m Sprite/model trivia isn't allowed unless particularly notable. "The color changed" isn't notable enough on it's own, and is clearly visible from the sprite box. See your talk page for details https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/User_talk:CloudMonarch
** All six Pokémon also share a common [[move]], {{m|Spore}}; and [[Ability]], {{a|Effect Spore}}.
** All six Pokémon also share a common [[move]], {{m|Spore}}; and [[Ability]], {{a|Effect Spore}}.
** In [[Pokémon GO]], they all give more [[Stardust (GO)|Stardust]] than most other Pokémon upon capture.
** In [[Pokémon GO]], they all give more [[Stardust (GO)|Stardust]] than most other Pokémon upon capture.
* Paras can be seen as a counterpart to {{p|Morelull}}. Both share the {{t|Grass}} type, the same base stat total of 285, evolve at Level 24, both are mushroom-based Pokémon and thus can learn {{m|Spore}}, and both can be found in the wild in [[Pokémon Sun and Moon]], taking the place of the other depending on the [[time]], with Paras being found during the day and Morelull at night.
* Paras can be seen as a counterpart to {{p|Morelull}}. Both share the {{t|Grass}} type, the same base stat total of 285, evolve at Level 24, both are mushroom-based Pokémon and thus can learn {{m|Spore}}, and both can be found in the wild in [[Pokémon Sun and Moon]], taking the place of the other depending on the [[time]], with Paras being found during the day and Morelull at night. Also, they get in territorial disputes.
* In the 1.0 release of the English versions of {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, the [[Pokédex]] entry of Paras refers to it as '''BUG POKéMON'''. In the 1.1 release, this was modified to mention '''BUG/GRASS POKéMON''' instead. The Pokédex entry in {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}} says '''Bug Pokémon''' like Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire version 1.0, however.
* In the 1.0 release of the English versions of {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, the [[Pokédex]] entry of Paras refers to it as '''BUG POKéMON'''. In the 1.1 release, this was modified to mention '''BUG/GRASS POKéMON''' instead. The Pokédex entry in {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}} says '''Bug Pokémon''' like Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire version 1.0, however.
Paras is an orange, insectoidPokémon that resembles the nymph stage of a cicada. Its ovoid body is segmented, and it has three pairs of legs. The foremost pair of legs is the largest and has sharp claws at the tips. There are five specks on its forehead and three teeth on either side of its mouth. It has circular eyes with large pseudopupils.
Red-and-yellow mushrooms known as tochukaso grow on this Pokémon's back. The mushrooms can be removed at any time and grow from spores that are doused on this Pokémon's back at birth by the mushroom on its mother's back. Tochukaso are parasitic in nature, drawing their nutrients from the host Paras's body in order to grow and exerting some command over the Pokémon's actions. For example, Paras drains nutrients from tree roots due to commands from the mushrooms. The mushrooms are also popular among collectors and have medicinal uses, usually involving extended life. Prior to Generation III, Spore was its signature move.
The anime has shown that Paras can often be found in caves. However, it can also thrive in damp forests. In the Alolaregion, the mushrooms on its back do not grow well. This is thought to be from a lack of moisture or nutrients.
In The Problem with Paras, Cassandra owns a Paras that is extremely weak, but she needed it to evolve into a Parasect so she could use its giant mushroom to aid her in her medical research. It did so towards the end of the episode.
Minor appearances
Multiple Paras debuted in Clefairy and the Moon Stone, where they were removing the mushrooms on their backs. Seymour explained that this behavior was due to someone stringing lights in the caves of Mt. Moon, and implied that this was not good for them.
Five Paras appeared in The Power of Us, with four under the ownership of different Trainers and the fourth being wild.
Three Paras appeared in Securing the Future!, with two under the ownership of different Trainers and the third being wild. They joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its true form.
Paras has parasitic mushrooms growing on its back called tochukaso. They grow large by drawing nutrients from thisBug/Grass Pokémon host. They are highly valued as a medicine for extending life.
A Paras has parasitic tochukaso mushrooms growing on its back. They grow by drawing nutrients from the host. They are valued as a medicine for long life.
Paras has parasitic mushrooms growing on its back called tochukaso. They grow large by drawing nutrients from this Bug Pokémon host. They are highly valued as a medicine for extending life.
Sometimes seen at the foot of trees in humid forests. The mushrooms on its back—called tochukaso—are not present on infant specimens and instead emerge as Paras matures.
Early English promotional material for Pokémon Red and Blue listed Paras's name as Parasyte.
In Generation I, Poison-type attacks were super effective against Bug-type Pokémon, making Paras and Parasect the only Pokémon to have ever had three 4× weaknesses.
No other Pokémon has the same Egg Group combination as Paras and its evolution.
In Pokémon GO, they all give more Stardust than most other Pokémon upon capture.
Paras can be seen as a counterpart to Morelull. Both share the Grass type, the same base stat total of 285, evolve at Level 24, both are mushroom-based Pokémon and thus can learn Spore, and both can be found in the wild in Pokémon Sun and Moon, taking the place of the other depending on the time, with Paras being found during the day and Morelull at night. Also, they get in territorial disputes.
In the 1.0 release of the English versions of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the Pokédex entry of Paras refers to it as BUG POKéMON. In the 1.1 release, this was modified to mention BUG/GRASS POKéMON instead. The Pokédex entry in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire says Bug Pokémon like Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire version 1.0, however.
The fungus on Paras is identified as tochukaso, an endoparasitoid that replaces the host tissue and can affect the behavior of its insect host. The base insect appears to be a cicadanymph. In concept, it could be inspired by ants that are infected with mushroom spores that take control of the host ant's brain and sprout from its head or back. It may also draw inspiration from Massospora, a genus of fungi which include species that specifically infect cicadas.
Name origin
Paras may be derived from parasite, referring to the parasitic mushroom growing on its back.
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.
TinyMushroom (23%)
Big Mushroom (2%)
BalmMushroom (1%)
For other sprites and images, please see Paras images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
