"Pokémon" YOU'VE Seen IRL!

[icycatelf]

Have you ever encountered the real-world inspiration behind a Pokémon, or at least something that reminded you greatly of one? Please share your stories and/or photos with us! (Your photos must not exceed 500 pixels wide or tall (whichever is smaller) to be included in this list.)

Also, feel free to share photos you've taken of things that you feel could/should get Pokémon based on them in the future.

BULBASAUR & IVYSAUR

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Bulbasaur and Ivysaur were confirmed in an interview to be based on frogs (possibly tree frogs given their Grass typing). Their polygonal spots resemble those on some toxic frogs.

SQUIRTLE

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Squirtle is based on young pond turtles. (Box turtles are members of the American pond turtle family.)

CATERPIE

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Caterpie is based on swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

BUTTERFREE

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Butterfree appears to be based on the Pierinae subfamily of butterflies, also known as "Whites."

(NOTE: It seems to draw more specific inspiration from the Black-Veined White, but I like to imagine that all Whites would translate into Butterfree.)

WEEDLE

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Weedle represents the larval stage of a wasp. It also has characteristics of stinging caterpillars, called "kemushi" in Japan (which is also Weedle's Japanese category).

KAKUNA

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While is appearance may be based on wasp or bee pupae in general, Kakuna's characteristic of dangling from a silk thread (as seen in the anime and some side games) seems to have been inspired by hanging parasitoid wasp cocoons.

BEEDRILL (SHINY)

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While based on an Asian giant hornet, Beedrill's green and blue Shiny palette may draw inspiration from cuckoo wasps (aka emerald wasps).

PIDGEY

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Though it could be based on a variety of small birds, Pidgey bears a striking resemblance to the Carolina wren.

RATTATA

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Rattata is esentially the common field mouse of the Pokémon world.

EKANS

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Ekans seems to combine features of various snakes. The pattern on its body may have been inspired by ringneck snakes.

PICHU & PIKACHU

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Pikachu was confirmed to draw inspiration from squirrels, particularly its tail and cheek pouches. Since tree squirrels don't have cheek pouches, Pikachu may draw inspiration from chipmunks (aka "striped squirrels" in Japan) or visually similar ground squirrels. (The upright position of Pikachu's tail while running is more consistent with chipmunks.)

Pichu and several other "Pika-clones" may have similar origins.

PARAS & PARASECT

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Paras and Parasect are based on insects that have fallen victim to parasitic fungi. The base insect appears to be a cicada nymph (see Nincada), though Parasect also bears an uncanny resemblance to velvet mites (see Venonat).

VENONAT

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The fact that it oozes poison and has a body covered with stiff, protective hairs, combined with the fact that it evolves into a moth, suggests that Venonat may draw some inspiration from venomous caterpillars. (Megalopyge-genus caterpillars are particularly round.) It also seems to share characteristics with mites.

VENOMOTH

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Venomoth seems to combine the idea of toxic moths (tiger moths) with the appearance of toxic swallowtail butterflies, such as the Pipevine Swallowtail (which may explain its Shiny colors).

(NOTE: This is a Spicebush Swallowtail, a mimic of the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail. However, according to author Phillip J. Schappert, there's indication that even this species may be distasteful.)

MEOWTH & PERSIAN

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Meowth and Persian draw inspiration from Siamese cats (the latter also drawing inspiration from pumas).

While only Meowth has the color-tipped feet and tail characteristic of Siamese cats, Persian is classified as a Siamese Cat (Shamuneko) Pokémon in the Japanese games.

ARCANINE (SHINY)

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Arcanine's Shiny palette may be a nod to Golden Retrievers.

POLIWAG & POLIWHIRL

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Poliwag is based on a frog tadpole with hindlegs. The spiral on its belly represents the entrails that may be seen through the transparent bellies of tadpoles, especially younger ones. Poliwhirl could be interpreted as a metamorph froglet/tadpole with all four limbs (despite lacking a tail), Poliwrath a froglet, and Politoed an adult frog.

ABRA

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Like Abra, the North American opossum sleeps approximately 18 hours a day. This may be more than coincidence, given the rat-like tail of Abra's earliest sprites. It also seems to share characteristics with foxes (not pictured).

ONIX (SHINY)

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Onix seems to draw inspiration from earthworms, given its snake-like body and soil diet. Its Shiny form may be based on green earthworms.

LICKITUNG

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Lickitung seems to be based on lungless salamanders, many of which have projectile tongues (like a chameleon) and can secrete irritating substances.

KOFFING

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While it could be based on a virus pathogen, a chemical weapon, or air pollution, Koffing also seems to share similarities with false puffball slime molds (a type of amoeba). Not only do they both have a round body, lumpy texture, and spew a smoke-like fog, but false puffballs also feed on bacteria (mentioned in some of Weezing's 'dex entries) and can split themselves into clones (much like how Koffing grows and extra head when it evolves).

TANGELA

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Tangela is based on tangled vines, possibly leafless, parasitic vines such as the dodder (aka hairweed and witch's hair).

SCYTHER

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Scyther is based on the Japanese Giant Mantis. While these don't occur in the US, the Chinese Mantis (North America's largest mantid) belongs to the same genus and was once considered part of the same species.

PINSIR

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Pinsir is based on stag beetles.

DITTO (SHINY)

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Ditto's blob-like form and ability to change its shape into anything is reminiscent of modeling clay. Considering this, its Shiny palette may have been based on naturally occurring "blue" clay.

OMANYTE (HELIX FOSSIL)

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The Helix Fossil (Omanyte) is based on ammonoid, ancient spiral-shelled squid, fossils.

MEGANIUM

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Maganium seems to combine elements of various flowers, which may include hibiscuses (as well as amaryllises and/or, more distinctly, Titum arum). Its name is derived from geraniums.

SPINARAK

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Spinarak is based on spiders with face-like abdominal markings.

ARIADOS

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Ariados appears to draw inspiration from various spiders, especially orb-weavers. Its erect "hind legs" are reminiscent of the horns seen on spiny orb-weavers (Gasteracantha or Micrathena). Its name may be derived from the Ariadna genus of spiders.

TOGEPI

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Togepi seems to be based on an egg, especially one with spots. (Togetic, as its Japanese name suggests, may be based on a chick while Togekiss seems to be based on an adult bird, though it's unclear if they're based on any species in particular. They also have characteristics of fairies and angels, respectively.)

HOPPIP, SKIPLOOM, & JUMPLUFF

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This family is based on the life cycle of a dandelion.

YANMA (SHINY)

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While based on the Banded Darter dragonfly, Yanma's Shiny palette may draw inspiration from the Blue Dasher (or blue dragonflies in general).

WOOPER (SHINY)

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Wooper is based on the larval stage of a salamander. Its Shiny form resembles pale, newly-hatched larvae (though it may be more specifically based on an axolotl).

UMBREON

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Umbreon seems to be based on black cats. Several TCG cards suggest that Umbreon is more cat-like than other speculated origins (such as foxes and rabbits).

MURKROW

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Murkrow is based on crows.

PINECO

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Visually based on a pine cone, Pineco's Bug-typing and catergory are based on bagworms (whose cases may superficially resemble pine cones).

FORRETRESS

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Though it more closely resembles a giant clam, Forretress may also draw inspiration from nut-dwelling worms. It also somewhat resembles a walnut.

DUNSPARCE

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Dunsparce is based on the Tsuchinoko cryptid of Japan (aka "bee snake," hence Dunsparce's bee-like qualities). While this snake-like creature has yet to be proven to exist, hornworms (sphinx/hawk moth caterpillars) are among the creatures sometimes mistaken for it.

The hoop snake is essentially America's version of the Tsuchinoko. Long rumored to give chase to humans, some believe that racers (along with other colubrids) may have inspired tales of this cryptid. (Hoop snake is one of the black racer's common names.)

GLIGAR

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Gligar's design seems to be a pun on "scorpionfly."

SHUCKLE

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Shuckle seems to combine elements of various unrelated organisms. Given its category as the Mold Pokémon, it may draw some inspiration from slime molds with "tentacles." Based on its Bug-typing, Shuckle is also thought to draw inspiration from shelled scale insects that, similar to Shuckle's creation of Berry Juice, secrete a sweet honeydew.

HERACROSS (MEGA)

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Mega Heracross is based on Hercules Beetles.

BEAUTIFLY

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Beautifly is based on swallowtail butterflies, while the darker side of its behavior may have been inspired by The Calyptra-genus of moths (aka "vampire moths").

(NOTE: Although this Calyptra-genus moth, the Canadian owlet, has yet to be scientifically proven to feed on blood, there have been claims of it biting.)

DUSTOX

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Dustox is believed to be based on the Japanese Moon Moth, a close relative and lookalike of the American Luna Moth pictured here.

SEEDOT & NUZLEAF

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Seedot is based on acorns, while Nuzleaf may represent an oak seedling.

SURSKIT

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Surskit is based on a water strider nymph.

MASQUERAIN

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Masquerain represents the winged adult stage of a water strider, though it also seems to draw inspiration from damselflies and moths with eyespots.

NINCADA, NINJASK, & SHEDINJA

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This family is based on the life cycle of a cicada: nymph, adult, and shed skin.

VOLBEAT

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Volbeat is based on male fireflies.

BUDEW & ROSELIA

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Budew and Roselia are based on rose buds and roses.

TRAPINCH

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Trapinch is based on the larval stage of an antlion, also known as doodlebugs. The move Sand Tomb is based on the sand pit traps created by these insects.

VIBRAVA

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While representative of an adult antlion, Vibrava appears to draw more visual inspiration from mayflies. This may be a reference to the Japanese word for an adult antlion translating "thin-winged mayfly."

FLYGON

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Flygon represents the adult stage of an antlion. Its Dragon-typing and association with sandstorms may be a pun on "sanddragon" dragonflies.

SWABLU

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Swablu is believed to have been based on bluebirds.

CORPHISH & CRAWDAUNT

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Corphish and Crawdaunt are based on crayfish.

LILEEP (ROOT FOSSIL)

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The Root Fossil (Lileep) is based on crinoid—or "sea lily"—fossils.

(NOTE: This isn't a whole specimen, just the stalk.)

STARLY

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Starly is based on fledgling starlings.

KRICKETOT & KRICKETUNE

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Kricketot and Kricketune are based on crickets, possibly Red-Headed Bush Crickets.

BURMY, WORMADAM, & MOTHIM

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This family is based on the life-cycle of a bagworm, many species only maturing into flying moths if male while the larviform female stays inside her bag. However, Mothim seems to combine elements of various moths, including death's-head hawkmoths (not pictured).

COMBEE

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Combee is based on honey bees.

YANMEGA

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Yanmega draws inspiration from the Darner family of dragonflies.

LEAFEON & GLACEON

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Leafeon and Glaceon share similarities with colorpoint cats.

SNIVY & SERVINE

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While their names and pointed snouts suggest they draw inspiration from vine snakes, Snivy and Servine's Pokédex category and lack of a Poison-typing suggest that they may draw inspiration from grass snakes (another name for greensnakes) as well.

PURRLOIN

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Purrloin appears to be based on bicolor (tuxedo) cats. The white marks above its eyes suggest that it may be based on tuxedo tabbies.

PIDOVE & TRANQUILL

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Pidove and Tranquill draw inspiration from the Columbidae family of birds. Pidove more closely resembles a pigeon while Tranquill more closely resembles a dove.

TYMPOLE, PALPITOAD, & SEISMITOAD

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This family is based on the life cycle of a toad.

SEWADDLE

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Sewaddle is believed to draw visual inspiration from Silver-Spotted Skipper caterpillars.

WHIRLIPEDE

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Whirlipede is based on the defensive or resting position of a millipede.

LILLIGANT

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Lilligant is based on lilies. Since it evolves via Sun Stone, it may be based on daylilies.

MINCCINO

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Minccino is based on chinchillas.

VANILLITE, VANILLISH, & VANILLUXE

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This family is based on snow and icicles, but stylized to resemble ice cream.

DEERLING

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Deerling is based on a deer fawn.

KARRABLAST

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Karrablast is based on ground beetles (Carabidae) that eat snails.

JOLTIK

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Though its behavior is based on a tick, Joltik's appearance may draw more inspiration from baby tarantulas (not pictured) or jumping spiders.

FERROSEED

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Ferroseed seems to be based on cockelburs.

FERROTHORN

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Ferrothorn may be based on briers.

SHELMET

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Shelmet is based on snails (or at least representative of them).

MANDIBUZZ

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Mandibuzz is based on vultures.

VOLCARONA (SHINY)

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Shiny Volcarona's spotted yellow wings bring to mind Imperial Moths, a type of giant silkmoth.

FLETCHLING, FLETCHINDER, & TALONFLAME

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Fletchling and Fletchinder are based on robins. Fletchinder and Talonflame also bear some resemblance to cardinals (though waxwings are more likely), the latter further incorporating hawk and/or falcon features.

(NOTE: While the American robin above isn't a "true" robin, it's associated with fire—like this line—in North American mythology.)

NOIBAT

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Noibat is based on the vespertilionid family of microbats.

ZYGARDE CELL

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Zygarde cells are believed to be based on planarian flatworms.

(Do you see the derpy face?)

LITTEN & TORRACAT

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Litten and Torracat are based on tabby cats. The line as a whole may be a visual pun on "tiger cat," another name for mackerel/fishbone tabbies.

PIKIPEK

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Pikipek is based on woodpeckers.

CUTIEFLY & RIBOMBEE

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Cutiefly and Ribimbee are based on bee flies. Ribombee may be based specifically on the Greater Bee Fly, being larger in size and having a dark patch (its scarf).

ROCKRUFF

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Rockruff is based on Spitz breeds.

MORELULL

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Morelull seems to draw inspiration from "bonnet" mushrooms (Mycena), some of which exhibit bioluminescence. It gets its English name from morels.

SALANDIT

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Salandit is based on newts.

WIMPOD

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Wimpod is based on rock slaters (Ligiidae).

BUZZWOLE

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Buzzwole is based on invasive mosquitoes.

SKWOVET

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Skwovet is based on the eastern grey squirrel, which is invasive in the UK.

BLIPBUG, DOTTLER, & ORBEETLE

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This line is based on the life cycle of a lady beetle (more specifically, the seven-spotted lady beetle).

CHEWTLE & DREDNAW

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Drednaw is based on snapping turtles.

SIZZLIPEDE & CENTISKORCH

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Sizzlipede and Centiskorch seem to be visual puns on "fire centipede."

BOLTUND

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Boltund is based on foxhounds.

ROLYCOLY

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Rolycoly is based on coal.

FALINKS

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Falinks may be a visual pun on an "admiral caterpillar."

FROSMOTH

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While its silhouette more closely resembles an Indian Moon Moth (not pictured), Frosmoth's Chinese names suggest that may also draw inspiration from flannel moths. Its translucent wings may have been based on clearwing moths, which lose most of their scales during their first flight.

​

Also, just for fun, what would your Pokémon team look like based on things you've encountered IRL?

 

[bobandbill]

Quite the list! Seems well researched too.

Focusing just on those based on animals? Some of the inanimate ones might be rather straightforward, but then there's stuff like me seeing the bell Bronzong is based on in a museum years back, which was pretty neat.

 

[Sheep]

this is really cool

 

[icycatelf]

Added Scolipede.

Scolipede is believed to be based on the Scolopendra genus of centipedes, such as the Amazonian Giant Centipede. However, given the absence of this genus in New York and Scolipede's presence in Unova (a region based on New York), Scolipede could be interpreted as a general representation of Scolopendromorphs (bark centipedes, which includes Scolopendra). It may also represent centipedes as a whole.

Scolipede's Japanese name, Pendror, is also believed to come from Scolopendra. However, this spelling is closer to Scolopendromorph, further supporting that Scolipede may be a general representation of bark centipedes.

Quite the list! Seems well researched too.

Focusing just on those based on animals? Some of the inanimate ones might be rather straightforward, but then there's stuff like me seeing the bell Bronzong is based on in a museum years back, which was pretty neat.

I've also got some plants up there. I'm only focusing on things I've found in the wild, so I probably won't be adding any Pokémon based on man-made objects like Chimecho. However, come snowy weather I might take some pictures of snow-capped icicles for the Vanillite line.

How cool!

this is really cool

I'm glad you enjoy it!

Have you seen any "Pokémon" IRL?

 

[Sheep]

I assume I haven't seen any exciting ones other than obvious connections like Pidove/pigeon, but your thread makes me wonder just how many I may have missed. Dustox's inspiration is especially pretty, I had no idea its basis is such a beautiful-looking bug!

 

[icycatelf]

Found Whirlipede, too!

Despite its classification as a Centipede Pokémon, Whirlipede draws more inspiration from millipedes which, unlike centipedes, curl up when resting or if threatened.

I assume I haven't seen any exciting ones other than obvious connections like Pidove/pigeon, but your thread makes me wonder just how many I may have missed. Dustox's inspiration is especially pretty, I had no idea its basis is such a beautiful-looking bug!

I hope this thread encourages more people to get out and make some discoveries!

I'm still disappointed that they didn't give Dustox those beautiful tails, despite its counterpart having them. My guess is that they wanted its wings to be more crescent-shaped, nodding to the "moon" in Moon Moth. It's a real shame that it didn't get a Mega in ORAS, which could've included the tails.

 

[alisaie]

I was going to come in here and joke that I've seen a Kadabra (my cat) but man this is actually really amazing that you actually take your time to research and do all of this! Impressive!

 

[icycatelf]

I was going to come in here and joke that I've seen a Kadabra (my cat) but man this is actually really amazing that you actually take your time to research and do all of this! Impressive!

Thanks!

Just out of curiosity, which cat (or cat-like) Pokémon does your cat remind you of the most? Mine's a grey longhair with tabby markings on his face (faint elsewhere), but I can't quite pin one down for him. I'm hoping that Meowth's rumored "spiky ball of grey fur" alt. evo for Sword/Shield will be a close match.

 

[Fairy]

Gotta really commend you for your effort here, Icy! If I conjure up any Pokémon comparable to irl animals I'll be sure to contribute! :)

 

[Soaring Sid]

Superb, Icy! The Volcarona, Dustox, Starly and Flygon ones were excellent! Whirlipede, too! You really put a lot of time and effort into this, it seems. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[icycatelf]

Since I seem to be running out of IRL Pokémon to share, would you guys be interested in me sharing photos of things I think should be made into Pokémon? I could post maybe one per week to help keep the thread alive until the release of Sword & Shield. Off the top of my head, I can only think of six or so more current Pokémon whose real life counterparts I should be able to find around here.

Gotta really commend you for your effort here, Icy! If I conjure up any Pokémon comparable to irl animals I'll be sure to contribute! :)

Thanks, and please do!

Superb, Icy! The Volcarona, Dustox, Starly and Flygon ones were excellent! Whirlipede, too! You really put a lot of time and effort into this, it seems. Thanks for sharing this.

Glad you enjoyed them! Flygon's one of my favorite entries here too. :D

 

[Noblejanobii]

Wow these are all so cool and well researched! So much diversity as well. One of us needs to find a hedgehog soon so Shaymin can get added to the list.

 

[Fairy]

You could always add the ancient Coelacanth to represent Relicanth! In fact, most, if not all marine Pokemon have a basis in irl animals. Octillery, Mantine, Gorebyss, Remoraid, Alomomola.. the list goes on and on.

Sandslash and Pangolins are very similar as well! :)

 

[icycatelf]

Added a better representation for Corphish/Crawdaunt, a red crayfish!

Wow these are all so cool and well researched! So much diversity as well. One of us needs to find a hedgehog soon so Shaymin can get added to the list.

That would be sweet! One I won't likely be getting since there are sadly no native hedgehogs in the US.

You could always add the ancient Coelacanth to represent Relicanth! In fact, most, if not all marine Pokemon have a basis in irl animals. Octillery, Mantine, Gorebyss, Remoraid, Alomomola.. the list goes on and on.

Sandslash and Pangolins are very similar as well! :)

I'm only adding things I've personally seen in the wild IRL. However, if you've seen these any of these (even in an aquarium, zoo, etc.) and have pics, please share!

How I wish we had pangolins here! Sandshrew and Sandslash were among my very first Pokémon toys, so it'd be really cool if I could find those IRL.

 

[icycatelf]

Added Lileep! I actually found this one a few years ago, but I was reluctant to add it since the fossil was missing the iconic crown (head). However, given that Mewtwo was created from a fossilized eyebrow and Aerodactyl from a preserved blood sample, I imagine that even just the stalk of a crinoid could be revived as Lileep.

Crinoids, aka sea lilies, are plant-like relatives of starfish.

 

[Noblejanobii]

That would be sweet! One I won't likely be getting since there are sadly no native hedgehogs in the US.

Oh boo that's true for me too. Maybe someone's pet hedgehog will do. XD

 

[icycatelf]

Legendary Pokémon spotted! Well, the cells of a Legendary Pokémon. :P

Zygarde cells seem to be based on planarians, flatworms known for their amazing regenerative abilities.

 

[Hestia]

It seems nobody brought Poliwag up.

Also the tentacool family.

 

[icycatelf]

Spinarak?

Though popularly believed to be based on the Hawaiian happy-face spider, Spinarak could be based on any number of spiders with face-like markings on their abdomen. This may include some jumping spiders, such as the bold jumper above, which share a similar body shape with Spinarak. Jumping spiders don't make webs like Spinarak, suggesting that Spinarak may draw inspiration from multiple spiders, but they still spin silk threads to help them get around.

I also added another contender for Ariados, a spotted orb-weaver.

It seems nobody brought Poliwag up.

Also the tentacool family.

I've definitely seen "Poliwag." I've been meaning to get a pic of one's belly.

I've only seen one jelly in my whole life. It was washed up on the beach when we went on vacation YEARS ago. I wasn't a big fan of the beach so I haven't been to one since...

 

[icycatelf]

Added Murkrow and Morelull. I also swapped Spearow for Pidgey added a tick to Joltik's entry.