Part of its internal anatomy, as seen in its conceptual art
Poliwag undergoes a dramatic change when it evolves to Poliwhirl. The most notable difference is that it has become bigger and gained arms with gloved hands while losing its tail. The eyes have moved to the top of its head and it apparently loses its visible mouth. Its nostrils are now visible. The direction of the swirl on its abdomen, created by its internal organs showing through the skin, reverses from the clockwise pattern of its pre-evolution, to counterclockwise. The skin on most of Poliwhirl's body is moist, due to an oily fluid; however, the skin on its belly spiral feels smooth.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
In addition to the abilities it had as Poliwag, Poliwhirl can now walk and swim even better than before. The surface of Poliwhirl's body is always wet and slick with an oily fluid. Because of this greasy covering, it can easily slip and slide out of the clutches of any enemy in battle. Staring at the swirl on Poliwhirl's belly may gradually cause drowsiness, a property that Poliwhirl puts to use when performing the move Hypnosis. As a Water-type, Poliwhirl can learn Water-type moves such as Bubble and Water Gun and, using its glove-like hands, moves like DoubleSlap and Wake-Up Slap. It can also learn Mud Shot and Mud Bomb, which can help it defend itself against Electric-types.
Behavior
Poliwhirl is skilled at walking and thus is capable of living on land, but prefers to stay in water, where there is less danger. If it is out of water, it sweats to keep its skin moist. If it hears the echoing cries from its evolution, Politoed, it shall respond by gathering from far and wide.
Poliwhirl live in small freshwater ponds and lakes, usually ones that have an abundance of lily pads. They can be found in Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Unova.
Poli was Red's first Pokémon. It debuted in the first round of the Red, Green & Blue arc, A Glimpse of the Glow as Poliwhirl, however was captured before the start of the chapter as a Poliwag. It gained more importance in Lt. Surge's story arc, in fact it evolved in Buzz Off, Electabuzz! while saving Red from drowning in the sea due to the specks of Water Stone present in the water.
Gold's Poliwag (Polibo) evolved into Poliwhirl in Volume 9 when Gold and Silver were trapped inside the Tin Tower. With Silver's knowledge of Pokémon trading, Gold temporarily traded Poliwhirl to Silver via their Pokédexes, prompting Poliwhirl to evolve into Politoed when the effects of its King's Rock activated from the trade, triggering the evolution.
Poliwhirl is a Tadpole Pokémon able to live on either land or in the water. When on dry land, it's constantly sweating to keep its skin nice and slimy. When in danger, it spins the whirlpool marking on its stomach to put enemies into a deep sleep, then it runs away. It evolves into either Poliwrath or Politoed.
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
The surface of Poliwhirl's body is always wet and slick with an oily fluid. Because of this greasy covering, it can easily slip and slide out of the clutches of any enemy in battle.
Its body surface is always wet and slick with an oily fluid. Because of this greasy covering, it can easily slip and slide out of the clutches of any enemy in battle.
Poliwhirl in the original Tokyo Pokémon Center logo
The logo for the Pokémon Center in Tokyo featured Poliwhirl until it was replaced by Piplup in July 2007.
Poliwhirl was also featured prominently on the center of the November 22nd, 1999 issue of Time Magazine.
Poliwhirl's sprites and artwork are inconsistent with respect to its gloves. Sometimes they are depicted as mittens, while other times they have separate fingers.
All spritework from FireRed and LeafGreen onwards feature Poliwhirl with mitten-like hands. Because of this, Poliwhirl is one of the few Pokémon to have its Emerald sprite differ from the Ruby and Sapphire one.
In Generation I sprites prior to Pokémon Yellow, the swirl on Poliwhirl's stomach goes in a clockwise direction, starting from the outside. But in other sprites, it is in the counterclockwise direction. The same goes for Poliwrath.
Poliwhirl is the first Pokémon in National Pokédex order to evolve by trading while holding an item.
Due to their almost identical appearance, Poliwhirl was often confused with Poliwrath by the dub voice actors. The same situation happened with Voltorb and Electrode.
Origin
Poliwhirl is based on a tadpole. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the organs of tadpoles can sometimes be seen through their transparent skin. Its evolution is based on a tadpole's metamorphosis.
Name origin
Poliwhirl may be a combination of polliwog and whirl (referring to the spiral on its stomach).
Nyorozo is derived from ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro (the sound of slithering).
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.
King's Rock (8%)
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For other sprites and images, please see Poliwhirl images on Bulbagarden Archives.
