Zweilous seems to be based on many-headed antagonistic dragons or serpents in various mythologies, such as the {{wp|Yamata no Orochi}}, the {{wp|Lernaean Hydra}}, or the {{wp|Zmei (Russian)|Zmei Gorynych}}; the latter in particular {{wp|Dobrynya Nikitich#Dobrynya and the Dragon|is known to be deceptive}}, as well as being described as having green scales, which may inspire Zweilous's {{Shiny}} coloration. Due to its apparent blindness and only being found in caves, Zweilous may also be based on a {{wp|cave salamander}}. The tank tread-like markings on Zweilous's body appears to be a remnant of when its evolutionary line were originally designed after tanks.<ref name=ND205>''Nintendo Dream'' Vol. 205, May 2011 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110402003550/http://shellspider.blog101.fc2.com/blog-entry-562.html Shellspider's blog (Japanese)], [http://lavacutcontent.com/ken-sugimori-nintendo-dream/ Translation by Dr. Lava])</ref>
Zweilous seems to be based on many-headed antagonistic dragons or serpents in various Asian and European mythologies, such as the {{wp|Yamata no Orochi}}, the {{wp|Lernaean Hydra}}, or the {{wp|Zmei (Russian)|Zmei Gorynych}}; the latter in particular {{wp|Dobrynya Nikitich#Dobrynya and the Dragon|is known to be deceptive}}, as well as being described as having green scales, which may inspire Zweilous's {{Shiny}} coloration. Due to its apparent blindness and only being found in caves, Zweilous may also be based on a {{wp|cave salamander}}. The tank tread-like markings on Zweilous's body appears to be a remnant of when its evolutionary line were originally designed after tanks.<ref name=ND205>''Nintendo Dream'' Vol. 205, May 2011 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110402003550/http://shellspider.blog101.fc2.com/blog-entry-562.html Shellspider's blog (Japanese)], [http://lavacutcontent.com/ken-sugimori-nintendo-dream/ Translation by Dr. Lava])</ref>
Zweilous is a dark-blue, quadrupedal Pokémon with two heads and black fur covering its necks and back. Its front legs are muscular with two claws on each foot, but its rear legs are less defined and have two small, backward-pointing toes without claws. There are tufts of fur over its heads with rounded points at the top. It has two thin wings on its back, each ending in two points. The fur stops at the chest and opens up to fuchsia striped bands on the side of its legs. Though it appears to lack eyes, it is unknown if Zweilous is blind.
Zweilous has the vigor and energy to eat and bite constantly without stopping. Its heads dislike each other and are very hostile. Each head has their own likes and dislikes. As a result, the heads often turn eating into a competition, each head trying to claim leadership by eating more than the other. Because of this, Zweilous always eats far too much and is covered in scars, even without opponents to fight. This allows Zweilous to become stronger without any allies helping it. It is a nomadic Pokémon; it migrates once it has eaten all the prey in an area. However, Zweilous generally makes its habitat in caves.
Zweilous made its main series debut in A Village Homecoming!, where two of them were owned by Iris's friend Shannon. The older of the two eventually evolved into Hydreigon.
Zweilous, the Hostile Pokémon and the evolved form of Deino. Zweilous always eats more than it should, moving to a new home after eating all the food it can find.
Zweilous, the Hostile Pokémon. A Dark and Dragon type. Its two heads do not get along, so each tries to assert its dominance by eating more than the other.
Of all the Pokémon that evolve by leveling up, Zweilous evolves into its final form, Hydreigon, starting at the highest level, evolving at level 64.
According to interviews with Ken Sugimori in Nintendo Dream, Zweilous and its evolutionary family were originally intended to have aspects of tanks. These Pokémon were scrapped until late in development, when they were revived and remade to be based on Yamata no Orochi. The tank tread-like markings on Zweilous's underbelly are a remnant of this design.[1]
Zweilous shares its category with Red- and Blue-Striped Basculin. They are all known as the Hostile Pokémon.
Zweilous and Deino are the only Pokémon who have Hustle as their only Ability.
Origin
Zweilous seems to be based on many-headed antagonistic dragons or serpents in various Asian and European mythologies, such as the Yamata no Orochi, the Lernaean Hydra, or the Zmei Gorynych; the latter in particular is known to be deceptive, as well as being described as having green scales, which may inspire Zweilous's Shiny coloration. Due to its apparent blindness and only being found in caves, Zweilous may also be based on a cave salamander. The tank tread-like markings on Zweilous's body appears to be a remnant of when its evolutionary line were originally designed after tanks.[2]
Name origin
Zweilous may be a combination of zwei (German for two) and jealous (as the heads always fight over food) or zealous (reflecting Zweilous's voracious appetite and intensely competitive nature).
Dihead may be a combination of di- (Greek prefix for two) or 二 ji (two) and head.
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.