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Caterpie (Pokémon)

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009 #009: Blastoise
Pokémon
#011: Metapod 011
Caterpie
キャタピー Caterpie
#010
010Caterpie.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type
 Bug 
Species
Worm Pokémon
Ability
Shield Dust
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Kanto
#010
Johto
#024
Hoenn
#212*
Regional Browser numbers
Not in any regional Browser
Height
1'00"
Imperial
0.3m
Metric
Weight
6.4lbs
Imperial
2.9kg
Metric
Dex color
Green
Footprint
 F010.png 
Body style
Body02.png
Catch rate
255
33.3%
Gender ratio
50% male, 50% female
Breeding
Bug group 11 cycles
(2805 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
1
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 53 Battle Exp.: 378*

Caterpie (Japanese: キャタピー Caterpie) is a Bug-type Pokémon.

It evolves into Metapod starting at level 7, who evolves into Butterfree starting at level 10.

Contents

Biology

Physiology

Caterpie resembles a green caterpillar with yellow ring-shaped markings down the sides of its body. Its most notable characteristic is the bright orange antennae on its head. These and the large eye-shaped markings help to startle predators. It shares many characteristics with other larval Pokémon such as Weedle and Wurmple, suggesting that their evolutionary lines are closely related.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

The antennae on its head will emit a terrible stench from it if the Caterpie is frightened or if the antennae are touched. This serves as an effective protective mechanism against most predators. Its feet are tipped with suction cups, permitting this Pokémon to scale most surfaces with minimal effort. It can also spit a string from its mouth in order to entangle foes as the viewers see in Ash Catches a Pokémon, when Caterpie uses string shot on the villainous Team Rocket.

Behavior

Caterpie grow very quickly, and need to eat voraciously in order to meet their energy requirements. They have various adaptations which permit them to safely devour plant material, including an antennae that releases a horrible smell. It will shed its skin many times before finally cocooning itself in thick silk. While some Trainers are disgusted by the idea of Bug-type Pokémon, they are ideal targets for new Trainers as they are fairly weak in the wild and evolve into their final forms at a low level.

Habitat

Caterpie can often be found in wooded areas, such as Viridian Forest. It is native to the Kanto and the Johto region, but has also been encountered in Sinnoh as well.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Caterpie primarily feed on vegetation, such as tree leaves. According to Pokémon Adventures, its favorite food is the Vermilion flower.

In the anime

Caterpie in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Caterpie

Ash Ketchum had a Caterpie he caught in Ash Catches a Pokémon that evolved into Metapod in the same episode and then Butterfree the following episode.

Other

A Caterpie that appeared in Caterpie's Big Dilemma belonging to a young trainer named Xander ate some of Dr. Gordon's enhanced Rare Candies and turned giant. Xander's Caterpie eventually evolved into a Mothra-sized Butterfree.

Minor appearances

A Pink Caterpie appeared in In the Pink.

A Caterpie appeared in The Bug Stops Here. Misty chases it away when it is talking with Togepi

A Caterpie appeared in For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll.

A Caterpie was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School!.

A Caterpie appeared under the possession of a Coordinator in Hi Ho Silver Wind!

A Caterpie also appeared in One Big Happiny Family! in Jessie's fantasy.

A Caterpie appeared in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.

In the English dub of The Legend of Thunder!, Attila mentioned he used to collect Caterpie and says that they are "very sweet creatures".

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Pokédex Entry
AG142 Caterpie May's Pokédex Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon. Caterpie uses the suction cups on its feet to climb trees and feed on its favorite leaves.
This concludes the entries from the Advanced Generation series.

In the manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Ash's Butterfree

Ash's Caterpie appears in the manga series The Electric Tale of Pikachu.

Caterpie is the second wild Pokémon that Ash captures in the manga. It was caught in Pikachu, I See You!. It evolves twice in Play Misty For Me - first into Metapod while Ash is showing off his Pokémon to Misty, and then into Butterfree during his Gym Battle against Misty.

Ash is not shown releasing his Butterfree in the manga, although it is not seen after Clefairy Tale.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Kitty

Caterpie's first appearance is a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory. It also makes a cameo in The Secret of Kangaskhan.

Yellow had a Caterpie named Kitty, which she did not want to evolve. However, in the battle against Lance, she did not have her Pokédex, which she needed to stop her Pokémon from evolving, and so Caterpie evolved into Metapod and then into Butterfree right afterwards.

In the Pokémon Get da ze! manga

Shū has a Caterpie that he uses in various creative ways, mostly involving strange uses of its String Shot.

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team manga

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, a Caterpie was attacked by an Ariados. Ginji had to save the Caterpie from harm.

In the TCG

Main article: Caterpie (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

  • Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Caterpie is rescued in the first mission of the game. It is too young to be of any help to the rescue team but remains a strong fan throughout the game, even in its darkest hour.

Pokédex entries

Pokédex entry
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red
Blue
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
Yellow
If you touch the feeler on top of its head, it will release a horrible stink to protect itself.
Generation II
Gold
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.
Silver
Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.
Crystal
It crawls into foliage where it camouflages itself among leaves that are the same color as its body.
Generation III
Ruby
Sapphire
Caterpie has a voracious appetite. It can devour leaves bigger than its body right before your eyes. From its antenna, this Pokémon releases a terrifically strong odor.
Ruby
{{{rubydex}}}
Sapphire
{{{sapphiredex}}}
Emerald
Its voracious appetite compels it to devour leaves bigger than itself without hesitation. It releases a terribly strong odor from its antennae.
FireRed
LeafGreen
{{{frlgdex}}}
FireRed
It is covered with a green skin. When it grows, it sheds the skin, covers itself with silk, and becomes a cocoon.
LeafGreen
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
Generation IV
Diamond
Pearl
{{{dpdex}}}
Diamond
Pearl
Platinum
It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly..
Diamond
{{{diamonddex}}}
Pearl
{{{pearldex}}}
Platinum
{{{platinumdex}}}
HeartGold
SoulSilver
{{{hgssdex}}}
HeartGold
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.
SoulSilver
Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.
Generation V
Black
White
Pokédex entry is unavailable at this time. Data will be entered when the Pokédex entry has been verified.
Black
{{{blackdex}}}
White
{{{whitedex}}}


Alternate games

Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base Set, Base Set 2, Legendary Collection)
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
Pokémon Trading Card Game (Neo Discovery)
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red Blue
Rare (Red)
Common (Blue)
Route 25, Viridian Forest (Red)
Routes 2, 24, and 25, Viridian Forest (Blue)
Yellow
Common Viridian Forest
Generation II
Gold Silver
Common Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Bug-Catching Contest, Headbutt trees (Gold)
Bug-Catching Contest (Silver)
Crystal
Common Routes 2, 24, 25, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Bug-Catching Contest
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
Common Routes 2, 24, and 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Dongle Route 204 (FireRed)
Platinum
Dongle Route 204, Eterna Forest (FireRed)
HeartGold SoulSilver
Common Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Bug-Catching Contest, Viridian Forest, Headbutt trees (HeartGold)
Bug-Catching Contest (SoulSilver)
Pal Park
Forest
Generation V
Black White
None Trade

In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Channel Viridian Forest
Pokémon Trozei! Phobos Train
Endless Level 9
Trozei Battle
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Wish Cave (2F-4F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Apple Woods (1F-4F)
Oran Forest (1F-4F)
Pokémon Rumble Silent Forest

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Red* Blue* Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
HP: 45
105 - 152 200 - 294
Attack: 30
31 - 90 58 - 174
Defense: 35
36 - 95 67 - 185
Sp.Atk: 20
22 - 79 40 - 152
Sp.Def: 20
22 - 79 40 - 152
Speed: 45
45 - 106 85 - 207
Total: 195   Other Pokémon with this total  
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature.
  • This Pokémon's  Special  base stat in Generation I was 20.


Pokéathlon stats

Speed
2/3 ★★
Power
1/3 ☆☆
Skill
4/4 ★★★★
Stamina
2/3 ★★
Jump
2/2 ★★
Total
11/15 ★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IV, this Pokémon is:
Weak to
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant against
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Unaffected by
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Damaged normally by
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: I - II - III
Level Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
Start Tackle Normal Physical 35 95% 35 Tough 3 ♥♥♥
Start String Shot Bug Status 95% 40 Smart 2 ♥♥
15 Bug BitePtHGSS Bug Physical 60 100% 20 Tough 0  
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon

By TM/HM

None.

By breeding

None.

By tutoring

Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: II - III
Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
D P Pt HG SS Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20 Tough 0  
D P Pt HG SS Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15 Cute 3 ♥♥♥
D P Pt HG SS String Shot Bug Status 95% 40 Smart 2 ♥♥
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available.

TCG-only moves

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 Pin010.png Pin010.gif 
Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
 Trozeiani010.gif 
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
MDP010.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 10.2%
Friend Area: Mist-Rise Forest
Phrases
51%-100% HP I'll eat lots and grow big.
26%-50% HP This is so hard... My health is down to half.
1%-25% HP I can't keep up... I can't spit silk anymore...
Level up I leveled up! Happy!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up I leveled up! Happy!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
MDP010.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 8.2%
IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.

Evolution

Caterpie
Unevolved
Caterpie
 Bug 
Rare Candy
Level 7


Metapod
First evolution
Metapod
 Bug 
Rare Candy
Level 10


Butterfree
Second evolution
Butterfree
 Bug  Flying 


Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
Spr 1b 010.png Spr 1y 010.png Spr 1g 010.png Spr b g1 010.png
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Spr 2g 010.png Spr 2s 010.png Spr 2c 010.gif Spr b g2 010.png
Spr 2g 010 s.png Spr 2s 010 s.png Spr 2c 010 s.gif Spr b g2 010 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 010.png Spr 3e 010.gif Spr 3f 010.png Spr b g3 010.png
Spr 3r 010 s.png Spr 3e 010 s.gif Spr 3f 010 s.png Spr b g3 010 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 010.png Spr 4p 010.png Spr 4h 010.png Spr b g4 010.png
Spr 4d 010 s.png Spr 4p 010 s.png Spr 4h 010 s.png Spr b g4 010 s.png
Caterpie For other sprites and images, please see Caterpie images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

  • Caterpie was the first Pokémon to be seen evolving in the anime.
    • It is also the first Pokémon to be seen being caught in the anime, by Ash Ketchum.
  • Caterpie, along with Weedle and Wurmple, evolve at level 7, the lowest level required for any Pokémon that evolves by leveling up.
  • Caterpie is the first Bug-type Pokémon in National Pokédex order.
  • Caterpie is the first Pokémon in National Pokédex order which has the same name in English and Japanese.
  • Caterpie shares the same species name with Wurmple. They are both known as Worm Pokémon.
  • Though Caterpie's ability to release a terrible smell is mentioned in many of its Pokédex entries, it cannot have the ability Stench.
  • Caterpie shares its in-game cry with Goldeen.
  • Until the release of Pokémon Platinum, when it became able to learn Bug Bite, Caterpie was unable to do anything to a Ghost-type outside of struggling except lower its Speed. This is also true for Weedle against Steel-types before Pokémon Platinum was released.
  • Caterpie is the first Pokémon in National Pokédex order that isn't related to a starter Pokémon.

Origin

Caterpie is a stylized caterpillar, most likely resembling a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar.

Name origin

Caterpie's name is a corruption of caterpillar.

In other languages

  • German: Raupy - A tweaking of Raupe (caterpillar).
  • French: Chenipan - From chenille (caterpillar), and pan (trail); also a pun on chenapan (rascal).
  • Korean: 캐터피 Kaeteopi - Corruption of caterpillar.
  • Chinese (Taiwan): 綠毛蟲 Lǜ Máo Chóng - "Green caterpillar" or, literally, "green furry worm".
  • Chinese (Hong Kong): 綠毛蟲 Lǜ Máo Chóng - Green caterpillar.

Related articles

External links

Notes



009 #009: Blastoise
Pokémon
#011: Metapod 011
Project Pokédex logo.png This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.
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