What are the Water Starters based on?

[Superfox]

So, if the fire starters are based on the Chinese Zodiac and the grass starters have a theme of evolution going for them (or so I've read), then what is the water starters' theme? Is there any?

[CloysterOyster]

Most of them seem to be reptilian or amphibious in nature, with the exception of Piplup which is based on a penguin I believe. Not sure what pattern the starter Water-types follow other than that.

[PersianTrainer]

At least for me, water type starter just seem random aquatic creatures.

Originally Posted by CloysterOyster

Most of them seem to be reptilian or amphibious in nature, with the exception of Piplup which is based on a penguin I believe. Not sure what pattern the starter Water-types follow other than that.

Oshawott is based on an aquatic mammal, an otter.
(thats the main reason its my favorite starter)

[CloysterOyster]

Originally Posted by PersianTrainer

Oshawott is based on an aquatic mammal, an otter.
(thats the main reason its my favorite starter)

Oops, forgot about Oshawott :/

[lifeburst]

Squirtle is based on a turtle. Totodile is based on a mini shark. Mudkip is based upon something. Piplup is a penguin, Oshawott is based on a otter, and Froakie is based upon a frog. All of them are pretty much based upon aquatic animals. Dunno 'bout Mudkipz.

[Scarf]

Mudkip is based on a mudskipper, at least in part. And I'm pretty sure Totodile is just a small crocodile.

But the pattern seems to be animals that can live and move on both land and water. Turtles, crocodiles, mudskippers, penguins, otters, frogs. I don't think there's any pattern beyond that. They just wanted to give you an animal that made sense for a Water-type, but that wouldn't be out of place on land (like a fish would).

[coolcatkim22]

Fox isn't part of the Chinese zodiac and neither is a porcupine so that sort of debunks that theory.
I also don't get the grass type theory. What do you mean by evolution?

[Hikari10]

The Water-type starters are based on aquatic creatures that can walk on land, like a tortoise/turtle (Squirtle), crocodile (Totodile), mudskipper (Mudkip), penguin (Piplup), sea otter (Oshawott) and frog (Froakie).

It's pretty simple once you know it.

[XanderO]

Originally Posted by coolcatkim22

Fox isn't part of the Chinese zodiac and neither is a porcupine so that sort of debunks that theory.
I also don't get the grass type theory. What do you mean by evolution?

Cyndaquil isn't a Porcupine. Its based off of an Enchidna or Shrew. Its also Classified as the Fire Mouse Pokemon, making it the Chinese Zodiac representation of the Mouse.

While, yes Fennekin does break the chain as a Fox is not part of the Zodiac, though many support it representing the Dog as Vulpines are related to Canines. And with that theory...I dread it evolving into a Dog now.

I don't know what they meant by Evolution, but Grass Types used to be all reptilian based. Bulbasaur and Chikorita based off some kinda Dinosaur, Treecko a gecko, Turtwig was a turtle, Snivy was a snake. Chespin who is a Mammal breaks this cycle.

Water is the only thing with a close relationship as all Water Starters are Semi-Aquatic creatures.

[Hikari10]

Originally Posted by XanderO

Cyndaquil isn't a Porcupine. Its based off of an Enchidna or Shrew. Its also Classified as the Fire Mouse Pokemon, making it the Chinese Zodiac representation of the Mouse.

While, yes Fennekin does break the chain as a Fox is not part of the Zodiac, though many support it representing the Dog as Vulpines are related to Canines. And with that theory...I dread it evolving into a Dog now.

I don't know what they meant by Evolution, but Grass Types used to be all reptilian based. Bulbasaur and Chikorita based off some kinda Dinosaur, Treecko a gecko, Turtwig was a turtle, Snivy was a snake. Chespin who is a Mammal breaks this cycle.

Water is the only thing with a close relationship as all Water Starters are Semi-Aquatic creatures.

Xander has a point, with this generation they sorta "broke" the Grass and Fire Starter trends, but the trend of what Water Starters are based on remains.

Chespin is the first Grass Starter not based on a reptile, Fennekin is the first Fire Starter not based on a Chinese Zodiac animal (but also like what Xander said, foxes do have relation to dogs so it could represent the Dog) but the trend with Water Starters hasn't been broken.

At first I didn't know what Mudkip was based on, but now I know it is part of the Water Starter trend for being based on semi-aquatic creatures.

[PlatinumDude]

As others said, the Water starters aren't based on a particular theme; they're based on aquatic creatures in general, as the others above me said:
-Squirtle is based on a turtle
-Totodile is based on a crocodilian
-Mudkip is based on the mudpuppy/mudskipper and axolotl
-Piplup is based on a penguin
-Oshawott is based on a sea otter

[27thColt]

Squitle - turtle
Totodile -Aligator/Crocodile
Mudkip - mudpuppy (search on Wikipedia!)
Piplup - Penguin
Oshawott -otter
Froakie - frog