Turtwig (Pokémon)

Turtwig ナエトル Naetle

Artwork from Platinum

Type Species  Grass  Tiny Leaf Pokémon Ability Exp. at 100 Overgrow 1,059,860 Pokédex National #387 Johto #— Hoenn #— Sinnoh #001 Browser Fiore R— Almia R-052 Height Weight 1'04" 22.5 lbs. Pokédex color Footprint Body style Catch rate Green 45 Gender ratio   87.5% male   12.5% female Egg groups Egg cycles Monster, Plant 21 (5355 steps) EV yield HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Exp. 64 External links On Legendary Pokémon Pokédex On Smogon Pokédex On Eevee's Pokédex On Psypoke Pokédex On Pokecharms Pokédex On Marriland Pokédex Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Turtwig (Japanese: ナエトル Naetle) is a Grass-type Pokémon.

It evolves into Grotle starting at level 18, who evolves into Torterra starting at level 32.

Along with Chimchar and Piplup, it is one of the three starter Pokémon the player can choose at the beginning of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.

Biology

Physiology

Turtwig's appearance is characteristic of a turtle or tortoise. Its prominent jawbone may denote a relationship to the snapping turtle. Its green and yellow body is covered by a shell. A small seedling grows on its head, similar to the plant bulb on Bulbasaur's back and the leaf on Chikorita's head.

Turtwig is a reptilian creature much like a tortoise. A sprout growing from its head reveals its Grass-type nature. The shell on its back is apparently made of earth. The soil-based shell on its back grows stronger when it absorbs water. Turtwig survives by carrying out photosynthesis with its whole body. The leaf on its head will wilt if it becomes thirsty. As a result, it lives in areas that are close to lakes.

Gender differences

None

Special abilities

Turtwig can utilize the Sun in order to use moves like Synthesis and SolarBeam. Its rock hard shell provides great defense but reduces its speed. Turtwig receives a huge power boost to its Grass-type moves when it is weary from battle. Turtwig are also capable of many other Grass-type moves such as Razor Leaf and Giga Drain.

Behavior

Turtwig is a Pokémon that tends to be non-violent. As a show of affection, a Turtwig have been known to chomp their trainer's head.

Turtwig is also sometimes either shy and lazy, or outgoing and protective.

Habitat

Turtwig are somewhat scarce in the wild. They're usually given to young Pokémon Trainers as a starter Pokémon by Professor Rowan. Turtwig can be found living along lakes in dense forests. When it drinks, the shell on its back becomes harder.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

As a plant-based Pokémon, Turtwig usually nourishes itself through photosynthesis. It can eat berries like other Pokémon.

In the anime

Ash's Turtwig

Turtwig made its debut appearance in Following a Maiden Voyage.

Ash obtained his Turtwig in Gettin' Twiggy With It.

The Gym Leader Gardenia has a Turtwig that first appeared in The Grass-Type is Always Greener!.

Another Turtwig also appeared in Classroom Training!.

Paul's starter was a Turtwig, which has fully evolved into a Torterra. It appeared as a Turtwig in a flashback with Paul in DP128.

Pokédex entries

In the manga

Diamond owns a Turtwig, which he nicknamed "Wig" in Pokémon Adventures, which evolved into a Grotle simultaneously with Chimhiko (Pearl's Chimchar), and Platinum's Piplup in Eterna City, and then again in Veilstone City into a Torterra along with Chimhiko.

In the TCG

Main article: Turtwig (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

Stats

Base stats

Pokéthlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Turtwig is capable of learning the following moves in Generation IV.

• Moves in bold are damaging moves to which STAB applies.

By leveling up

By TM/HM

By breeding

By tutoring

Side game data

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness
Body size: 1	Recruit Rate: 8.2%	IQ Group: E
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Grass	Poké Assist: ( Grass )	Field Move: (None)
"It attacks by spitting leaves and seeds."

Evolution

Unevolved Turtwig  Grass

Level 18 →

First evolution Grotle  Grass

Level 32 →

Second evolution Torterra  Grass  Ground

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow	Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal			Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald	FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III.
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum	HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back

For other sprites and images, please see Turtwig images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Turtwig is the heaviest of the basic forms of all of the starters.
• Turtwig, along with Totodile, are the only starters who evolve at level 18. This is also the highest level a starter Pokémon evolves.
• Turtwig is the only starter Pokémon that knows a move that is neither Normal-type nor its primary type when given to the player.

Origin

Turtwig is based on a snapping turtle with plant characteristics.

Name origin

Turtwig is a combination of turtle and twig. Naetle is derived from 苗 nae, the Japanese word for sprout, and turtle.

In other languages

• German: Chelast - From Chelonia (the genus of the green turtle) and Ast (branch).
• French: Tortipouss - From tortue (tortoise) and pousse (bud).
• Korean: 모부기 Mobugi - Combination of 모 Mo (sprout) and 거북이 Geobugi (turtle).
• Chinese (Taiwan): 草苗龜 Caǒ Miáo Guī

Related articles

• Ash's Turtwig
• Gardenia's Turtwig
• Paul's Turtwig

Notes

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.