The Science of Pokemon

[scienceofpokemon]

I occasionally see new people following this blog, so I want you to know that I have not updated this blog in years and probably will not update it again. Sorry. I’m glad you enjoy my pokemon sudo-science though.

[scienceofpokemon]

Ponyta

Ponyta, and its evolution Rapidash, are horse-like Pokemon whose manes and tails appear to be made of fire. They are not actually made of fire, but instead a luminous mixture of gases that shine brightly due to a chemical reaction, and resemble flame. Depending on what gases are present the mixture, it also produces heat at varying strengths. If a Ponyta is fearful or in danger, the 'flames' can be very dangerous and cause burns to anything touching them. However, when the Ponyta feels safe, its mane settles to a pleasant warmth. And, of course, it can be used to warm up the Ponyta if it's cold. Some rare Ponyta produce slightly different chemicals which shine blue and silver instead of yellow and red. These are called 'shiny' Ponyta and are highly prized.

When a Ponyta evolves into a Rapidash, it gains a horn on its forehead as well as growing in size and strength. With this horn, tough hooves, and their luminescent manes, Rapidash can defend itself well. Though it can outrun most other Pokemon, it will stand its ground if it has a colt to protect. Ponyta can't run fast enough to get away on its own, so a parent will give them time to get away before running to catch up with them. When they are calm, their manes are short and glow softly, but grow bigger, brighter, and hotter the more agitated the Rapidash gets. Ponyta and Rapidash both have creamy white coats, as more camouflaged browns and blacks don't really help if your mane glows.

Rapidash, and to a lesser extent Ponyta, are used in many of the same ways horses are in our world. Though many roam free, plenty are domesticated for helping farmers or for police officers to ride. They were once popular for carrying messages or packages, but trained bird Pokemon have largely taken over this task. Because a Rapidash has to trust someone before letting them ride it, they are not as common as horses are here. Police cadets will often go to a ranch, pick out a domesticated Ponyta, and train with it until it trusts them and evolves. 

Races, of course, are very popular with Rapidash riders. Rapidash naturally like to race, and are very good at it. They have to be very well trained to just race and not attack the other competitors, as they tend to do if they think they're going to lose. Their manes run hot when they run, so jockeys have to ride in fire proof suits and slick their skin so they don't get burned. A moderator with a water Pokemon is on standby in case a fight breaks out or something catches on fire. It's still pretty dangerous, but popular to watch.

Ponyta artist

Ponyta and Rapidash artist

Got last image from here, but can't find the original artist :(

Chemiluminescence is super interesting, at least I think so :)

[kiyokon]

April 29 - Bicycles

I don’t really know where this idea came from.

[scienceofpokemon]

Sorry, no Science of Pokemon this week because of finals. Have this instead!

[scienceofpokemon]

Slowpoke

Slowpoke is a Pokemon that resembles a hippopotamus with a long tail. They are strong, but slow moving and not very smart. They live near the water's edge or in shallow water, feeding off fish. Because they are not fast enough to catch fish straight out of the water, they have figured out a rather lazy way of catching them. Slowpoke's tails secrete a sweet, syrupy coating that was originally used to protect their skin against sunburn, but it also attracts fish that like how it tastes. The Slowpoke will sit by the water with its tail dangling in, waiting patiently for fish to come by. When a fish stops and nibbles on the Slowpoke's tail, it whips its tail, sending the fish flying into the Slowpoke's mouth. 

As well as attracting fish, Slowpoke's tail is also tasty to Shellder. Instead of nibbling on it, a Shellder will bite hard and try to pull the tail off. If the Slowpoke is too low a level, the Shellder will succeed and the Slowpoke will have to grow a new tail. But if the Slowpoke is strong enough, it will keep hold of its tail. To survive the Shellder's venom now sinking into its system, the Slowpoke evolves into a Slowbro.

Slowbro is stronger and less lazy than Slowpoke. It can no longer fish with its tail, so it swims to catch them. The Shellder on its tail also evolved to have a spiky spiral shape, which the Slowbro will swing at attacking enemies.

Instead of becoming a Slowbro, a Slowpoke could become a Slowking. To do this, it has to get the Shellder to bit its head instead of its tail. It does this by collecting a certain type of coral that Shellder like to eat and wearing it like a crown on its head (People have fashioned these to sell to trainers, calling them 'King's Rock'). Trying to eat the coral, a Shellder will bite the Slowpoke's head, causing evolution into a Slowking.

Slowking is more intelligent and capable than Slowbro, using its psychic abilities to hunt. They are often curious and travel to learn as much as they can. Slowking can be trained to preform, as with the picture below of a one dressed up and preforming for a circus.

Slowpoke artist

Slowbro artist

Slowking artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Paras

Paras is a bug Pokemon, similar to a cicada, that has been infected with tochukaso mushrooms. These parasitic mushrooms grow roots into the back of the insect and drain energy and resources from it. They also release chemicals into the Paras's system that change its behavior, making seek dark, damp environments where the mushrooms thrive. Unlike Bulbasaur, who has a symbiotic relationship between the plant and animal parts, Paras gets no benefit from supporting the mushrooms, instead living a much shorter life than they normally would.

When Paras evolves into Parasect, the mushrooms steal the energy to transform into a single enormous mushroom. The insect itself has hardly changed, still resembling an immature state. It is believed that without the drain of energy, a Paras would evolve to look different, perhaps with wings and stronger pincers. When a Parasect lays eggs, the mushroom will release spores that infect the larva before they're even born, ensuring the mushroom's continued control.

Scientists discovered a bug Pokemon named Nincada in a nearby country. The similar body structure led them to believe that it is related to Paras, but resistant to the mushroom. Perhaps Nincada's evolutions are what Parasect looked like before the mushrooms took control.

Paras artist

Parasect artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Kangaskhan

Kangaskhan is a large marsupial Pokemon. It is a formidable foe with sharp claws and fangs, strong muscles, and hard, armored plates in some portions of its skin. In the past, they were relatively common in the wild and people feared them greatly, as they could defeat most other Pokemon and were not above attacking a human. Prestigious trainers would hunt the Kangaskhan, capturing them if possible, but often killing them because the trainers were unable to control them. They were hunted to near extinction; the surviving Kangaskhan fleeing to remote deserts and savannas.

Because of the massive danger, Kangaskhan became very protective of their young, keeping them in their pouch as long as possible. Where once the young joey could roam and play, its mother secure knowing nothing would dare risk her wrath, now the joey will stay in the pouch until it is ready to evolve. Hunting Kangaskhan is now illegal, and the Safari Zone is attempting to revitalize their population. However, the damage is done and it is unlikely they will ever recover to the place they once were.

There is a legend that the joeys orphaned by the Kangaskhan hunts took their mothers' skulls and became Cubone, but I have not been able to determine if this is true. The first recorded sighting of a Cubone was after the hunts, but this is true of many other Pokemon as well, as the forests and plains were only safe for exploration after the Kangaskhan were gone. More research needs to be done in this area.

Kangaskhan artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Oddish

Oddish is a small grass Pokemon that can use its small roots as legs. During the day, Oddish will bury itself in the best soil it can find, drawing in water, nutrients, and light from the sun. When it has sufficiently depleted the soil, or something starts eating its leaves, the Oddish will push out of the ground and walk to a different location. It can walk because of specialized cells that absorb or repel water to expand or contract accordingly, allowing the roots to shift forward and backward on command (same way a venus fly trap opens and closes). It has small beady eyes that don't work that well, but prevent the Oddish from walking off a cliff or into a river. 

When Oddish evolves into Gloom, it will seek the harsher environment of a bog, where most plants can't survive. Gloom can live by supplementing the minerals it gets from the ground with insects and spiders it captures in its mouth. Gloom secrete a sweet, fowl-smelling nectar to attract insects, then traps and breaks them down with acids. The bad smell attracts bugs that feed on decaying carcasses, as the horrible smell leads them to their next meal. When faced with predators, Oddish will release toxic or paralyzing spores from the flower bulbs on its head.

If a Gloom finds a grass stone (a stone of a fossilized plant), it will evolve into Vileplume. The enormous flower makes it hard for Vileplume to move as it once did, so they often find a good place and stay there, moving only in an emergency. With poisonous petals and toxic spores, Vileplume has little worry of predators, scaring all away but the bugs it feeds on. 

Oddish artist

Gloom artist

Vileplume artist

[scienceofpokemon]

I would like to make a request if you do them, maybe do oddish and it's evolutions on day? That'd be awesome. Thanks and love the posts!

Thanks for the request! I have considered doing Oddish, but haven't previously because I can't find really good realistic art for its evolutions. But I suppose I could do it anyway, just for you :)

[scienceofpokemon]

Scyther

Scyther is a large flying insect with a single, sharp claw on the ends of its forearms. These claws are used to cut down soft plants and small trees, as well as defending against predators. Scyther generally travel in swarms, moving to find food. Similar to locusts, a Scyther swarm can be devastating to crops, eating as much as they can before moving on. So during times of possible swarms, farmers have to hire Bird Keepers to watch their fields and fight or scare away encroaching bug Pokemon.

Scyther, like Butterfree and Beedrill, is between three and four feet tall. On our world, insects this size cannot exist. This is because insects get oxygen to their cells though tiny tubes in their exoskeletons called trachea, instead of by breathing and blood transport like mammals do. If an insect is too big, it needs more oxygen than the trachea can support. However, millions of years ago, when there was more oxygen in the atmosphere, there were dragonflies the size of hawks and ants the size of hummingbirds. The world of Pokemon must have more oxygen in its atmosphere than we have in ours, which allows these giant bugs to exist.

Scyther was thought to have no evolutions, until a trainer gave her Scyther a metal coat. It was one of the many items that had been designed to help Pokemon in battle, this one enhancing steel attacks. To the trainer's great surprise, her Scyther evolved into a new Pokemon, the red metal coat now covering its entire exoskeleton. The Pokemon was named Scizor, for its new scissor claws. Though it still has wings, Scizor is too heavy to fly and uses the wings to regulate its body temperature instead. 

The evolution greatly intrigued scientists, who experimented with training and trading Pokemon equipped with various items. They are still unsure why some Pokemon will adapt to the item and evolve with it, while most have no effect. Pokemon with no known evolutions were tested first to some success, but they found even Pokemon with three evolutions can be affected by an item to have a divergent evolution. More research still needs to be done to understand this phenomenon.

Scyther artist

Espeon vs Scyther artist

Science on insect size

Scizor artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Doduo

Doduo is a flightless bird Pokemon with two or three heads. Though it is a common belief that Doduo all have two heads and their evolutions have three, this is not true. Animals, or Pokemon, can't just grow another brain. However, the ones born with three heads have an advantage over the one with only two. They are smarter, can see in more directions at once, and can attack with an extra beak. This leads them to grow and evolve much faster and more often than the Doduo with two heads, so most Dodrio have three heads simply because they were better equipped to evolve. Also, Doduo get tired easily and often rest one of their heads while the other(s) remain alert, giving the impression of having one less head than they actually do.

The way the different heads are connected but separate is interesting. It is comparable to an octopus, where part of the octopus's brain is in each of its tentacles, letting each act independently of the others but still share information and work together. Doduo and Dodrio's different heads each have their own brain, but are connected to each other's. They can think and react on their own as well as acting together for a common goal. Though they sometimes squabble, it's not a real fight as they share pain receptors and don't really want to hurt themselves.

Doduo do have wings, but they are too small to fly with. They are still useful though, as they can create gusts of wind to buffet other Pokemon. Doduo also use them as they run to give them a little more lift and speed. This way, they can run quite quickly across the grassy planes where they live. They will often move from place to place, finding bugs and berries wherever they can. When the are ready to mate, Dodrio will gather dry grasses and make a large nest with the help of their mate. After laying eggs, the parents will trade off gathering food and keeping the eggs warm and safe, one head always remaining awake as the others sleep to watch for danger.

Doduo Artist

Dodrio Artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Lickitung

Lickitung is a large reptile with an extremely long tongue. Its tongue is well muscled and strong enough to hold struggling prey. Its saliva is also quite sticky, helping the Lickitung to keep hold. The tongue has to be carefully rolled up to fit the whole thing back in their mouth. Lickitung can digest almost anything, using four stomachs to break down plants, fur, and bone. To make room for the large tongue and stomachs, several of Lickitung's internal organs are located in its tail, which is why the tail is so bulbous.

Even when not trying to eat an opponent, Lickitung will still use its tongue to attack, wrapping them up and squeezing them. However, there are some Pokemon that you would want to avoid touching, like ones with poison spikes or open flames. Lickitung will try to avoid a fight with these, but if forced it will put away its tongue and instead slam them with its body.

artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Poliwag

Poliwag are small amphibians that live in lakes and ponds. Their finned tails make them adept at swimming, but their short legs don't help much on land. The skin on their bellies is transparent, showing through their black intestines. Poliwag tend to swim in pods with all their siblings in order to protect each other. Even so, only a few of them survive long enough to evolve. They are small and weak, so most of them are eaten.

When evolving into Poliwhirl, the Pokemon lose their tails and gain another set of legs. The back legs grow strong enough to launch the Poliwhirl far with every jump. The skin on their bellies is no longer transparent, but instead has a black spiral pattern. Poliwhirl can undulate their throats is a way that makes the pattern seem to swirl around, hypnotizing predator and prey alike. They can also spry water from their mouths like an archer fish. This method can hit bug Pokemon from a distance, which are the main part of Poliwhirl's diet. 

A Poliwhirl lucky enough to find a water stone will evolve into a Poliwrath. Their front legs are as powerful as their back legs, able to strike fast and hard. With the increase in muscles, Poliwrath focus more on fighting moves than water ones. They will often use their back legs to launch themselves at their prey before attacking with fists.

Poliwag artist

Poliwrath artist

Poliwrath artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Chansey

Chansey is the only known marsupial that also lays eggs. While other marsupials have live births and then keep their young in their pouches, Chansey lay eggs and use the pouch to keep them warm. This allows them to keep moving from place to place, instead of making a nest or den to keep their eggs safe and warm. All Chansey are female, which means they reproduce asexually, each daughter an exact clone of her mother (barring mutations). Though they don't need outside help to fertilize their eggs, they will only make fertile eggs if they have found a suitable mate to raise the joey with. 

Normally, the eggs they lay are unfertilized. These eggs are very nutritious, and Chansey will store them up for the winter months when they can't get berries to eat. Chansey are generally compassionate and will share their eggs with other Pokemon if needed. They often escape predators by smashing an egg on the ground and running away; the predator will stop and eat the good-smelling egg rather than chasing the Chansey. Chansey are kept in Pokemon Centers so their eggs can help restore and revive hurt Pokemon.

Chansey artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Delibird

Delibird are arctic birds with red and white feathers, though they have also been known to live in snowy mountains. They have large, flat tails that they roll up to hold the food they find, mostly berries and fish. This food is meant for their chicks and mate, but Delibird will share with those who need it. Many humans have been saved by a passing Delibird while lost in the mountains or arctic, given food and lead back to the nearest town. The Delibird will then expect to be given food back to replace what it lost. It seems this is a common practice among groups of Delibird, to help out when needed with the expectation of repayment.

Delibird can fly, but only when their tails are emptied. The unfurled tail is necessary for them land safely and steer while in flight. While on the ground, the tail can also be used to hide from predators. The Delibird will cover themselves with their tail to hide their bright red feathers and blend in with the snow. As well as food, they will also carry special ice pellets in their tails. These pellets are hollow on the inside, so when thrown with great force they shatter, sending sharp shards of ice flying in all directions. Delibird use these pellets to attack other Pokemon in a battle, though occasionally they throw a bit of food instead, accidentally helping their opponent. 

Because they live near the north pole and are known for giving 'presents', they are associated with Christmas. Children are told that Delibird help Santa deliver his gifts to everyone on Christmas Eve. After all, even with his team of flying Stantler, Santa can't get to everyone in one night by himself. That would be ridiculous. 

Merry Christmas!

http://www.deviantart.com/art/No-225-Delibird-173013484

http://www.deviantart.com/art/It-s-Just-A-Little-Snow-170789721

http://red-flare.deviantart.com/art/High-Ho-Stantler-113734394

[scienceofpokemon]

Lapras

Lapras are peaceful sea creatures with a hard shells on their backs. Though they live in the water, they do not have gills, and their lungs are not significantly larger than most land animals. As a result, they spend much of their time at the surface of the water, diving only when they need to eat. They often form pods, swimming together in groups of ten to twenty Lapras. To communicate, they sing to each other to indicate food, warn others of danger, or express their emotions. If a Lapras dies, the others in its pod will not move or eat for a day, singing together a song about the life and loss of the one who had died, a song that brings tears to all who hear it. 

Lapras are peaceful and curious creatures that are not afraid of humans. They will often approach people swimming in the ocean and let them get on their backs. They seem to like human speech as much as humans enjoy their songs, playfully singing back the tones to encourage people to keep talking. People have ridden on their backs to explore the oceans, though unless they capture the Pokemon they have little say in where they go.

Lapras have a hollow section in their shell that, while in the water, they keep filled with air to help with buoyancy. They rarely go on land except to lay eggs or if a trainer captures them, but in these instances, they fill that space with water instead. They use the water to keep their bodies hydrated and if attacked can spray it out of their mouths to deter predators.

Though they are generally peaceful, they can defend themselves if attacked. Their shell protects them fairly well while the spike on their forehead is rammed into their foe. If one Lapras is attacked, the rest in their pod rush to defend them. The only time they are vulnerable is after they hatch, when they are young, alone, and unable to defend themselves. 

Lapras are strong in their pods, but their lack of fear of humans has lead many to be captured, making them rarer and rarer in the wild. Trainers are encouraged to let their Lapras roam free at mating time, in the hope of raising the wild population. 

Lapras artist

Blastoise vs Lapras artist

[scienceofpokemon]

Yeah no, those artists seem to have went for shock factor instead of accuracy.

I can see your point, but I've always kinda thought that Pokemon that were humanoid were weirdly unrealistic because they're supposed to be like animals, not people. So I like artists that make them more animalistic and natural (like scales instead of boxing gloves or 'clothing'). But it's also to do with the whole science angle I'm going for. Too 'accurate' Pokemon are really unscientific.

[scienceofpokemon]

Koffing

Koffing and Weezing produce a lighter-than-air toxic gas that they store up in order to float in the air. Like a pufferfish, their stretchy skin grows to hold whatever gas they have accumulated, giving them their spherical shape. The various orifices across their body can be opened or closed to control the release of the gas. In battle, they use the gas to poison the other Pokemon and obscure themselves from view.

If the gas is released from just one area, it will propel the Koffing in the opposite direction. They can use this to move about, though they often just float on the breeze to avoid running out of gas and sinking to the earth. The gas smells like rotting garbage, which attracts insects for the Koffing to eat. Koffing will also eat any rotting food it finds to get methane, a key component in the Koffing's gas.

Like the deep sea anglerfish, the male Koffing are much smaller and cannot survive long on their own. When a male finds a mature female, he attaches himself to her side and they meld together, where he stays the rest of his life, occasionally providing sperm for reproduction. This is how a Weezing is made.

Artist