Animals in the Pokémon world

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A real-world dog featured in a magazine scan

Real-world animals have been mentioned more than once to exist in the world of Pokémon. Most often, they are mentioned in relation to a Pokémon species. For example, Pikachu is known as the "Mouse Pokémon" and was directly referred to in the anime as an "electric mouse", hinting that real-world mice exist in the Pokémon world. Same goes for Growlithe which are known as "Puppy Pokémon". Moreover, Weepinbell and Victreebel are known as "Flycatcher Pokémon", indicating flies may also exist in the Pokémon world. Other than this, all other mentions of animals are rare.

In the games

A few Pokédex entries have mentioned the existence of real-world animals.

• In Raichu's FireRed Pokédex entry, Indian Elephants are mentioned.
• In Golbat's Emerald Pokédex entry, it says "Its fangs easily puncture even thick animal hide."
• In Drowzee's FireRed Pokédex entry, it says it is a "descendant of the legendary animal baku."
• In Red, Blue, and Yellow Versions, the player makes a comment about crabs while aboard the S.S. Anne.
• In Red, Blue, and Yellow Versions, a chef aboard the S.S. Anne says "Er-hem! Indeed I am le CHEF! Le main course is Eels au Barbecue!" He also speaks of a "Salad le salmon".

In the anime

Animals have been seen in the anime. They were more common in the original series as there weren't as many Pokémon species back then. A promotional ad for the Pokémon anime once featured a dog walking past Ash and his friends. Also, at some points during the course of some episodes, viewers can hear the sounds of birds.

Animal appearances have become less frequent as more and more Pokémon were added to take their places.

• Ash Catches a Pokémon

Pidgeotto is seen eating a regular worm before being captured by Ash.

File:EP004 001.jpg

Ash in a cow costume

• Challenge of the Samurai

As a pun on Caterpie, Ash is seen in a cow costume.

• The Water Flowers of Cerulean City

Fish can be seen in the fish tanks inside the gym. They have made later appearances featuring the Cerulean Gym.

• Path to the Pokémon League

Misty mentions that A.J.'s ability to control Pokémon with a whip was similar to a lion tamer.

• Pokémon Shipwreck

More fish can be seen swimming in the ocean near the sunken St. Anne.

• Tentacool & Tentacruel

Fish can be seen in the aquarium in Nastina's vision of her completed luxury hotel.

The mongoose in The Ghost of Maiden's Peak

• The Ghost of Maiden's Peak

A Gastly created an illusion of a mongoose in order to scare Jessie's Ekans.

• The Battling Eevee Brothers

In one scene, James is holding a lobster.

• Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon

In the Japanese version, Gary finds an ammonite Fossil. (but this may have been an Omanyte fossil)

• Riddle Me This

While Ash and his friends are looking for a hotel to stay in, a picture of a tiger can be seen in one of the hotels.

• To Master the Onix-expected

While Ash and his friends are resting, their elderly female host mentions the disappearance of her "muskrat meatballs. Soon after, she sees that it was Ash & Co. who took the food and Brock says, "Just the right amount of muskrat."

Meowth finds fish bones

• Go West, Young Meowth

While Meowth was looking for food, he came across some fish bones.

• Hook, Line, and Stinker

When one of Misty's catches escapes from her fishing line, Ash says that it was probably a catfish. Though, it was actually Meowth.

• Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea

Coral was seen a few times.

In the manga

Animals have also been seen in the manga.

• In the manga How I Became a Pokémon Card, the manga shows a cat in one chapter.
• In the manga Pokémon Pocket Monsters, the manga shows regular animals appear alongside with Pokémon.
• In the manga Pokémon Get da ze!, the manga shows a snail in one chapter.

Related articles

• Pokémon world in relation to the real world