reap the rewards peacefully.

[prof-cycad]

While there are countless places where the two species do not share a habitat, Heracross and Pinsir are adapted to compete heavily with one another. Both species consume sugary sap, nectar and rotting plant material. The adaptations for their rivalry are still useful when faced with other species.

The intensely strong horns of Pinsir are perfect for grappling with large opponents and uprooting trees. The spikes on their horns allow Pinsir to better incapacitate smooth foes, most notably large Bug Types. The sharp mouthparts of Pinsir allow them to chew through wood and their rivals alike.

Heracross prefer to flip an opponent over and attack their belly. The long horn of a mature Heracross can be used to toss foes into the air with little effort. Because Pinsir have issues righting themselves once on their back, Heracross will hit them with a Seismic Toss followed with some Close Combat.

[prof-cycad]

It is exceptionally uncommon for Smeargle to spend any amount of time in the company of their own species. Due to their independent nature and artistic ability, each Smeargle has a distinct style of painting. Smaller Pokémon like Happiny or Tandemaus seem to be accepted readily even by the most reclusive Smeargle.

A notable exception are the two Smeargle living in Slateport City. This unrelated pair of male Smeargle have been found painting together with no apparent competition. It is believed that their similar painting style, comprised mostly of blue and cyan spirals, was enough to break the social boundary.

When the older of the Slateport Smeargle left for some time after finding a mate, his partner stopped painting his iconic blue spiral patterns. Once reunited, the pair went on nightly painting spree that took months to clean up.

[prof-cycad]

Sandshrew and Sandslash are exceptionally slow walkers but they regularly match the speed of a herd of stampeding Tauros. Because they can roll into a ball, they can move quite quickly across the open plains and deserts they live in.

The sight of the billowing dust they produce while rolling incites the stampede behavior of the Pokémon they live with. Rhyhorn and Dodrio have an extreme urge to run very fast and the sight of airborne dust whips them into a frenzy.

When a predator, typically a Nidoking, unearths a Sandslash a stampede will probably occur. Once every Pokémon starts to panic and scramble, the unlucky Nidoking has to crawl back to his burrow empty handed. It is a much better option than fighting a herd of ornery Rhyhorn and irritated Dodrio.

[prof-cycad]

A prevailing theory of the topic of Alpha Pokémon in Ancient Hisui is due to the rugged nature of the region at the time. Environmental conditions at the time required certain Pokémon to adapt and overcome competition.

Winters in the Sinnoh region used to be far harsher and longer than they are now. The best example of this are Hisuian Avalugg, which were adapted to plow through thick ice with a metal jaw. Alpha Pokémon must have been better equipped to withstand the freezing temperatures.

Before the climate collapse, Orre's native Pokémon also showed signs of the Alpha phenomenon. Recent surveys have found multiple Tyranitar specimens that reached up to 300 kilograms while alive. Such imposing Pokémon were sure to have been a sight to behold.

[prof-cycad]

While it is the time of year for Delibird and Stantler, it is also the time to remain conscious of zoonotic pathogens. Most infectious diseases cannot be transmitted between Pokémon and people but those that can are especially gross.

The Common Cold, an illness best characterized by fatigue and sneezing, can be transmitted by a few different kinds of Pokémon. The most common culprit are the Ralts, Machop and Pikachu families. It's best to practice adequate hand washing and covering every sneeze to curb the spread of sickness.

[prof-cycad]

Cranidos and Rampardos lived in dynamic environments during the ancient past. These habitats often experienced long droughts followed by great floods and bountiful growing seasons. Such a harsh habitat encouraged Cranidos and Rampardos to be very tough and resilient.

During times of plenty, these bone-headed Pokémon will eat any kind of plant material. The young leaves of shrubs and bushes were their favorites and are often found fossilized in their bellies. During the prolonged droughts, they ate anything from small Pokémon to rotting wood.

In the modern day, Trainers who keep Cranidos and Rampardos will find that they drink quite sparingly. Obtaining the majority of their hydration from their food, the prehistoric Pokémon will only take brief drinks if any at all.

[prof-cycad]

The tongue-waggling behavior of the Impidimp family was once the subject of scientific debate. Some scientists believed that this crass behavior was due to the Pokémon tasting the air like an Ekans would. Further research debunked this theory and cemented the truth behind the fact.

The Impidimp family waggle their tongues at those they wish to siphon emotions from. This admittedly rude gesture incites aggression and frustration from the opponent in a taunting manner. Other taunting behaviors include shaking their rear ends, babbling incessantly and throwing small objects.

As they mature, they obviously become stronger and more capable in battle. Not needing to egg on the opponent with silly faces, Morgrem and Grimmsnarl will go to great lengths to infuriate the opponent at any moment. The negative emotions that flow forth gives them an incredible advantage over their foe.

[prof-cycad]

The dangers of Ghost Pokémon are not to be scoffed at. Many species, especially Gengar and Chandelure, seek out humans as their primary source of prey. It should also be considered that Ghost Types are simply Pokémon with a supernatural lean. They are no more dangerous than a Garchomp or Metagross.

The notion that salt deters Ghosts is an old wive's tale at best and a dangerous notion at worst. Gengar specifically enjoy the taste of salt and will drop anything to lap it up. Their love for salt can actually lead the poor Gengar to become dehydrated and need a lot of water.

Chandelure, however, feeds exclusively on the life force of those around it. They require so little energy to function normally that they are rare noticed by those they feed on. It is only when they are found in human structures, which is where they prefer to haunt, that people would notice them.

[prof-cycad]

Absol and the Sneasel line are both equipped with retractable claws that aid in keeping their balance in rocky mountainous terrain. This adaptation is best known from unrelated species like Meowth and Purrloin.

Retractable claws allow Pokémon to deploy their claws when needed and kept sharp when unused. They act like the spikes on a Hiker's boots and can sink into terrain to prevent slippage.

Both Sneasel and Absol are mustelids, much like Oshawott, Buizel and Sentret. Retractable claws are absent from any other Pokémon barring the felines. This means that the adaptation was separately evolved rather than a shared trait.

[prof-cycad]

Many Dragon Types have teeth that are regularly replaced throughout their lifetimes. Because they can feel when a new tooth is about to come in, they gnaw on hard surfaces to loosen the old tooth.

Gible, Bagon and Jangmo-o often suffer from growing pains while their teeth grow in. Teething, which helps calm them down, often causes old teeth to become embedded in whatever they chew on. These naturally shed fangs are often kept by Trainers as a memento of their Pokémon's younger years.

On the other hand, the Goomy line lacks real teeth altogether. Their tongues, which are lined with durable bony pegs, are known as a radula. They share this trait with their two closest relatives: Slugma and Shelmet.

[prof-cycad]

The Holo Caster, a device used in Kalos, produces a hologram to facilitate communication. After years of use, issues with the Holo Caster software are few and far between.

However, a recent issue has cropped up. A Trainer attempting to contact their parents in Lumiose City reported a garbled transmission that distorted both the audio and visual display. The device's default display color, which was blue, was somehow changed to red.

The culprit ended up being their Partner Pokémon: Kadabra. The psychic waves produced by Kadabra's brain were jamming the holographic system. It has been known that Psychic Pokémon can interfere with video screens since the very first television was created. Holograms, however, are a new technology that requires more research.

[prof-cycad]

The crescent horn of Absol is made of a porous bone packed with nerve endings. Absol use their horn to focus and enhance their psychic abilities. In Mega Absol, the brain extends into the base of the horn as well.

The most similar structure to an Absol's horn is the keratinous crests of the Ralts family. The crest, which is made of the same material as a fingernail, amplifies psychic energy.

Absol are well known for their ability to sense future events. Their horn serves the same purpose as a radio antenna as it picks up the background noise of nearby Psychic frequencies. Absol get overstimulated in heavily populated areas because they are constantly listening to the thoughts of those nearby.