Chimchar are based on chimpanzees. Being very agile, Chimchar are able to climb the rocky ledges of tall mountains, where they live. The flames on their rears are produced by burning gas in their stomachs. Chimchar also has a swirl-like symbol on the chest. The flames do not go out in the rain, and, unlike the tail flames of Charmander, those of Chimchar go out when they go to sleep. Despite being based on chimpanzees, Chimchar's cry is actually much more similar to that of a spider monkey.
Chimchar first appeared in Following a Maiden Voyage. The little fire-monkey was teasing a Piplup after stealing food from it. Piplup then started firing a Bubble attack, but Chimchar kept jumping out of the way. Staraptor was hit in Piplup's line of fire and created a Gust that wrecked everything in Professor Rowan's lab. Chimchar jumped out of a broken window with Piplup chasing after it.
Chimchar, the Monkey Pokémon. Chimchar easily climbs the sheerest of walls and lives on mountain tops. When it sleeps, its flames go out. (Note: Chimchar's actual classification is the Chimp Pokémon, not the Monkey Pokémon, as stated.)
A Chimp Pokémon. With a flaming tail, Chimchar is skilled in Fire-type moves. Its light body affords it the ability to scale steep cliffs and live atop rocky mountains. Some say that the fiery tail is fueled by gas made in its stomach. Not even rain can put out the flames, but Chimchar always puts out the fire when asleep. Chimchar evolves into Monferno.
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Chimchar is the only Pokémon to learn Facade by level up.
Although Chimchar has no evident tail, it can be taught Iron Tail.
Chimchar, along with Cyndaquil, are the only two starter Pokémon that evolve at level 14, the lowest level starters evolve at. Coincidentally, both are the Fire-type choice in the regions introduced in an even-numbered generation, and both are the only mammal-inspired starter Pokémon in any generation
Chimchar is the only unevolved Template:Type2 Pokémon to be introduced in Generation IV.
Origin
Chimchar appears to be based on a young monkey. The fiery tail mirrors Charmander, and the two Pokémon share the root char in their name. This is mirrored in their Japanese names, Hikozaru (Chimchar) and Hitokage (Charmander), sharing the element 火 hi, meaning "fire".
Name origin
Hikozaru's name is derived from 火 hi, or fire, 子 ko, or child, and 猿 saru, or monkey. Zaru is used to describe an ape. Chimchar comes from chimp and char or charcoal.
In other languages
German: Panflam - From Schimpanse (chimpanzee) and Flamme (flame).
French: Ouisticram - From ouistiti (marmoset) and cramé (burnt).
Korean: 불꽃숭이 Bulkkotsung'i - From the words 불꽃 Bulkkot (flame) and 원숭이 Wonsung'i (monkey).
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.
For other sprites and images, please see Chimchar images on Bulbagarden Archives.
