Post by Shrikeswind on Oct 3, 2012 17:31:20 GMT -5
So, I've been thinking about biology lately for no real reason, and for less reason about the biology of Pokemon. So I thought "Well jeez, why not do something creative with it?" So I did, and here it is: An expansive field guide about various Pokemon. Until I get a new computer, updates will be sporadic, but when I get one, they'll coalesce into weekly updates, I plan. Feel free to make suggestions for future Pokemon! If I'm out of suggestions, I'll start working on my own.
Pikachu
Murilux nimbifer
Electric Type
Pikachu are a cosmopolitan species with a wide variety of habitats, though are most commonly found in forests and urban environments. Mature Pikachu typically measure 16 inches in length, though there are recorded variabilities based on environment, diet, and genetics.
Pikachu chiefly eat fruits, nuts, and seeds, however, they are notoriously opportunistic and have a wide diet. Though Pikachu will eat meat if necessary, they are scavengers in this regard, and predatory behavior is unheard of. Pikachu enjoy tomatoes, and have been known to raid gardens for them. In captivity, ketchup may be used as a treat. Pikachu require copper in their diets, as it allows them to store electricity. As such, it is not uncommon for them to chew on electrical wires to get at the raw copper within. This behavior should be curbed in captive Pikachu by providing copper supplements, otherwise they will be highly destructive to electrical appliances.
Pikachu have specialized cells throughout their body which are capable of generating electricity. These cells have a red pigmentation to them. Pikachu's distinctive bright-red cheeks are a result of typically high concentration of these cells there, which are used to assist digestion. Rarely, a Pikachu will be born with a higher concentration of these cells throughout their body, allowing them to generate more electricity and providing their typically yellow coat with a ruddier appearance. However, these "Shiny" Pikachu are known to have trouble breaking down more complex copper compounds, making it harder for them to develop the same sort of charge a less concentrated Pikachu can.
Pikachu have a number of predators. Fearow and Noctowl prey on Pikachu, though if alert, the Pikachu can easily scare them off with a painful shock. Juveniles (known as Pichu) are often taken by Ekans, but a fully grown Pikachu can typically fight off even an Arbok. Pikachu have a distinct dislike for Meowth, and have been known to pick fights with non-threatening Meowth. As such, though Meowth will sometimes hunt Pikachu, it is rare for a Persian to do the same.
As mentioned, juveniles are known as Pichu. Pichu are born at 4 inches, but their size will triple over the next few weeks, stabilizing at around 1 foot long until puberty. Pichu are bobtailed, though with age it will grow into the distinctive lightning-bolt shape of a mature Pikachu. Pichu have lower concentrations of electrogenetic cells, so less of a Pichu's diet should feature copper, otherwise, the Pichu can hurt itself with its own electricity. An indicator for when it's safe to increase copper intake is when the Pichu's cheeks begin to darken.
Pikachu exhibit neoteny. With a significant enough electrical charge a Pikachu's tail will become more whip-like, the Pikachu will develop more powerful hindlegs, and production of electrogenetic cells in the body increases. For unknown reasons, this is offset by the electrogenetic cells in the cheeks dying off. This form is known as Raichu. In the wild, Raichu tend to occur rarely due to lack of dietary copper, resulting in challenge developing the charge required to change. However, in captivity, the copper can be supplemented. It is recommended that copper intake should not exceed 1 gram daily unless the Raichu form is desired.
Pikachu are typically social creatures. They form packs of around 20 adults, though may be as small as 5 and as large as 50, depending on access to food supply. Pack structure is loose, with no hierarchy. Trainers should exert only casual control over Pikachu or risk disobedience for this reason. Displays of endurance are used to resolve conflict. Injuries are rare, and are typically light cuts and burns. However, displays of electrical resistance can result in death and so should never be tolerated by trainers.
Pikachu begin breeding at 2 years old. Courtship typically involves the male offering displays of affection to his desired mate. Conflicts are generally resolved by female preference, but if ambivalent, males will perform endurance displays. Though polygamous, past mates often show preference for each other. Child-rearing is typically taken on by both parents. Pikachu have 6 nipples, though typical litters are usually 4. However, it is common for anywhere from 1 through 6 Pichu to be born per litter. Though rare, if more than 6 Pichu are born, they do not typically starve, as females begin lactating in their first year, so it is not uncommon for yearlings to serve as wet-nurses for extra Pichu.
Pikachu life expectancy is 8 years in the wild with most common cause of death being predation. In captivity, Pikachu may live to be 20. Pikachu can breed throughout their lives. Raichu life expectency is 10 years in the wild with most common cause of death being predation. In captivity, Raichu often suffer malnutrition due to the lack of electrogenetic cells in the cheeks, however, with proper diet, Raichu may live to be 18. The lower life expectency is due to Raichu being more prone to disease than Pikachu. The world record for longest living Pikachu is 32, the world record for longest living Raichu is 28.
Pikachu
Murilux nimbifer
Electric Type
Pikachu are a cosmopolitan species with a wide variety of habitats, though are most commonly found in forests and urban environments. Mature Pikachu typically measure 16 inches in length, though there are recorded variabilities based on environment, diet, and genetics.
Pikachu chiefly eat fruits, nuts, and seeds, however, they are notoriously opportunistic and have a wide diet. Though Pikachu will eat meat if necessary, they are scavengers in this regard, and predatory behavior is unheard of. Pikachu enjoy tomatoes, and have been known to raid gardens for them. In captivity, ketchup may be used as a treat. Pikachu require copper in their diets, as it allows them to store electricity. As such, it is not uncommon for them to chew on electrical wires to get at the raw copper within. This behavior should be curbed in captive Pikachu by providing copper supplements, otherwise they will be highly destructive to electrical appliances.
Pikachu have specialized cells throughout their body which are capable of generating electricity. These cells have a red pigmentation to them. Pikachu's distinctive bright-red cheeks are a result of typically high concentration of these cells there, which are used to assist digestion. Rarely, a Pikachu will be born with a higher concentration of these cells throughout their body, allowing them to generate more electricity and providing their typically yellow coat with a ruddier appearance. However, these "Shiny" Pikachu are known to have trouble breaking down more complex copper compounds, making it harder for them to develop the same sort of charge a less concentrated Pikachu can.
Pikachu have a number of predators. Fearow and Noctowl prey on Pikachu, though if alert, the Pikachu can easily scare them off with a painful shock. Juveniles (known as Pichu) are often taken by Ekans, but a fully grown Pikachu can typically fight off even an Arbok. Pikachu have a distinct dislike for Meowth, and have been known to pick fights with non-threatening Meowth. As such, though Meowth will sometimes hunt Pikachu, it is rare for a Persian to do the same.
As mentioned, juveniles are known as Pichu. Pichu are born at 4 inches, but their size will triple over the next few weeks, stabilizing at around 1 foot long until puberty. Pichu are bobtailed, though with age it will grow into the distinctive lightning-bolt shape of a mature Pikachu. Pichu have lower concentrations of electrogenetic cells, so less of a Pichu's diet should feature copper, otherwise, the Pichu can hurt itself with its own electricity. An indicator for when it's safe to increase copper intake is when the Pichu's cheeks begin to darken.
Pikachu exhibit neoteny. With a significant enough electrical charge a Pikachu's tail will become more whip-like, the Pikachu will develop more powerful hindlegs, and production of electrogenetic cells in the body increases. For unknown reasons, this is offset by the electrogenetic cells in the cheeks dying off. This form is known as Raichu. In the wild, Raichu tend to occur rarely due to lack of dietary copper, resulting in challenge developing the charge required to change. However, in captivity, the copper can be supplemented. It is recommended that copper intake should not exceed 1 gram daily unless the Raichu form is desired.
Pikachu are typically social creatures. They form packs of around 20 adults, though may be as small as 5 and as large as 50, depending on access to food supply. Pack structure is loose, with no hierarchy. Trainers should exert only casual control over Pikachu or risk disobedience for this reason. Displays of endurance are used to resolve conflict. Injuries are rare, and are typically light cuts and burns. However, displays of electrical resistance can result in death and so should never be tolerated by trainers.
Pikachu begin breeding at 2 years old. Courtship typically involves the male offering displays of affection to his desired mate. Conflicts are generally resolved by female preference, but if ambivalent, males will perform endurance displays. Though polygamous, past mates often show preference for each other. Child-rearing is typically taken on by both parents. Pikachu have 6 nipples, though typical litters are usually 4. However, it is common for anywhere from 1 through 6 Pichu to be born per litter. Though rare, if more than 6 Pichu are born, they do not typically starve, as females begin lactating in their first year, so it is not uncommon for yearlings to serve as wet-nurses for extra Pichu.
Pikachu life expectancy is 8 years in the wild with most common cause of death being predation. In captivity, Pikachu may live to be 20. Pikachu can breed throughout their lives. Raichu life expectency is 10 years in the wild with most common cause of death being predation. In captivity, Raichu often suffer malnutrition due to the lack of electrogenetic cells in the cheeks, however, with proper diet, Raichu may live to be 18. The lower life expectency is due to Raichu being more prone to disease than Pikachu. The world record for longest living Pikachu is 32, the world record for longest living Raichu is 28.