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22 Pokémon inspired by rare EDGE species

By on July 21, 2016 in EDGE Amphibians, EDGE birds, EDGE Mammals, EDGE Updates

Over the last few weeks, you may have found yourself among the millions of people chasing Pokémon around town. But did you know that many Pokémon Go characters are inspired by real animals? When it comes to Pokémon, the weirder the better, so it’s no surprise that so many endangered EDGE species have provided inspiration for these beloved characters. Their weird and wonderful physical and behavioural traits make these rare animals a perfect match for the Pokémon world.

Check out our list to see which of your favourite characters resemble EDGE species.

1. Articuno and Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus)

Articuno
Pokémon/Nintendo
Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus)
Roger Le Guen

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Bulbasaur and Bullock’s False Toad (Telmatobufo bullocki)

Bulbasaur
Pokémon/Nintendo
Bullock's False Toad (Telmatobufo bullocki)
Claudio Soto-Azat

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Chansey and Olm (Proteus anguinus)

Chansey
Pokémon/Nintendo
Olm (Proteus anguinus)
Arne Hodalič

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Charmander and Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus)

Charmander
Pokémon/Nintendo
Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus)
Nick Lindsay

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Dewgong and Dugong (Dugong dugon)

Dewgong
Pokémon/Nintendo
Dugong (Dugong dugon)
Patrick Louisy

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Drowzee and Asian tapir (Tapirus indicus)

Drowzee
Pokémon/Nintendo
Asian tapir (Tapirus indicus)
ZSL

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Farfetch’d and Sichuan Jay (Perisoreus internigrans)

Farfetch'd
Pokémon/Nintendo
Sichuan Jay (Perisoreus internigrans)
James Eaton

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Mankey and Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus)

Mankey
Pokémon/Nintendo
Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus)
Howard Wu

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Pikachu and Ili Pika (Ochotona iliensis)

Pikachu
Pokémon/Nintendo
Ili Pika (Ochotona iliensis)
Li Weidong

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Poliwrath and Purple frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis)

Poliwrath
Pokémon/Nintendo
Purple frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis)
Sathyabhama Das Biju

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Primeape and Red Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus)

Primeape
Pokémon/Nintendo
Red Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus)
Anna Nekaris

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. Psyduck and Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Psyduck
Pokémon/Nintendo
Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
Dave Watts

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. Rattata and Large Rock Rat (Cremnomys elvira)

Rattata
Pokémon/Nintendo
Large Rock Rat (Cremnomys elvira)
Brawin Kumar

 

 

 

 

 

 

14. Rhydon and Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)

Rhydon
Pokémon/Nintendo
Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)
Klaus Lang

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. Rhyhorn and Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)

Rhyhorn
Pokémon/Nintendo
Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
Pete Oxford

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. Sandshrew and Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica)

Sandshrew
Pokémon/Nintendo
Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica)
Nguyen Van Thai

 

 

 

 

 

 

17. Sandslash and Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)

Sandslash
Pokémon/Nintendo
Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)
Jason Chin

 

 

 

 

 

 

18. Seel and Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)

Seel
Pokémon/Nintendo
Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)
Zafer Kizilkaya

 

 

 

 

 

 

19. Tauros and European Bison (Bison bonasus)

Tauros
Pokémon/Nintendo

European Bison (Bison bonasus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

20. Vaporeon and Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Vaporeon
Pokémon/Nintendo
Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)
Richard Griffiths

 

 

 

 

 

 

21. Vulpix and California Channel Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis)

Vulpix
Pokémon/Nintendo
California Channel Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis)
Tim Hauf

 

 

 

 

 

 

22. Zubat and Cuban Greater Funnel-Eared Bat (Natalus primus)

Zubat
Pokémon/Nintendo
Cuban Greater Funnel-Eared Bat (Natalus primus)
Lida Sánchez

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know of any other Pokémon inspired by EDGE species? Let us know! Find the full list of species here and leave your additions in the comments.