10 Pokémon That Are Basically Real Animals

Many Pokémon are loosely based on real-life animals, but these 10 are practically identical to the animals they were inspired by.

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For more than 20 years, the Pokémon franchise has introduced countless iconic Pokémon. Regardless of one’s favorite character, the franchise has done a remarkable job creating memorable Pokemon during its continuance. Considering there are currently almost 900 different types of Pokémon, some are inevitably more noteworthy than others.

The designs and origins of many Pokémon are influenced by fantasy, resulting in impressively unique creatures. With this in mind, however, there are undeniable similarities to real-world aspects, especially animals. For those who have played the video game installments or are an avid fan of the anime and manga adaptations, here are some Pokémon that are basically just real animals.

10 Toucannon Is A Toucan

Toucannon was first introduced in Pokémon Sun & Moon and is the final evolution of Pikipek. This bird Pokémon was also featured in the anime adaptation Pokémon: Sun & Moon in the episode “First Catch in Alola, Ketchum-Style!”

Bizarrely, Pikipek, the Pokémon’s first form, is based on a Woodpecker and looks nothing like a Toucan. However, the creators clearly decided to model Toucannon after an adult Toucan, barely even changing the South American bird’s name, which undeniably served as their inspiration.

9 Drowzee Is A Malayan Tapir

Drowzee, everyone’s favorite Psychic-type Pokémon first introduced in Pokémon Red & Blue, was actually based on a Malayan Tapir. These mammals weigh up to 500lbs and are most commonly found in Southeast Asia.

Drowzee’s iconic snout is one of its most prominent and recognizable physical features, which Tapirs use to grab food like an elephant. Unfortunately, Malayan Tapirs don’t have any psychic or hypnosis abilities, but the resemblance between the two is unmistakable.

8 Psyduck Is A Platypus

Fans of Pokémon are undoubtedly familiar with Psyduck’s erratic behavior throughout the series. The fan-favorite Pokémon was even featured in the live-action Detective Pikachu movie. As it turns out, Psyduck’s name is a bit misleading as the Pokémon isn’t actually a duck, nor was it inspired by one.

More accurately, Psyduck’s appearance was modeled after a Platypus, which are perhaps as equally enigmatic as Psyduck. Platypuses are one of the few mammals in the world that lays eggs. Like Psyduck, they spend most of their time in or around water as well, though they’re notably less prone to debilitating headaches.

7 Sandshrew Is A Sunda Pandolin

Pokémon fans have difficulty agreeing on what real-life animal served as the inspiration for Sandshrew, but the general consensus is that the Ground-type Pokémon was based on a Sunda Pangolin. The Sunda Pandolin, another mammal found in Southeast Asia, is characterized by its prominent claws, which it uses for digging like Sandshrew.

Fans have also theorized that Sandshrew is instead based on an armadillo, though the digging habits and general appearance of the Sunda Pangolin bears a much closer resemblance. Pangolins, like Sandshrew, can even roll into a ball to protect themselves.

6 Ursaring Is A Brown Bear

Ursaring, the fully evolved form of Teddiursa, was first introduced in the second generation Pokémon games, Gold & Silver. Though Ursarings are described as a unique species, they bear an unmistakable resemblance to a North American Brown Bear.

Like Brown Bears, Ursarings are incredibly protective of their young, violently so if necessary, and have a highly developed sense of smell. Interestingly, a Brown Bear’s sense of smell is 2,100 times better than that of a human, making Ursaring’s characteristics surprisingly accurate.

5 Chatot Is A Yellow Collared Lovebird

Chatot is a Flying-type Pokémon able to mimic human speech. First introduced in the fourth generation Pokemon games, Chatot also made several appearances in the anime adaption. Though Chatot has a unique physical appearance based on musical references, the avian Pokémon was heavily inspired by the Yellow Collared Lovebird.

The similarities in their coloring are perhaps the most easily identifiable commonality between the two. Though they look similar, however, the Yellow Collared Lovebird is unable to mimic human speech, even though they’re from the same family as Parrots.

4 Caterpie Is An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Caterpie is one of the most memorable Pokémon in the franchise, as it’s one of the first creatures players can catch in Pokémon Red & Blue. Caterpie also plays a big part in the first season of the Pokémon anime adaptation.

Since Caterpie is literally a caterpillar in both name and appearance, it’s no surprise that it was based on a real-life insect. However, Caterpie was actually based on a specific type of caterpillar found in North America, called “Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.” Between the large eyes and protruding “horn,” the resemblance is undeniable.

3 Fennekin Is A Fennec Fox

Fennekin is an adorable Fire-type Pokémon first introduced in the Pokémon X & Y video games. Its name, Fennekin, is a dead giveaway to the animal it’s clearly based on, a Fennec Fox.

Equally adorable, Fennec Foxes are native to the Sahara Desert, which undoubtedly inspired Fennekin’s fire-based abilities. Both creatures have distinctly large ears, which also loosely share a similar function. Fennec Foxes use their ears to keep cool in the desert, and Fennekins use theirs to vent hot air.

2 Articuno Is A Black-throated Magpie Jay

Articuno is one of the three legendary bird Pokémon, first introduced in Pokémon Red & Blue. This Ice-type Pokémon is notoriously frustrating to catch. Players fondly remember resetting their Gameboys in countless attempts to acquire the rare Pokémon.

Interestingly, Articuno’s appearance was based on a “Black-throated Magpie Jay.” This long-tailed bird is native to Northern Mexico and has feathers on its head that closely resemble Articuno. Fortunately, the Magpie Jay is much more common than the legendary Articuno.

1 Pidove Is A Pidgeon

Perhaps one of the most obvious “real animal” Pokémon is Pidove. Not only is its name a giveaway of the bird that inspired it, but its appearance is almost identical to a Pidgeon. Pidove was first introduced in the fifth generation Pokemon games, Black & White.

Unfortunately for Pidoves, they’re considered to be one of the less intelligent Pokémon, which is referenced in both the Pokémon anime and Detective Pikachu. They often demonstrate their inability to remember anything, including their own names.

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