Larvitar is a small, green reptilian Pokémon with rocky skin. It has a blunt spike on top of its head, a short, rounded snout, and triangular, black markings below and on the upper corners of its red eyes. Red scales cover its diamond-shaped belly, and there are several small holes in its body. Its short arms lack fingers, while its feet have a single toenail each. It has a tail with a conical center surrounded by a ring of plate-like scales, causing it to resemble a tunnel-boring machine. Larvitar is born deep underground, far from its parent. It grows by consuming soil, and will enter its pupal stage upon eating an entire mountain's worth of earth. Larvitar usually lives in mountains, hills, and caves.
Larvitar debuted in Pikachu's PikaBoo. Pikachu and its friends invited Larvitar and its own friends to a game of hide-and-seek, though Larvitar refused. Later, it felt left out and viciously kicked a rock at a lawnmower, which went ridiculously haywire, though the situation was eventually resolved.
A Larvitar appeared in Pinch Healing, where it was being babysat by a Poké-Sitter named Matt. Ash and his friends decided to help him with his job. The Larvitar was particularly shy and would use Sandstorm when confronted. By the end of the episode, however, it warmed up to the group, particularly May.
Crystal's Archy was attacked by a Larvitar and injured five years prior to Slugging It Out With Slugma, causing him to go on a rampage until Crystal calmed him down. The same Larvitar returned in Lively Larvitar, when Crystal returned to Mt. Mortar, tormenting Crystal and Arcanine until her newly evolved Megaree defeated it, allowing her to capture it and regain her shattered confidence from failing to catch Suicune earlier.
A Larvitar appeared in the Trick Master's flashback in The Final Battle V, where it was one of the Pokémon calmed down by the homeland soil.
Larvitar is born deep under the ground. To come up to the surface, this Pokémon must eat its way through the soil above. Until it does so, Larvitar cannot see its parent's face.
Larvitar is born deep under the ground. To come up to the surface, this Pokémon must eat its way through the soil above. Until it does so, Larvitar cannot see its parents.
Larvitar appears to share similarities with dinosaurs. Its penchant for eating mountains, fences, or probably anything else may also come from the legend of the Tarasque.
Yogiras may be a combination of 幼児 yōji (baby or child) or 幼生 yōsei (larva) and 嫌い kirai (hate). Giras may derive from Gojira, the Japanese name for the character Godzilla, or Angiras, the Japanese name for the character Anguirus. Both are dinosaur-like tokusatsu movie monsters that share some characteristics with Tyranitar, its evolution.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
ヨーギラス Yogiras
From 幼児 yōji, 幼生 yōsei, 嫌い kirai, Godzilla, and Angiras
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.