Nidoran♂ is a small, quadruped rodent-like Pokémon. It is pinkish purple with darker patches. It has large, spiny ears with teal insides, oversized front teeth, and red eyes. Its back is covered with three lines of large spines that can release potent poisons if threatened. The center line of spines is taller than the other two. The size of the long, pointed horn on its forehead is indicative of the strength of its venom. Nidoran♂ is a male-only species.
Nidoran♂ constantly listens for the sounds of approaching enemies with its large ears. Said ears have unique muscles that allow them to be moved in any direction, and even the slightest sound does not escape Nidoran♂'s notice. In order to listen to distant locations, it flaps its ears like wings. When angry, it extends its toxic spikes and charges, stabbing with its horn to inject poison. Nidoran♂ lives in open spaces, such as savannas and plains.
In In the Pink, a pink Nidoran♂ was a resident of Pinkan Island. Team Rocket attempted to capture him and his male counterpart, but they ended up being chased off by a pink Nidoking.
In File 1: Red, a Nidoran♂ was seen in Professor Oak's introduction, while another was under the ownership of Red. Red used his Nidoran♂ during his Gymbattle with Brock.
Nidoran♂ debuted in Just a Spearow Carrier, under the ownership of Wilton. Green attempted to trick the man into trading his Butterfree for her weak Weedle because his Pokémon was infatuated with her 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.
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.
Nidoran was the first Pokémon to feature gender differences, or even any indication of gender at all.
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.
When an Egg is produced from Nidoran and Ditto parents, the gender ratio of the Egg favors the gender of the non-Ditto parent by an unknown margin.
A Nidoran♀ Egg has a chance of hatching into a Nidoran♂ when bred with a non-Nidoran♂ compatible father.
Nidoran♂'s Shiny coloration is similar to Nidoran♀'s normal coloration. The same goes for Nidoran♀ .
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.
Nidoran♂ is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 273.
Origin
Nidoran♂ appears to draw inspiration from hamsters, rabbits, mice, or – given their aggressive nature towards one another – porcupines, with aspects of venomous mammals. However, anatomically they are arguably most like hyraxes – small, rodent-like mammals that are genetically more closely related to much larger mammals like elephants and manatees featuring thickset bodies with tough hides (similar to Nidorino and Nidoking).
Name origin
Nidoran♂ may be derived from needle. It may also come from cnidocyte, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 ni (two) or 二度 nido (two times/two degrees) referring to the two distinct evolutionary lines with similar names and traits. Also, the Japanese word ran is translated as orchid in English. Orchids are flowers that can be purple or blue, these being the same colors as the male and female evolutionary forms of Nidoran, respectively. The ♂ 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.