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Animals in the Pokémon world

2026-05-31T15:03:39Z

DatBoiWZ: /* Pokémon Chapter Books */

[[File:Pokemon dog.jpg|thumb|240px|A real-world dog featured in a picture book]]
'''Real-world animals''' have been mentioned a number of times to exist in the [[Pokémon world|world of Pokémon]]. Most often, they are mentioned in relation to a [[Pokémon category]]. For example, {{p|Pikachu}} is known as the "Mouse Pokémon" and was directly referred to in ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'' as an "electric mouse", hinting that real-world mice exist in the [[Pokémon world]]. Other than this, all other mentions of animals are rare.

==Pokémon categories==
Some [[Pokémon category]] names are animals, such as the Poodle Pokémon ({{p|Furfrou}}'s category), which implies that there are not only dogs, but different breeds of dogs.
The [[Pokédex]] routinely mentions the category of each Pokémon in various media. For example, in the ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'' episode ''[[EP012|Here Comes the Squirtle Squad]]'', {{Ash}}'s [[Pokédex]] tells him the category of {{p|Squirtle}}, a Tiny {{wp|Turtle}} Pokémon, and in the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga round ''[[PS350|Boogying with Buneary]]'', {{adv|Diamond}}'s Pokédex displays the category of {{p|Buneary}}, a {{wp|Rabbit}} Pokémon. Additionally, Pokémon categories can be found on {{Trading Card Game}} cards.

==In the core series games==
[[File:RG Old Amber.png|thumb|150px|Old Amber artwork]]
* In the [[Generation I]] games, the {{tc|Bird Keeper}} class has a sprite that depicts them holding a generic bird on their arm.
* In Generation I artwork of [[Old Amber]], there is a mosquito or similar insect visible within the item.
* In the Generation I games and their [[remake]]s:
** A {{tc|Sailor}} mentions that {{wp|jellyfish}} sometimes drift aboard the [[S.S. Anne]].
** A chef aboard the [[S.S. Anne]] mentions several meat dishes: "''{{wp|Eel}}s au Barbecue''", "''{{wp|Salmon}} du Salad''", and "''Prime {{wp|cattle|Beefsteak}}''".
** A {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}} in the [[Team Rocket Hideout|Rocket Hideout]] insults the player by calling them a little rat.
** A {{tc|Tamer}} in the [[Fuchsia Gym]] mentions having joined the Gym due to "ninjas' long history with animals".
* In {{game|Yellow}}, the [[non-player character]] at the [[Pikachu's Beach|Summer Beach House]] mentions these meat products: ''"Dogs and burgers on special today!"''
** In the French, German, and Spanish version, he mentions hot dogs and burgers as well. However, in the Japanese version, this is yakisoba ramen (Japanese: ラーメンやきソバ) and in the Italian version, this is "panini caldi".
* In {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, {{tc|Bird Keeper}} Katherine on [[Sinnoh Route 211]] says "I go everywhere with my {{p|Noctowl|NOCTOWL}}. We’re gonna show you owl best! Ha!" This is a pun on "{{wp|owl}}" and "our".
* In Sinnoh-based games, there is a [[Trainer class]] named [[Cowgirl]], which references cows.
* In {{game|Black and White|s}}, a Trainer in the [[Battle Subway]] says he is so obsessed with Pokémon that his wife is as mad as a {{wp|hornet}}.
* In the [[Generation V]] games, [[Burgh]]'s {{badge|Insect}} is named Beetle Badge (ビートルバッジ) in Japanese.
* In {{g|X and Y}}:
** Fresh-caught {{wp|fish}} is served at the restaurants in [[Lumiose City]].
* In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}:
** The [[Insect Plate]] is described as being imbued with the essence of bugs.
** The English name of [[Horseshoe Plains]] implies the existence of horseshoes, and by extension, real horses. However, the Japanese name for Horseshoe Plains, {{tt|蹄鉄|ていてつ}}{{tt|ヶ|が}}{{tt|原|はら}} ''Horseshoe Meadow'', includes the Japanese word for horseshoe, 蹄鉄, which contains the Japanese words for ''hoof'' and ''iron'', not horse.
** The names of [[Deertrack Heights]] and [[Deertrack Path]] mention deer.
* In {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}:
** The restaurant food item, Paella de Paldea, has what appears to be {{wp|mussel}}s in the dish.
** [[Katy]], when defeated, exclaims that all of her Pokémon dropped like {{wp|fly|flies}}.
** [[Ortega]] refers to the current state of the [[Naranja Academy]]{{sup/9|S}}/[[Uva Academy]]{{sup/9|V}} as "all rainbows and butterflies".
** In Pokémon Scarlet, according to an article from a September issue of {{DL|Magazines in the Pokémon world|Occulture}} magazine, leading theories hold that {{p|Great Tusk}} is "a living relic of the dinosaur era".
** A coral reef can be seen growing inside the [[Terarium]]'s [[Coastal Biome]].

===Moves===
* The name and description of the [[move]] {{m|Raging Bull}} mention bulls.
* The name of the move {{m|Crabhammer}} mentions crabs.

===Items===
* The [[Shoal Shell]] resembles no known Pokémon, but does resemble the shells of {{wp|clams}}.

===Battle animations===
[[File:Attack Order VI 2.png|thumb|250px|Bees in the animation of {{m|Attack Order}} in [[Generation VI]]]]
Some in-battle animations depict real-world animals.
* In several games, yellow birds can be seen circling around a {{status|Confusion|confused}} Pokémon. Yellow birds also appear in {{m|Dizzy Punch}}'s battle animations.
* {{wp|Bee}}s appear in the battle animations for {{p|Vespiquen}}'s [[signature move]]s {{m|Attack Order}}, {{m|Defend Order}}, and {{m|Heal Order}}.
* Flies appear in {{m|Gunk Shot}}'s battle animation in [[Generation VI]].

===Pokédex entries===
Several [[Pokédex entry|Pokédex entries]] imply the existence of real-world animals.
* {{wp|Indian elephant}}s are mentioned in entries for {{p|Raichu}} and {{p|Gastly}}. However, in [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]], Raichu's entry instead mentions {{p|Copperajah}}.
* {{p|Bellsprout}} preys on {{wp|insects}}.
* {{p|Victreebel}} uses the sweet aroma of its honey to lure prey such as {{wp|bug}}s, as well as large animals.
* {{p|Horsea}} preys on {{wp|bug}}s. It also uses {{wp|coral}} as an anchor to avoid being washed away, as well as for shade to build its nest in.
* {{p|Lickitung}} can extend its tongue like a {{wp|chameleon}}.
* {{p|Aerodactyl}} lived in the "age of dinosaurs", also referred to as the "dinosaur era", and was resurrected from a dinosaur’s genes.
* Coral branches grow from {{p|Corsola}}'s head, and are a food source for {{p|Mareanie}}.
* {{p|Luvdisc}} congregate and make their homes in coral reefs.
* {{p|Shellos}} and {{p|Gastrodon}} eat microscopic {{wp|plankton}}.
* {{p|Flutter Mane}} has similar features to a ghostly {{wp|pterosaur}} that was covered in a paranormal magazine, but the two have little else in common.
* {{p|Brute Bonnet}} is said to be a cross between a dinosaur and a mushroom.

==In the side series games==
* In {{g|Colosseum}}, when [[Nascour]] asks [[Venus]] about the progress of her takeover of [[The Under]], she comments that "a couple {{wp|mouse|mice}} appear to be running loose".

==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Snap===
In {{g|Snap}}, {{wp|coral}} reefs can be seen.

===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series===
In {{g|Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness}}, Weezing and Zubat call the player's [[Partner Pokémon (Mystery Dungeon)|partner]] a chicken.

===Pokémon Ranger series===
In {{vg|Pokémon Ranger}}, one of the foes says that goat milk cheese is his favorite.

In {{g|Ranger: Guardian Signs}}, {{wp|barnacle}}s can be seen in underwater areas.

===Detective Pikachu===
In {{OBP|Detective Pikachu|video game}}, a boat is described as having 400 {{wp|horsepower}}.

===Pokémon Masters EX===
In [[Pokémon Masters EX]], during a morning log-in conversation, [[Adaman]] says that "[...] the early bird catches the worm!"

===Hey You, Pikachu===
In the game manual of [[Hey You, Pikachu]], [[Professor Oak]] mentions animals when explaining the PokéHelper device: ''"Like all Pokémon and most animals, Pikachu is easily confused by long sentences, so say words one at a time."''

===e-Reader games===
In the [[e-Reader]] game [[Machop at Work]], birds appears circling the [[fainting|fainted]] {{p|Machop}} if it loses the game from being hit by a falling rock.

==In animation==
[[File:Concept art cat.png|thumb|250px|A real-world cat in concept art]]
===''Pokémon the Series''===
Real-life animals have been seen and mentioned in {{aniseries|PTS}}. They were more common in {{aniseries|OS}}, as there weren't as many [[Pokémon (species)|species of Pokémon]] introduced at the time. A picture book based on the series once featured a {{wp|dog}} walking past {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}}, and a piece of concept art of the residents of [[Pallet Town]] featured a {{wp|cat}}. Birds can also occasionally be heard in the background. Foods that contain meat products, such as {{wp|hamburgers}} and {{wp|chicken}}, are often seen.<ref>https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-01-9784091145772 - Shogakukan's TV Picture Book "Pocket Monsters (7) Ghost Pokémon and the Summer Festival"</ref> In addition, the guidebook ''[[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]]'' confirmed that there were indeed animals in the {{pkmn|world}}, and also revealed that {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} weren't related to animals at all.

Despite Pokémon themselves being unrelated to animals, it appears that behavioral and predator-prey dynamics still apply to Pokémon based on the animals they resemble. {{MTR}} still considers himself a cat and displays cat-like behaviour frequently while in the episode ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]'', {{TP|Jessie|Jessie's Ekans|Arbok}} was afraid of a real-life mongoose, a predator of snakes and cobras. Pokémon occasionally display traits of other animals, Ash's {{AP|Charizard}} being seen scratching its neck with its leg like a dog would.

In [[S02|Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands]], the four [[Gym]] [[Badge]]s are made up of {{wp|seashell}}s with a gem on the center of the shell. This implies that {{wp|mollusc}}s exist within the Pokémon world.
[[File:Cissy Badge.png|thumb|250px|Ash holds up the {{Badge|Coral-Eye}}, which appears to be made of one half of a {{wp|clam}} shell.]]

However, animal appearances in the series become less frequent as more Pokémon have been added to take their places.

===={{aniseries|OS}}====
[[File:EP001 worm.png|thumb|250px|A wild Pidgey eating a regular worm in {{rt|1|Kanto}}]]
* ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
:When Ash overslept and didn't get a Pokémon, {{an|Professor Oak}} says in the English dub, "The early bird catches a worm, or... in this case... A Pokémon...".
:A wild {{p|Pidgey}} can be seen eating a {{wp|worm}} right before {{Ash}} tries to catch it.
* ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]''
:Various animals were mentioned by {{TRT}}. Mostly, they referred to {{MTR}} as a cat, and {{AP|Pikachu}} as a mouse.
:Professor Oak leaves a call with Ash to accept a delivery of an anchovies, spinach, and pineapple pizza.
* ''[[EP003|Ash Catches a Pokémon]]''
:{{an|Misty}} is scared when she sees a {{AP|Caterpie}}, and Ash tries to calm her down by reminding her that it's a {{type|Bug}} ''Pokémon'' rather than a "real" {{wp|bug}}.
:{{AP|Pidgeotto}} is seen eating a regular worm before being captured by Ash.

[[File:Ash cow suit.png|thumb|250px|Ash in a cow costume]]
* ''[[EP004|Challenge of the Samurai]]''
:As a pun on {{tt|'''虫'''|むし}} (''mushi'', "insect") and {{tt|'''牛'''|うし}} (''ushi'', "cow"), Ash is seen in a {{wp|cow}} costume because Misty is scared of bugs. In the [[dub]], he makes a pun saying, "{{p|Caterpie|Cowterpie}}".
* ''[[EP007|The Water Flowers of Cerulean City]]''
:{{wp|Fish}} can be seen in the fish tanks inside the [[Cerulean Gym|Gym]]. They have made later appearances featuring the Cerulean Gym.
* ''[[EP008|Path to the Pokémon League]]''
:Misty mentions that [[A.J.]]'s ability to control Pokémon with a whip is similar to a {{wp|lion}} {{wp|lion tamer|tamer}}.
* ''[[EP012|Here Comes the Squirtle Squad]]''
:After Ash, Misty, and {{an|Brock}} fall into the [[Squirtle Squad]]'s pitfall trap, a {{wp|dinosaur fossil}} can be seen.
* ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]''
:A cooked {{wp|lobster}} can be seen as food served on the ship.
:A fish is seen on the counter while James is running after his {{i|Poké Ball}} in the sinking ship.
:In the Japanese version, the [[Magikarp salesman]] tells [[James]] that {{p|Magikarp}} is the king of {{wp|koi}}. This is a reference to "Koiking", the Japanese name of Magikarp. In the dub, he says, "The king of all {{wp|carp}}! A Magikarp!"
* ''[[EP016|Pokémon Shipwreck]]''
:More fish can be seen swimming in the ocean near the sunken [[S.S. Anne|St. Anne]].

[[File:Dare da EP017.png|thumb|250px|A fish biting Slowpoke's tail]]
* ''[[EP017|Island of the Giant Pokémon]]''
:In the episode's [[Who's That Pokémon?|Dare da?]], a fish is biting {{p|Slowpoke}}'s tail.
* ''[[EP018|Beauty and the Beach]]''
:Brock attempts to attract customers to a restaurant by advertising unusual animal-themed dishes, including french-fried {{wp|flounder}}, seven-layered {{wp|crab cakes}}, {{wp|squid}} on a stick, and clam juice snowcones.
:Team Rocket sends a missile that is shaped like a {{wp|shark}}'s head to ruin the [[Beach Beauty and Pokémon Costume Contest]].

* ''[[EP019|Tentacool & Tentacruel]]
:Fish can be seen in the aquarium in [[Nastina]]'s vision of her completed luxury hotel.
:The {{p|Tentacool}} are referred to as {{wp|jellyfish}} in the episode.

[[File:Mongoose anime.png|thumb|250px|The mongoose in ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]'']]
* ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]''
:There is a drawing of an octopus on the front board of a {{wp|takoyaki}} stand (this drawing is airbrushed out in the dub).
:A {{p|Gastly}} created an illusion of a {{wp|mongoose}} in order to scare {{TP|Jessie|Jessie's Ekans|Arbok}}. It later defeated {{TP|James|James's Koffing|Weezing}} by stomping on it.
* ''[[EP023|The Tower of Terror]]''
:When {{AP|Charmander}} lights up the room, a mounted deer head can be seen on the wall.
:Some of the toys in the {{t|Ghost}} Pokémon's playroom appear to resemble {{wp|giraffe}}s and {{wp|duck}}s, and there is a merry-go-round with {{wp|horse}}s.
* ''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]''
:Two different species of real world fish are seen in Meowth's fantasy.
* ''[[EP028|Pokémon Fashion Flash]]''
:One of the signs on [[Scissor Street]] features a {{wp|crab}}.
* ''[[EP029|The Punchy Pokémon]]''
:Fish tails are seen in one plate when James and Meowth were dreaming about food. Meowth also mentions roast leg of {{wp|lamb}}.
* ''[[EP030|Sparks Fly for Magnemite]]''
:After witnessing a wild Magnemite "falling in love" with Pikachu, Brock comments that he can understand a romantic based relationship between animal-based Pokémon, but not an inorganic-based Pokémon like Magnemite.
* ''[[EP033|The Flame Pokémon-athon!]]
:Some real world animal plushes are seen on some of the shelves of the festival.
* ''[[EP036|The Bridge Bike Gang]]
:At the end of the episode, when Team Rocket comes out of the water, Jessie can be seen with a starfish, an {{wp|urchin}} and a seashell on her head.
* ''[[Holiday Hi-Jynx]]''
:[[Santa Claus]] tells Ash and {{ashfr}} that he has "no {{wp|reindeer}}" to pull his sleigh, and uses a {{p|Ponyta}} instead.
* ''[[EP040|The Battling Eevee Brothers]]''
:In one scene, James is seen holding a lobster.
:In the last scene, Team Rocket are eating canned squid, {{wp|salmon}} and brown fish.
* ''[[EP052|Princess vs. Princess]]''
:Lots of real world animal plushes are seen in the stores in the [[Princess Festival]].
* ''[[EP053|The Purr-fect Hero]]''
:There are banners depicting multiple random fish on some houses.
:Drawn {{wp|bunnies}} and {{wp|bear}}s appear on some of the walls of the school.
:{{wp|Rabbit}} ears are seen in the top hat drawn on Team Rocket's van.
* ''[[EP054|Case of the K-9 Capers]]''
:Meowth compares his voice to one of {{wp|Alvin and the Chipmunks|the chipmunks}} after inhaling gas coming from a tank with a {{p|Psyduck}} on it.
* ''[[EP058|Riddle Me This]]''
:While Ash and his friends are looking for a hotel to stay in, a picture of a {{wp|tiger}} can be seen in one of the hotels.
:During {{Gary}}'s banquet, some fish are seen sliced up.
:{{wp|Butterflies}} are seen on a painting when Ash and his friends are at [[Blaine]]'s hotel.
:A green mouse is seen on a cup in one of the many tourist stands of [[Cinnabar Island]].
* ''[[EP061|The Misty Mermaid]]''
:Real world fish are seen in an aquarium inside the Cerulean Gym.
:James and Meowth wear ''{{wp|Swan Lake}}''-inspired costumes.
:In addition, {{p|Seel}} and {{p|Dewgong}} are compared to {{wp|seal}}s.
:Various coral is visible underwater.
:A {{wp|starfish}} is seen underwater.
:Misty goes inside a giant clam underwater.
* ''[[EP062|Clefairy Tales]]''
:While Ash and his friends are falling down the sewer pipes, several skeletons of unidentified prehistoric animals are seen. Also, when a chef gets his kettle back, he talks about cooking chicken.
* ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''
:{{OBP|Miranda|M01}} talks to {{wp|seagulls}} to learn the conditions of the sea.
:When Meowth despises the idea of going into a sewer, in the dub, [[Jessie]] tells him, "Pretend you're a {{wp|catfish}}!" In the Japanese version, Meowth says, "I'm not a {{wp|brown rat}}!" (Japanese: '''ドブネズミじゃにゃ!''')
* ''[[EP067|The Pi-Kahuna]]''
:There is a {{wp|swordfish}} on {{OBP|Victor|EP067}}'s wall.
:Some kind of yellow shark/seal is seen in a picture frame when she talks.
* ''[[EP068|Make Room for Gloom]]''
:When [[Ash's Bulbasaur]] smells Poké-nip and becomes dazed, Misty reads a sign that says Poké-nip's scent affects Pokémon like {{wp|catnip}} affects cats.
* ''[[EP070|Go West, Young Meowth]]''
:While Meowth was looking for food, he came across some fish bones. Meowth is also seen eating fried chicken.
* ''[[EP071|To Master the Onix-expected]]''
:While {{Ash}} and his friends are resting, their elderly female host mentions the disappearance of her "{{wp|muskrat}} {{wp|meatballs}}." However, this was only in the English dub of the episode, and is actually an example of a dub edit very similar to Brock's "[[Rice ball|donuts]]" in [[EP025|another episode]]. The so-called meatballs are actually {{wp|dango}}, a sweet Japanese dumpling made from rice flour.
:The host also refers to Team Rocket as "polecats", another name for wild {{wp|ferret}}s.
* ''[[EP078|A Friend Indeed]]''
:One of the foods the characters eat is [[wp:Tempura|shrimp tempura]].
* ''[[Meowth's Song]]''
:In one scene, Meowth mentions {{wp|insects}}.
* ''[[EP087|The Crystal Onix]]''
:A starfish is seen on the sandbar.
* ''[[EP092|The Joy of Pokémon]]''
:Real fish can be seen in the moment before a young [[Nurse Joy]] falls into the water.
* ''[[EP096|Meowth Rules!]]''
:Meowth is seen holding and talking about eating clams.
* ''[[EP107|Pokémon Food Fight!]]''
:Misty mentions fish when describing her plan to use a lure to get {{AP|Snorlax}} over the mountain. Shortly after, it cuts to an image of a lure designed after a {{wp|brook trout}}.

===={{aniseries|GS}}====
[[File:Kabutops Fish Statue.png|thumb|250px|{{p|Kabutops}} and its prey]]
* ''[[EP133|Tanks a Lot!]]''
:When Meowth mentions his "top of the line" food, it cuts to an image of a can of cat-food with a real-world cat on the label.
* ''[[EP135|Grin to Win!]]''
:A fried chicken stand can be seen along with a chicken thigh in the [[Sunflora Festival]].
* ''[[EP137|Foul Weather Friends]]''
:Meowth mentions {{wp|chicken feed}}.
* ''[[PK07|Pikachu & Pichu]]''
:A horse statue can be seen in the background.
* ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]''
:At one point in development, this movie was going to feature a Tyrannosaurus Rex. This idea was scrapped as more [[Generation II]] Pokémon designs were revealed.
* ''[[EP161|The Bug Stops Here]]''
:Jessie is seen holding a {{wp|goldfish}}.
* ''[[EP163|Fossil Fools]]''
:A fish can be seen in statue form, being attacked by {{p|Kabutops}}.
* ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]''
:When one of Misty's catches escapes from her fishing line, Ash says that it was probably a catfish.
* ''[[EP182|From Ghost to Ghost]]''
:Meowth's food illusion created by the Gastly includes a fish.
* ''[[EP185|The Light Fantastic]]''
:After licking the icicle, Meowth comments that it is not fish-flavored.
* ''[[EP214|Mantine Overboard!]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]''====
* ''[[AG108|Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snorunt!]]''
:During the Team Rocket {{motto}}, James mentions he's wearing {{wp|mink}}.
* ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]''====
*''[[DP168|Keeping in Top Forme!]]''
:In the Norwegian dub, after Brock comments on the Team Rocket trio's endurance, James replies that they "are stubborn like {{wp|mountain goat}}s."

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]''====
*''[[BW087|Expedition to Onix Island!]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''====
*''[[XY022|Going for the Gold!]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.
*''[[XY040|Day Three Blockbusters!]]''
:In the video of Team Charmander on the {{p|Wailord}}, real mollusk shells are seen.
*''[[XY111|Unlocking Some Respect!]]''
:During the [[Poké TV]] segment, {{wp|barnacles}} can be seen on rocks above the sea.
*''[[XY124|A Gaggle of Gadget Greatness!]]''
:{{wp|Snail}}-like {{p|Sliggoo}} toys can be seen in the [[Gadget Festival]].

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]''====
[[File:SM038 Starfish and Shell.png|thumb|250px|A starfish and shell seen on a bucket]]
*Due to the tropical theming of the [[Alola]] region, a significant number of episodes contain depictions of various corals. This includes:
**''[[SM001|Alola to New Adventure!]]''
**''[[SM005|Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!]]''
**''[[SM012|The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!]]''
**''[[SM020|Partner Promises!]]''
**''[[SM022|A Shivering Shovel Search!]]''
**''[[SM031|The Island Whisperer!]]''
**''[[SM040|Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!]]''
**''[[SM056|Let Sleeping Pokémon Lie!]]''
**''[[SM071|Dewpider Ascending!]]''
*''[[SM038|Mimikyu Unmasked!]]''
:One of {{TP|Jessie|Mimikyu}}'s disguises shows a starfish and a shell that appear on a beach bucket.
*''[[SM040|Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!]]'' and ''[[SM106|Evolving Research!]]''
:The shape of [[Ida]]'s clasp is a real shell.

==In the manga==
Animals have also been seen in the {{pkmn|manga}}.

===Pokémon Adventures===

===={{MangaArc|Red, Green & Blue}}====
* ''[[PS022|A Hollow Victreebel]]''
** There are real-life mice, shrews, and birds as {{p|Bellsprout}}, {{p|Weepinbell}}, and {{p|Victreebel}}'s prey at the [[Kanto Safari Zone]].
* ''[[PS025|You Know...Articuno!]]''
** [[Gyara]] is seen smiling at a butterfly.

===={{MangaArc|Yellow}}====
* ''[[PS044|Do Wrong, Dewgong!]]''
** [[Pika]] is seen chasing a butterfly or a moth.

===={{MangaArc|Ruby & Sapphire}}====
* ''[[PS255|With a Spoink in Your Step I]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, [[Ruby (Adventures)|Ruby]] states that [[Fofo]] has the strength of a {{wp|lion}} and the heart of a {{wp|tiger}}.
* ''[[PS266|The Final Showdown VII]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, [[Archie]] or [[Maxie]] says that [[Winona]] has been "buzzing around [their] ears like an annoying {{wp|fly}}".
* ''[[PS267|The Final Showdown VIII]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, Archie and Maxie say "we can get rid of you flies anytime we want", referring to [[Ruby (Adventures)|Ruby]] and [[Sapphire (Adventures)|Sapphire]].

===={{MangaArc|Diamond & Pearl}}====
* ''[[PS350|Boogying with Buneary]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, [[Keira]] calls her Buneary a "snugglebunny".
* ''[[PS381|Vexing Vespiquen & Unmanageable Mothim I]]''
** A {{tc|Roughneck}}'s {{p|Vespiquen}} uses grubs for the moves {{m|Attack Order}}, {{m|Defend Order}}, and {{m|Heal Order}}.

===={{MangaArc|Black 2 & White 2}}====
*''[[PS532|Legendary Tornadus]]''
** On page 11, after Whitney wakes up screaming, her schoolmates ask if a spider was bothering her.

===How I Became a Pokémon Card===
In [[How I Became a Pokémon Card]], a cat appears in one chapter.

===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
In [[Pokémon Pocket Monsters]], regular animals appear alongside Pokémon.

===Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!===
In [[Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!]], a snail appears in [[GDZ04]]. In [[GDZ13]], [[Shu]] is shown capturing some {{wp|beetle}}s in the forest.

===The Electric Tale of Pikachu===
In [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], the Cerulean Gym Aquarium has real-life fish and whales.

===Magical Pokémon Journey===
In [[Magical Pokémon Journey]], real-life animals such as fish, butterflies, and horses have occasionally been seen.

===Pokémon Newspaper Strip===
* In {{strip|16}}, there is a short narration: "...not a creature was stirring... not even an electric mouse..." (a reference to the 1823 poem "{{wp|A Visit from St. Nicholas}}").
** Additionally, [[Santa Claus]] is heard saying "Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now—" This may indicate that he has {{wp|reindeer}}, but Santa Claus and the reindeer are not seen.
* In {{strip|22}}, {{an|Misty}} also called Pikachu an "electric mouse".
* In {{strip|23}}, {{Delia}} says that [[Ash's Snorlax]] ate a frozen {{wp|turkey (bird)|turkey}}.

==In the TCG==
Numerous early Pokémon cards featured animals.
* A {{wp|bird}} perched on {{TCG ID|Jungle|Weepinbell|48}}.
* A {{wp|bug}} near {{TCG ID|Base Set|Bulbasaur|44}}.
* A {{wp|frog}} next to {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Oddish|63}}.
* A {{wp|wasp}} flying near {{TCG ID|Jungle|Venonat|63}}.
* A {{wp|butterfly}} flying near {{TCG ID|Vending|Squirtle|S1}}, {{TCG ID|Jungle|Eevee|51}}, and [[Cubchoo (Furious Fists 21)|Cubchoo.]]
* A {{wp|worm}} for {{TCG ID|Base Set|Magikarp|35}}, {{TCG ID|Jungle|Spearow|62}}, and {{TCG ID|Neo Discovery|Wobbuffet|35}}.
* A {{wp|crab}} next to {{TCG ID|Jungle|Exeggutor|35}}.
* A {{wp|fish}} near {{TCG ID|Fossil|Psyduck|53}}.
* {{wp|Fish}}, or perhaps {{wp|porpoises}}, near {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Magikarp|47}}.
* Multiple {{wp|fish}} next to {{TCG ID|EX Crystal Guardians|Lotad|55}}.
* {{wp|Butterflies}} and {{wp|fish}} near {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Slowpoke|67}}.
* [[wp:Microorganism|Microorganisms]] near [[Omanyte (Vending S3)|Omanyte]].
* {{wp|Sea anemones}} near {{TCG ID|Neo Discovery|Wooper|71}}.
* {{wp|Coral}} near {{TCG ID|Aquapolis|Horsea|84}}, {{TCG ID|EX Team Rocket Returns|Quagsire|26}}, {{TCG ID|EX Emerald|Luvdisc|53}}, {{TCG ID|Jungle|Seaking|46}}, {{TCG ID|Neo Discovery|Corsola|37}}, {{TCG ID|Neo Destiny|Mantine|74}}, {{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Golduck|17}}, {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Gorebyss|18}}, and {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Chinchou|57}}.
* The udder of what appears to be a {{wp|cow}} is on the original {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Moo-Moo Milk|101}} card.
* The shadow of what appears to be a {{wp|shark}} is on the original {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Super Rod|103}} card.
* Shadows of what appear to be a school of fish next to {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Squirtle|68}}.

===Attacks===
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#{{tcg colorless color light}}; border:3px solid #{{tcg colorless color}}"
! Attack
! Card
|- style="background:#fff"
| Cat Fleas
| [[Giovanni's Meowth (Gym Challenge 74)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Cat Kick
| [[Meowth (EX FireRed & LeafGreen 69)]] [[Meowth (Next Destinies 80)]] [[Giovanni's Meowth (Gym Challenge 74)]] [[Glameow (Battle Styles 115)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Cat Punch
| [[Meowth (Wizards Promo 10)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Caturday
| [[Glameow (Unbroken Bonds 159)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Dogpile
| [[Chansey (Expedition 72)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| {{wp|Jellyfish}} Pod
| [[Misty's Tentacool (Gym Heroes 32)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Jellyfish Poison
| [[Misty's Tentacruel (Gym Heroes 10)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Jellyfish Sting
| [[Tentacruel (Fossil 44)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Tiger Swing
| [[Incineroar-GX (Sun & Moon 27)]]
|}

==In books==
Animals are occasionally referenced in [[Pokémon books]].

===''Let's Find Pokémon!''===
At least three animals can be spotted in the ''[[Let's Find Pokémon!]]'' series.
* In ''Let's Find Pokémon!'', a dragonfly can be seen near a pond, and a worm can be seen in the beak of a {{p|Pidgey}}.
* In ''Let's Find Pokémon! 3'', a {{p|Kangaskhan}} is eating a fish with rice.

===''Pokémon Tales''===
In ''[[Pokémon Tales]]'', there are several instances of animals in the Pokémon world.
* In ''[[PB03|Bulbasaur's Trouble]]'', a boy wanted to catch a frog in the forest. He believed that Bulbasaur was a frog and tried to feed it a fly, but Bulbasaur does not like flies. Bulbasaur eventually found a real frog for the boy. This is one of the only Pokémon stories where a real animal is directly relevant to the plot.
* In ''[[PB04|Pikachu's Day]]'', Pikachu takes a bath with a rubber duck.
* In [[PB05|''Yadon's Big Yawn'']], a group of small birds land on Slowpoke and an old man fishes in the pond Slowpoke is at.
* In ''[[PB06|Onix Underground]]'', a frog and a centipede can be seen while Onix is digging.
* In ''[[PB08|Transforming Metamon]]'', fish can be seen swimming in a river.
* In ''[[PB10|Let Me Borrow Your Leek, Kamonegi-kun]],'' Poliwhirl is seen fishing, and later on Meowth is shown wanting to catch a cicada.
* In ''[[PB13|Diglett's Birthday Party]]'', a brown dog buries a bone and later a white dog steals the buried bone.
* In ''[[PB17|Snorlax's Snack]]'', {{p|Snorlax}} eats a fish from the refrigerator. At some point, Snorlax also believes that {{p|Diglett}} is a sausage.
* In ''[[PB18|Seel to the Rescue]]'', penguins are seen on the island that Seel brings the sailor to.
* In ''[[PB25|First Prize for Starmie]]'', Santa's reindeer, as well as a donkey and a dog are seen while Starmie flies over a town.
* In ''[[PB28|Beroringa Licks Everything]]'', Pokémon are seen playing on an elephant-shaped slide.
===''[[Pokémon Chapter Books]]''===
*In ''[[I_Choose_You!_(book)|I Choose You!]]'', {{p|Bulbasaur}} is described as looking "like a dinosaur."<ref>West, Tracey (1999). ''I Choose You!'' Scholastic. p. 6. ISBN 9780439104647</ref>

==Trivia==
* [[Takeshi Shudō]]'s original idea for the [[M03|third Pokémon movie]] was about a real-world {{wp|Tyrannosaurus|Tyrannosaurus rex}} fossil being discovered. It would have come to life and gone on a rampage through the [[Kanto]] [[region]].<ref>http://dogasu.bulbagarden.net/movies/pm_lord_unknown_tower_entei/lord_unknown_tower_entei_mythical_third_movie.html</ref>
** Also according to Shudō, real animals went extinct in the Pokémon world years ago and no longer exist. He claimed that instances of real-world animals appearing in earlier episodes of ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'' were due to the animation staff not paying enough attention.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Related articles==
* [[Pokémon world in relation to the real world]]

{{Pokémon world}}

[[Category:Pokémon world]]
[[Category:Non-Pokémon creatures]]

[[it:Animali nel mondo dei Pokémon]]
[[zh:寶可夢世界裡的動物]]

Animals in the Pokémon world

2026-05-31T15:03:14Z

DatBoiWZ: /* In books */

[[File:Pokemon dog.jpg|thumb|240px|A real-world dog featured in a picture book]]
'''Real-world animals''' have been mentioned a number of times to exist in the [[Pokémon world|world of Pokémon]]. Most often, they are mentioned in relation to a [[Pokémon category]]. For example, {{p|Pikachu}} is known as the "Mouse Pokémon" and was directly referred to in ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'' as an "electric mouse", hinting that real-world mice exist in the [[Pokémon world]]. Other than this, all other mentions of animals are rare.

==Pokémon categories==
Some [[Pokémon category]] names are animals, such as the Poodle Pokémon ({{p|Furfrou}}'s category), which implies that there are not only dogs, but different breeds of dogs.
The [[Pokédex]] routinely mentions the category of each Pokémon in various media. For example, in the ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'' episode ''[[EP012|Here Comes the Squirtle Squad]]'', {{Ash}}'s [[Pokédex]] tells him the category of {{p|Squirtle}}, a Tiny {{wp|Turtle}} Pokémon, and in the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga round ''[[PS350|Boogying with Buneary]]'', {{adv|Diamond}}'s Pokédex displays the category of {{p|Buneary}}, a {{wp|Rabbit}} Pokémon. Additionally, Pokémon categories can be found on {{Trading Card Game}} cards.

==In the core series games==
[[File:RG Old Amber.png|thumb|150px|Old Amber artwork]]
* In the [[Generation I]] games, the {{tc|Bird Keeper}} class has a sprite that depicts them holding a generic bird on their arm.
* In Generation I artwork of [[Old Amber]], there is a mosquito or similar insect visible within the item.
* In the Generation I games and their [[remake]]s:
** A {{tc|Sailor}} mentions that {{wp|jellyfish}} sometimes drift aboard the [[S.S. Anne]].
** A chef aboard the [[S.S. Anne]] mentions several meat dishes: "''{{wp|Eel}}s au Barbecue''", "''{{wp|Salmon}} du Salad''", and "''Prime {{wp|cattle|Beefsteak}}''".
** A {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}} in the [[Team Rocket Hideout|Rocket Hideout]] insults the player by calling them a little rat.
** A {{tc|Tamer}} in the [[Fuchsia Gym]] mentions having joined the Gym due to "ninjas' long history with animals".
* In {{game|Yellow}}, the [[non-player character]] at the [[Pikachu's Beach|Summer Beach House]] mentions these meat products: ''"Dogs and burgers on special today!"''
** In the French, German, and Spanish version, he mentions hot dogs and burgers as well. However, in the Japanese version, this is yakisoba ramen (Japanese: ラーメンやきソバ) and in the Italian version, this is "panini caldi".
* In {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, {{tc|Bird Keeper}} Katherine on [[Sinnoh Route 211]] says "I go everywhere with my {{p|Noctowl|NOCTOWL}}. We’re gonna show you owl best! Ha!" This is a pun on "{{wp|owl}}" and "our".
* In Sinnoh-based games, there is a [[Trainer class]] named [[Cowgirl]], which references cows.
* In {{game|Black and White|s}}, a Trainer in the [[Battle Subway]] says he is so obsessed with Pokémon that his wife is as mad as a {{wp|hornet}}.
* In the [[Generation V]] games, [[Burgh]]'s {{badge|Insect}} is named Beetle Badge (ビートルバッジ) in Japanese.
* In {{g|X and Y}}:
** Fresh-caught {{wp|fish}} is served at the restaurants in [[Lumiose City]].
* In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}:
** The [[Insect Plate]] is described as being imbued with the essence of bugs.
** The English name of [[Horseshoe Plains]] implies the existence of horseshoes, and by extension, real horses. However, the Japanese name for Horseshoe Plains, {{tt|蹄鉄|ていてつ}}{{tt|ヶ|が}}{{tt|原|はら}} ''Horseshoe Meadow'', includes the Japanese word for horseshoe, 蹄鉄, which contains the Japanese words for ''hoof'' and ''iron'', not horse.
** The names of [[Deertrack Heights]] and [[Deertrack Path]] mention deer.
* In {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}:
** The restaurant food item, Paella de Paldea, has what appears to be {{wp|mussel}}s in the dish.
** [[Katy]], when defeated, exclaims that all of her Pokémon dropped like {{wp|fly|flies}}.
** [[Ortega]] refers to the current state of the [[Naranja Academy]]{{sup/9|S}}/[[Uva Academy]]{{sup/9|V}} as "all rainbows and butterflies".
** In Pokémon Scarlet, according to an article from a September issue of {{DL|Magazines in the Pokémon world|Occulture}} magazine, leading theories hold that {{p|Great Tusk}} is "a living relic of the dinosaur era".
** A coral reef can be seen growing inside the [[Terarium]]'s [[Coastal Biome]].

===Moves===
* The name and description of the [[move]] {{m|Raging Bull}} mention bulls.
* The name of the move {{m|Crabhammer}} mentions crabs.

===Items===
* The [[Shoal Shell]] resembles no known Pokémon, but does resemble the shells of {{wp|clams}}.

===Battle animations===
[[File:Attack Order VI 2.png|thumb|250px|Bees in the animation of {{m|Attack Order}} in [[Generation VI]]]]
Some in-battle animations depict real-world animals.
* In several games, yellow birds can be seen circling around a {{status|Confusion|confused}} Pokémon. Yellow birds also appear in {{m|Dizzy Punch}}'s battle animations.
* {{wp|Bee}}s appear in the battle animations for {{p|Vespiquen}}'s [[signature move]]s {{m|Attack Order}}, {{m|Defend Order}}, and {{m|Heal Order}}.
* Flies appear in {{m|Gunk Shot}}'s battle animation in [[Generation VI]].

===Pokédex entries===
Several [[Pokédex entry|Pokédex entries]] imply the existence of real-world animals.
* {{wp|Indian elephant}}s are mentioned in entries for {{p|Raichu}} and {{p|Gastly}}. However, in [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]], Raichu's entry instead mentions {{p|Copperajah}}.
* {{p|Bellsprout}} preys on {{wp|insects}}.
* {{p|Victreebel}} uses the sweet aroma of its honey to lure prey such as {{wp|bug}}s, as well as large animals.
* {{p|Horsea}} preys on {{wp|bug}}s. It also uses {{wp|coral}} as an anchor to avoid being washed away, as well as for shade to build its nest in.
* {{p|Lickitung}} can extend its tongue like a {{wp|chameleon}}.
* {{p|Aerodactyl}} lived in the "age of dinosaurs", also referred to as the "dinosaur era", and was resurrected from a dinosaur’s genes.
* Coral branches grow from {{p|Corsola}}'s head, and are a food source for {{p|Mareanie}}.
* {{p|Luvdisc}} congregate and make their homes in coral reefs.
* {{p|Shellos}} and {{p|Gastrodon}} eat microscopic {{wp|plankton}}.
* {{p|Flutter Mane}} has similar features to a ghostly {{wp|pterosaur}} that was covered in a paranormal magazine, but the two have little else in common.
* {{p|Brute Bonnet}} is said to be a cross between a dinosaur and a mushroom.

==In the side series games==
* In {{g|Colosseum}}, when [[Nascour]] asks [[Venus]] about the progress of her takeover of [[The Under]], she comments that "a couple {{wp|mouse|mice}} appear to be running loose".

==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Snap===
In {{g|Snap}}, {{wp|coral}} reefs can be seen.

===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series===
In {{g|Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness}}, Weezing and Zubat call the player's [[Partner Pokémon (Mystery Dungeon)|partner]] a chicken.

===Pokémon Ranger series===
In {{vg|Pokémon Ranger}}, one of the foes says that goat milk cheese is his favorite.

In {{g|Ranger: Guardian Signs}}, {{wp|barnacle}}s can be seen in underwater areas.

===Detective Pikachu===
In {{OBP|Detective Pikachu|video game}}, a boat is described as having 400 {{wp|horsepower}}.

===Pokémon Masters EX===
In [[Pokémon Masters EX]], during a morning log-in conversation, [[Adaman]] says that "[...] the early bird catches the worm!"

===Hey You, Pikachu===
In the game manual of [[Hey You, Pikachu]], [[Professor Oak]] mentions animals when explaining the PokéHelper device: ''"Like all Pokémon and most animals, Pikachu is easily confused by long sentences, so say words one at a time."''

===e-Reader games===
In the [[e-Reader]] game [[Machop at Work]], birds appears circling the [[fainting|fainted]] {{p|Machop}} if it loses the game from being hit by a falling rock.

==In animation==
[[File:Concept art cat.png|thumb|250px|A real-world cat in concept art]]
===''Pokémon the Series''===
Real-life animals have been seen and mentioned in {{aniseries|PTS}}. They were more common in {{aniseries|OS}}, as there weren't as many [[Pokémon (species)|species of Pokémon]] introduced at the time. A picture book based on the series once featured a {{wp|dog}} walking past {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}}, and a piece of concept art of the residents of [[Pallet Town]] featured a {{wp|cat}}. Birds can also occasionally be heard in the background. Foods that contain meat products, such as {{wp|hamburgers}} and {{wp|chicken}}, are often seen.<ref>https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-01-9784091145772 - Shogakukan's TV Picture Book "Pocket Monsters (7) Ghost Pokémon and the Summer Festival"</ref> In addition, the guidebook ''[[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]]'' confirmed that there were indeed animals in the {{pkmn|world}}, and also revealed that {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} weren't related to animals at all.

Despite Pokémon themselves being unrelated to animals, it appears that behavioral and predator-prey dynamics still apply to Pokémon based on the animals they resemble. {{MTR}} still considers himself a cat and displays cat-like behaviour frequently while in the episode ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]'', {{TP|Jessie|Jessie's Ekans|Arbok}} was afraid of a real-life mongoose, a predator of snakes and cobras. Pokémon occasionally display traits of other animals, Ash's {{AP|Charizard}} being seen scratching its neck with its leg like a dog would.

In [[S02|Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands]], the four [[Gym]] [[Badge]]s are made up of {{wp|seashell}}s with a gem on the center of the shell. This implies that {{wp|mollusc}}s exist within the Pokémon world.
[[File:Cissy Badge.png|thumb|250px|Ash holds up the {{Badge|Coral-Eye}}, which appears to be made of one half of a {{wp|clam}} shell.]]

However, animal appearances in the series become less frequent as more Pokémon have been added to take their places.

===={{aniseries|OS}}====
[[File:EP001 worm.png|thumb|250px|A wild Pidgey eating a regular worm in {{rt|1|Kanto}}]]
* ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
:When Ash overslept and didn't get a Pokémon, {{an|Professor Oak}} says in the English dub, "The early bird catches a worm, or... in this case... A Pokémon...".
:A wild {{p|Pidgey}} can be seen eating a {{wp|worm}} right before {{Ash}} tries to catch it.
* ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]''
:Various animals were mentioned by {{TRT}}. Mostly, they referred to {{MTR}} as a cat, and {{AP|Pikachu}} as a mouse.
:Professor Oak leaves a call with Ash to accept a delivery of an anchovies, spinach, and pineapple pizza.
* ''[[EP003|Ash Catches a Pokémon]]''
:{{an|Misty}} is scared when she sees a {{AP|Caterpie}}, and Ash tries to calm her down by reminding her that it's a {{type|Bug}} ''Pokémon'' rather than a "real" {{wp|bug}}.
:{{AP|Pidgeotto}} is seen eating a regular worm before being captured by Ash.

[[File:Ash cow suit.png|thumb|250px|Ash in a cow costume]]
* ''[[EP004|Challenge of the Samurai]]''
:As a pun on {{tt|'''虫'''|むし}} (''mushi'', "insect") and {{tt|'''牛'''|うし}} (''ushi'', "cow"), Ash is seen in a {{wp|cow}} costume because Misty is scared of bugs. In the [[dub]], he makes a pun saying, "{{p|Caterpie|Cowterpie}}".
* ''[[EP007|The Water Flowers of Cerulean City]]''
:{{wp|Fish}} can be seen in the fish tanks inside the [[Cerulean Gym|Gym]]. They have made later appearances featuring the Cerulean Gym.
* ''[[EP008|Path to the Pokémon League]]''
:Misty mentions that [[A.J.]]'s ability to control Pokémon with a whip is similar to a {{wp|lion}} {{wp|lion tamer|tamer}}.
* ''[[EP012|Here Comes the Squirtle Squad]]''
:After Ash, Misty, and {{an|Brock}} fall into the [[Squirtle Squad]]'s pitfall trap, a {{wp|dinosaur fossil}} can be seen.
* ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]''
:A cooked {{wp|lobster}} can be seen as food served on the ship.
:A fish is seen on the counter while James is running after his {{i|Poké Ball}} in the sinking ship.
:In the Japanese version, the [[Magikarp salesman]] tells [[James]] that {{p|Magikarp}} is the king of {{wp|koi}}. This is a reference to "Koiking", the Japanese name of Magikarp. In the dub, he says, "The king of all {{wp|carp}}! A Magikarp!"
* ''[[EP016|Pokémon Shipwreck]]''
:More fish can be seen swimming in the ocean near the sunken [[S.S. Anne|St. Anne]].

[[File:Dare da EP017.png|thumb|250px|A fish biting Slowpoke's tail]]
* ''[[EP017|Island of the Giant Pokémon]]''
:In the episode's [[Who's That Pokémon?|Dare da?]], a fish is biting {{p|Slowpoke}}'s tail.
* ''[[EP018|Beauty and the Beach]]''
:Brock attempts to attract customers to a restaurant by advertising unusual animal-themed dishes, including french-fried {{wp|flounder}}, seven-layered {{wp|crab cakes}}, {{wp|squid}} on a stick, and clam juice snowcones.
:Team Rocket sends a missile that is shaped like a {{wp|shark}}'s head to ruin the [[Beach Beauty and Pokémon Costume Contest]].

* ''[[EP019|Tentacool & Tentacruel]]
:Fish can be seen in the aquarium in [[Nastina]]'s vision of her completed luxury hotel.
:The {{p|Tentacool}} are referred to as {{wp|jellyfish}} in the episode.

[[File:Mongoose anime.png|thumb|250px|The mongoose in ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]'']]
* ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]''
:There is a drawing of an octopus on the front board of a {{wp|takoyaki}} stand (this drawing is airbrushed out in the dub).
:A {{p|Gastly}} created an illusion of a {{wp|mongoose}} in order to scare {{TP|Jessie|Jessie's Ekans|Arbok}}. It later defeated {{TP|James|James's Koffing|Weezing}} by stomping on it.
* ''[[EP023|The Tower of Terror]]''
:When {{AP|Charmander}} lights up the room, a mounted deer head can be seen on the wall.
:Some of the toys in the {{t|Ghost}} Pokémon's playroom appear to resemble {{wp|giraffe}}s and {{wp|duck}}s, and there is a merry-go-round with {{wp|horse}}s.
* ''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]''
:Two different species of real world fish are seen in Meowth's fantasy.
* ''[[EP028|Pokémon Fashion Flash]]''
:One of the signs on [[Scissor Street]] features a {{wp|crab}}.
* ''[[EP029|The Punchy Pokémon]]''
:Fish tails are seen in one plate when James and Meowth were dreaming about food. Meowth also mentions roast leg of {{wp|lamb}}.
* ''[[EP030|Sparks Fly for Magnemite]]''
:After witnessing a wild Magnemite "falling in love" with Pikachu, Brock comments that he can understand a romantic based relationship between animal-based Pokémon, but not an inorganic-based Pokémon like Magnemite.
* ''[[EP033|The Flame Pokémon-athon!]]
:Some real world animal plushes are seen on some of the shelves of the festival.
* ''[[EP036|The Bridge Bike Gang]]
:At the end of the episode, when Team Rocket comes out of the water, Jessie can be seen with a starfish, an {{wp|urchin}} and a seashell on her head.
* ''[[Holiday Hi-Jynx]]''
:[[Santa Claus]] tells Ash and {{ashfr}} that he has "no {{wp|reindeer}}" to pull his sleigh, and uses a {{p|Ponyta}} instead.
* ''[[EP040|The Battling Eevee Brothers]]''
:In one scene, James is seen holding a lobster.
:In the last scene, Team Rocket are eating canned squid, {{wp|salmon}} and brown fish.
* ''[[EP052|Princess vs. Princess]]''
:Lots of real world animal plushes are seen in the stores in the [[Princess Festival]].
* ''[[EP053|The Purr-fect Hero]]''
:There are banners depicting multiple random fish on some houses.
:Drawn {{wp|bunnies}} and {{wp|bear}}s appear on some of the walls of the school.
:{{wp|Rabbit}} ears are seen in the top hat drawn on Team Rocket's van.
* ''[[EP054|Case of the K-9 Capers]]''
:Meowth compares his voice to one of {{wp|Alvin and the Chipmunks|the chipmunks}} after inhaling gas coming from a tank with a {{p|Psyduck}} on it.
* ''[[EP058|Riddle Me This]]''
:While Ash and his friends are looking for a hotel to stay in, a picture of a {{wp|tiger}} can be seen in one of the hotels.
:During {{Gary}}'s banquet, some fish are seen sliced up.
:{{wp|Butterflies}} are seen on a painting when Ash and his friends are at [[Blaine]]'s hotel.
:A green mouse is seen on a cup in one of the many tourist stands of [[Cinnabar Island]].
* ''[[EP061|The Misty Mermaid]]''
:Real world fish are seen in an aquarium inside the Cerulean Gym.
:James and Meowth wear ''{{wp|Swan Lake}}''-inspired costumes.
:In addition, {{p|Seel}} and {{p|Dewgong}} are compared to {{wp|seal}}s.
:Various coral is visible underwater.
:A {{wp|starfish}} is seen underwater.
:Misty goes inside a giant clam underwater.
* ''[[EP062|Clefairy Tales]]''
:While Ash and his friends are falling down the sewer pipes, several skeletons of unidentified prehistoric animals are seen. Also, when a chef gets his kettle back, he talks about cooking chicken.
* ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''
:{{OBP|Miranda|M01}} talks to {{wp|seagulls}} to learn the conditions of the sea.
:When Meowth despises the idea of going into a sewer, in the dub, [[Jessie]] tells him, "Pretend you're a {{wp|catfish}}!" In the Japanese version, Meowth says, "I'm not a {{wp|brown rat}}!" (Japanese: '''ドブネズミじゃにゃ!''')
* ''[[EP067|The Pi-Kahuna]]''
:There is a {{wp|swordfish}} on {{OBP|Victor|EP067}}'s wall.
:Some kind of yellow shark/seal is seen in a picture frame when she talks.
* ''[[EP068|Make Room for Gloom]]''
:When [[Ash's Bulbasaur]] smells Poké-nip and becomes dazed, Misty reads a sign that says Poké-nip's scent affects Pokémon like {{wp|catnip}} affects cats.
* ''[[EP070|Go West, Young Meowth]]''
:While Meowth was looking for food, he came across some fish bones. Meowth is also seen eating fried chicken.
* ''[[EP071|To Master the Onix-expected]]''
:While {{Ash}} and his friends are resting, their elderly female host mentions the disappearance of her "{{wp|muskrat}} {{wp|meatballs}}." However, this was only in the English dub of the episode, and is actually an example of a dub edit very similar to Brock's "[[Rice ball|donuts]]" in [[EP025|another episode]]. The so-called meatballs are actually {{wp|dango}}, a sweet Japanese dumpling made from rice flour.
:The host also refers to Team Rocket as "polecats", another name for wild {{wp|ferret}}s.
* ''[[EP078|A Friend Indeed]]''
:One of the foods the characters eat is [[wp:Tempura|shrimp tempura]].
* ''[[Meowth's Song]]''
:In one scene, Meowth mentions {{wp|insects}}.
* ''[[EP087|The Crystal Onix]]''
:A starfish is seen on the sandbar.
* ''[[EP092|The Joy of Pokémon]]''
:Real fish can be seen in the moment before a young [[Nurse Joy]] falls into the water.
* ''[[EP096|Meowth Rules!]]''
:Meowth is seen holding and talking about eating clams.
* ''[[EP107|Pokémon Food Fight!]]''
:Misty mentions fish when describing her plan to use a lure to get {{AP|Snorlax}} over the mountain. Shortly after, it cuts to an image of a lure designed after a {{wp|brook trout}}.

===={{aniseries|GS}}====
[[File:Kabutops Fish Statue.png|thumb|250px|{{p|Kabutops}} and its prey]]
* ''[[EP133|Tanks a Lot!]]''
:When Meowth mentions his "top of the line" food, it cuts to an image of a can of cat-food with a real-world cat on the label.
* ''[[EP135|Grin to Win!]]''
:A fried chicken stand can be seen along with a chicken thigh in the [[Sunflora Festival]].
* ''[[EP137|Foul Weather Friends]]''
:Meowth mentions {{wp|chicken feed}}.
* ''[[PK07|Pikachu & Pichu]]''
:A horse statue can be seen in the background.
* ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]''
:At one point in development, this movie was going to feature a Tyrannosaurus Rex. This idea was scrapped as more [[Generation II]] Pokémon designs were revealed.
* ''[[EP161|The Bug Stops Here]]''
:Jessie is seen holding a {{wp|goldfish}}.
* ''[[EP163|Fossil Fools]]''
:A fish can be seen in statue form, being attacked by {{p|Kabutops}}.
* ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]''
:When one of Misty's catches escapes from her fishing line, Ash says that it was probably a catfish.
* ''[[EP182|From Ghost to Ghost]]''
:Meowth's food illusion created by the Gastly includes a fish.
* ''[[EP185|The Light Fantastic]]''
:After licking the icicle, Meowth comments that it is not fish-flavored.
* ''[[EP214|Mantine Overboard!]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]''====
* ''[[AG108|Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snorunt!]]''
:During the Team Rocket {{motto}}, James mentions he's wearing {{wp|mink}}.
* ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]''====
*''[[DP168|Keeping in Top Forme!]]''
:In the Norwegian dub, after Brock comments on the Team Rocket trio's endurance, James replies that they "are stubborn like {{wp|mountain goat}}s."

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]''====
*''[[BW087|Expedition to Onix Island!]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''====
*''[[XY022|Going for the Gold!]]''
:Various corals are visible underwater.
*''[[XY040|Day Three Blockbusters!]]''
:In the video of Team Charmander on the {{p|Wailord}}, real mollusk shells are seen.
*''[[XY111|Unlocking Some Respect!]]''
:During the [[Poké TV]] segment, {{wp|barnacles}} can be seen on rocks above the sea.
*''[[XY124|A Gaggle of Gadget Greatness!]]''
:{{wp|Snail}}-like {{p|Sliggoo}} toys can be seen in the [[Gadget Festival]].

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]''====
[[File:SM038 Starfish and Shell.png|thumb|250px|A starfish and shell seen on a bucket]]
*Due to the tropical theming of the [[Alola]] region, a significant number of episodes contain depictions of various corals. This includes:
**''[[SM001|Alola to New Adventure!]]''
**''[[SM005|Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!]]''
**''[[SM012|The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!]]''
**''[[SM020|Partner Promises!]]''
**''[[SM022|A Shivering Shovel Search!]]''
**''[[SM031|The Island Whisperer!]]''
**''[[SM040|Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!]]''
**''[[SM056|Let Sleeping Pokémon Lie!]]''
**''[[SM071|Dewpider Ascending!]]''
*''[[SM038|Mimikyu Unmasked!]]''
:One of {{TP|Jessie|Mimikyu}}'s disguises shows a starfish and a shell that appear on a beach bucket.
*''[[SM040|Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!]]'' and ''[[SM106|Evolving Research!]]''
:The shape of [[Ida]]'s clasp is a real shell.

==In the manga==
Animals have also been seen in the {{pkmn|manga}}.

===Pokémon Adventures===

===={{MangaArc|Red, Green & Blue}}====
* ''[[PS022|A Hollow Victreebel]]''
** There are real-life mice, shrews, and birds as {{p|Bellsprout}}, {{p|Weepinbell}}, and {{p|Victreebel}}'s prey at the [[Kanto Safari Zone]].
* ''[[PS025|You Know...Articuno!]]''
** [[Gyara]] is seen smiling at a butterfly.

===={{MangaArc|Yellow}}====
* ''[[PS044|Do Wrong, Dewgong!]]''
** [[Pika]] is seen chasing a butterfly or a moth.

===={{MangaArc|Ruby & Sapphire}}====
* ''[[PS255|With a Spoink in Your Step I]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, [[Ruby (Adventures)|Ruby]] states that [[Fofo]] has the strength of a {{wp|lion}} and the heart of a {{wp|tiger}}.
* ''[[PS266|The Final Showdown VII]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, [[Archie]] or [[Maxie]] says that [[Winona]] has been "buzzing around [their] ears like an annoying {{wp|fly}}".
* ''[[PS267|The Final Showdown VIII]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, Archie and Maxie say "we can get rid of you flies anytime we want", referring to [[Ruby (Adventures)|Ruby]] and [[Sapphire (Adventures)|Sapphire]].

===={{MangaArc|Diamond & Pearl}}====
* ''[[PS350|Boogying with Buneary]]''
** In the Chuang Yi version, [[Keira]] calls her Buneary a "snugglebunny".
* ''[[PS381|Vexing Vespiquen & Unmanageable Mothim I]]''
** A {{tc|Roughneck}}'s {{p|Vespiquen}} uses grubs for the moves {{m|Attack Order}}, {{m|Defend Order}}, and {{m|Heal Order}}.

===={{MangaArc|Black 2 & White 2}}====
*''[[PS532|Legendary Tornadus]]''
** On page 11, after Whitney wakes up screaming, her schoolmates ask if a spider was bothering her.

===How I Became a Pokémon Card===
In [[How I Became a Pokémon Card]], a cat appears in one chapter.

===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
In [[Pokémon Pocket Monsters]], regular animals appear alongside Pokémon.

===Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!===
In [[Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!]], a snail appears in [[GDZ04]]. In [[GDZ13]], [[Shu]] is shown capturing some {{wp|beetle}}s in the forest.

===The Electric Tale of Pikachu===
In [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], the Cerulean Gym Aquarium has real-life fish and whales.

===Magical Pokémon Journey===
In [[Magical Pokémon Journey]], real-life animals such as fish, butterflies, and horses have occasionally been seen.

===Pokémon Newspaper Strip===
* In {{strip|16}}, there is a short narration: "...not a creature was stirring... not even an electric mouse..." (a reference to the 1823 poem "{{wp|A Visit from St. Nicholas}}").
** Additionally, [[Santa Claus]] is heard saying "Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now—" This may indicate that he has {{wp|reindeer}}, but Santa Claus and the reindeer are not seen.
* In {{strip|22}}, {{an|Misty}} also called Pikachu an "electric mouse".
* In {{strip|23}}, {{Delia}} says that [[Ash's Snorlax]] ate a frozen {{wp|turkey (bird)|turkey}}.

==In the TCG==
Numerous early Pokémon cards featured animals.
* A {{wp|bird}} perched on {{TCG ID|Jungle|Weepinbell|48}}.
* A {{wp|bug}} near {{TCG ID|Base Set|Bulbasaur|44}}.
* A {{wp|frog}} next to {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Oddish|63}}.
* A {{wp|wasp}} flying near {{TCG ID|Jungle|Venonat|63}}.
* A {{wp|butterfly}} flying near {{TCG ID|Vending|Squirtle|S1}}, {{TCG ID|Jungle|Eevee|51}}, and [[Cubchoo (Furious Fists 21)|Cubchoo.]]
* A {{wp|worm}} for {{TCG ID|Base Set|Magikarp|35}}, {{TCG ID|Jungle|Spearow|62}}, and {{TCG ID|Neo Discovery|Wobbuffet|35}}.
* A {{wp|crab}} next to {{TCG ID|Jungle|Exeggutor|35}}.
* A {{wp|fish}} near {{TCG ID|Fossil|Psyduck|53}}.
* {{wp|Fish}}, or perhaps {{wp|porpoises}}, near {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Magikarp|47}}.
* Multiple {{wp|fish}} next to {{TCG ID|EX Crystal Guardians|Lotad|55}}.
* {{wp|Butterflies}} and {{wp|fish}} near {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Slowpoke|67}}.
* [[wp:Microorganism|Microorganisms]] near [[Omanyte (Vending S3)|Omanyte]].
* {{wp|Sea anemones}} near {{TCG ID|Neo Discovery|Wooper|71}}.
* {{wp|Coral}} near {{TCG ID|Aquapolis|Horsea|84}}, {{TCG ID|EX Team Rocket Returns|Quagsire|26}}, {{TCG ID|EX Emerald|Luvdisc|53}}, {{TCG ID|Jungle|Seaking|46}}, {{TCG ID|Neo Discovery|Corsola|37}}, {{TCG ID|Neo Destiny|Mantine|74}}, {{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Golduck|17}}, {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Gorebyss|18}}, and {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Chinchou|57}}.
* The udder of what appears to be a {{wp|cow}} is on the original {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Moo-Moo Milk|101}} card.
* The shadow of what appears to be a {{wp|shark}} is on the original {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Super Rod|103}} card.
* Shadows of what appear to be a school of fish next to {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Squirtle|68}}.

===Attacks===
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#{{tcg colorless color light}}; border:3px solid #{{tcg colorless color}}"
! Attack
! Card
|- style="background:#fff"
| Cat Fleas
| [[Giovanni's Meowth (Gym Challenge 74)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Cat Kick
| [[Meowth (EX FireRed & LeafGreen 69)]] [[Meowth (Next Destinies 80)]] [[Giovanni's Meowth (Gym Challenge 74)]] [[Glameow (Battle Styles 115)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Cat Punch
| [[Meowth (Wizards Promo 10)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Caturday
| [[Glameow (Unbroken Bonds 159)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Dogpile
| [[Chansey (Expedition 72)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| {{wp|Jellyfish}} Pod
| [[Misty's Tentacool (Gym Heroes 32)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Jellyfish Poison
| [[Misty's Tentacruel (Gym Heroes 10)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Jellyfish Sting
| [[Tentacruel (Fossil 44)]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| Tiger Swing
| [[Incineroar-GX (Sun & Moon 27)]]
|}

==In books==
Animals are occasionally referenced in [[Pokémon books]].

===''Let's Find Pokémon!''===
At least three animals can be spotted in the ''[[Let's Find Pokémon!]]'' series.
* In ''Let's Find Pokémon!'', a dragonfly can be seen near a pond, and a worm can be seen in the beak of a {{p|Pidgey}}.
* In ''Let's Find Pokémon! 3'', a {{p|Kangaskhan}} is eating a fish with rice.

===''Pokémon Tales''===
In ''[[Pokémon Tales]]'', there are several instances of animals in the Pokémon world.
* In ''[[PB03|Bulbasaur's Trouble]]'', a boy wanted to catch a frog in the forest. He believed that Bulbasaur was a frog and tried to feed it a fly, but Bulbasaur does not like flies. Bulbasaur eventually found a real frog for the boy. This is one of the only Pokémon stories where a real animal is directly relevant to the plot.
* In ''[[PB04|Pikachu's Day]]'', Pikachu takes a bath with a rubber duck.
* In [[PB05|''Yadon's Big Yawn'']], a group of small birds land on Slowpoke and an old man fishes in the pond Slowpoke is at.
* In ''[[PB06|Onix Underground]]'', a frog and a centipede can be seen while Onix is digging.
* In ''[[PB08|Transforming Metamon]]'', fish can be seen swimming in a river.
* In ''[[PB10|Let Me Borrow Your Leek, Kamonegi-kun]],'' Poliwhirl is seen fishing, and later on Meowth is shown wanting to catch a cicada.
* In ''[[PB13|Diglett's Birthday Party]]'', a brown dog buries a bone and later a white dog steals the buried bone.
* In ''[[PB17|Snorlax's Snack]]'', {{p|Snorlax}} eats a fish from the refrigerator. At some point, Snorlax also believes that {{p|Diglett}} is a sausage.
* In ''[[PB18|Seel to the Rescue]]'', penguins are seen on the island that Seel brings the sailor to.
* In ''[[PB25|First Prize for Starmie]]'', Santa's reindeer, as well as a donkey and a dog are seen while Starmie flies over a town.
* In ''[[PB28|Beroringa Licks Everything]]'', Pokémon are seen playing on an elephant-shaped slide.
===''[[Pokémon Chapter Books]]''===
*In ''[[I_Choose_You!_(book)|I Choose You!]]'', {{p|Bulbasaur}} is described as looking "Like a dinosaur."<ref>West, Tracey (1999). ''I Choose You!'' Scholastic. p. 6. ISBN 9780439104647</ref>

==Trivia==
* [[Takeshi Shudō]]'s original idea for the [[M03|third Pokémon movie]] was about a real-world {{wp|Tyrannosaurus|Tyrannosaurus rex}} fossil being discovered. It would have come to life and gone on a rampage through the [[Kanto]] [[region]].<ref>http://dogasu.bulbagarden.net/movies/pm_lord_unknown_tower_entei/lord_unknown_tower_entei_mythical_third_movie.html</ref>
** Also according to Shudō, real animals went extinct in the Pokémon world years ago and no longer exist. He claimed that instances of real-world animals appearing in earlier episodes of ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'' were due to the animation staff not paying enough attention.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Related articles==
* [[Pokémon world in relation to the real world]]

{{Pokémon world}}

[[Category:Pokémon world]]
[[Category:Non-Pokémon creatures]]

[[it:Animali nel mondo dei Pokémon]]
[[zh:寶可夢世界裡的動物]]