Wild Nidoran♂ were seen several times before it appeared as a trainer Pokémon belonging to [[Wilton]]. {{adv|Green}} attempted to trick the man into trading his {{p|Butterfree}} for her weak {{p|Weedle}} because his Pokémon was infatuated with her [[Green (Adventures)#Nidory|female Nidoran]]. {{adv|Red}} was able to stop her from carrying out this plan, however.
===In the Pokémon Adventures manga===
In the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, wild Nidoran♂ were seen several times before it appeared as a Trainer Pokémon belonging to [[Wilton]]. {{adv|Green}} attempted to trick the man into trading his {{p|Butterfree}} for her weak {{p|Weedle}} because his Pokémon was infatuated with her [[Green (Adventures)#Nidory|female Nidoran]]. {{adv|Red}} was able to stop her from carrying out this plan, however.
Nidoran♂ is a small, rabbit-based Pokémon with large ears, front teeth and red eyes. They are covered with spines primarily on their back which can release potent poisons if Nidoran♂ is threatened. Nidoran♂ have a larger forehead horn than their female counterparts, Nidoran♀.
Gender differences
Nidoran♂ is the male of the species, and is noted to be one of the first Pokémon to denote gender differences. In the later generations, however, Pokémon with genders are marked with a ♀ or ♂ symbol, rather than being actual different Pokémon.
Compare with Nidoran♀. Note how the female Nidoran has a smaller horn and fewer spines, as well as a different color.
Special abilities
Nidoran♂'s large horns can secrete a powerful venom; unlike his female counterpart, the size of the horns is indicative of the strength of the venom. He also has unique muscles around his ears, which permit them to be moved in any direction.
Behavior
Nidoran♂ are fairly docile Pokémon, although they tend to be more alert and nervous than their female counterparts, constantly listening for the sounds of approaching enemies with their large ears. Their potent venom is used primarily as a defense, and most likely evolved to counteract their small body size.
Nidoran♂ live in expansive hot savannas and plains. They share their native range with Nidoran♀ and both species are commonly found in Kanto, Johto and rarely in Sinnoh.
Nidoran♂. Its horn is larger than the female's and its Horn Attack is quite powerful.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, wild Nidoran♂ were seen several times before it appeared as a Trainer Pokémon belonging to Wilton. Green attempted to trick the man into trading his Butterfree for her weak Weedle because his Pokémon was infatuated with her female Nidoran. Red was able to stop her from carrying out this plan, however.
The male Nidoran has developed muscles for moving its ears. Thanks to them, the ears can be freely moved in any direction. Even the slightest sound does not escape this Pokémon's notice.
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Nidoran was the first Pokémon to feature gender, and even gender differences; however, their difference is much greater than later Pokémon.
Despite the addition of genders in all Pokémon starting in Generation II, the two variations of Nidoran remained separate species, rather than a singular species that splits down different evolution paths based on gender.
A Nidoran♀ egg does, however, have a chance of hatching into a Nidoran♂.
Nidoran♂ and Nidorino share the same species name with their female counterparts Nidoran♀ and Nidorina. They are all known as Poison Pin Pokémon.
Due to the fact that its gender, ♂, is included in its name, checking Nidoran♂'s summary from Generation II onward will display as if it were genderless if it does not have a nickname. If its nickname is anything other than "Nidoran♂", its gender will appear as normal.
All of Nidoran♂'s Pokédex entries mentions its large ears except the one featured in Gold and Pokémon Stadium 2.
Nidoran♂ appears to be based on a rabbit or mouse, or even a hamster, as seen by their aggressive nature towards one another.
Name origin
Nidoran♂'s name may be based on the word needle. It may also be based on cnidocyte, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably, by jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 ni, two, or 二度 nido, two times/two degrees, referring to there being two distinct evolutionary lines using the name with similar names and traits. The Japanese word ran is translated as orchid in English. Orchids are flowers that can be purple or blue. These colors are the same as the male and female evolutionary forms of Nidoran, respectively. The ♂ in its name is an indication of its male gender.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
TM43 (Detect) (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Nidoran♂ images on Bulbagarden Archives.
