Dratini is a reptilianPokémon with a blue serpentine body and a white underside. It has white, three-pronged fins on the sides of its head and a white bump on its forehead, which is its horn growing. Above its round, white snout are oval, purple eyes.
Dratini's life energy is constantly building so it is always growing, and can reach lengths of over six feet (2 meters). As it grows, it sheds its skin regularly; it hides behind a rapid waterfall during the process to protect itself, since the new skin is soft in texture. The shed skin can be tanned and used to create luxury boots. Dratini has been referred as the "Mirage Pokémon", because its existence was originally thought to be nothing more than a myth. Dratini was first discovered by a fisherman who spent 10 hours attempting to capture it. A small colony has also been found underwater, further confirming its existence. Dratini live near or in bodies of water with a rapid flow, such as the pools at the bottom of waterfalls. It lives a quiet life underwater, eating any food that sinks down to the bottom.
Dratini made its physical English dub debut in Beauty is Skin Deep, under the ownership of Clair. Team Rocket wanted to steal it from her, but failed. It evolved into a Dragonair at the end of the episode.
Dratini debuted in the banned episodeEP035, under the protection of the warden of the Safari Zone. By the end of the episode, it turned out that the Dratini the warden met 30 years earlier had evolved into a Dragonair, and was now raising its own child Dratini.
Lance's Dragonite was once a Dratini, as shown in a flashback in The Legend. It was also revealed to be a Pokémon harmed by human industrialization. This motivated Lance to formulate his plot to destroy humanity many years later.
A Dratini appeared in Good-Bye, Pikachu?!, where it took a liking to Pikachu. When Giovanni showed up with Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, Pikachu decided to protect it. Dratini then evolved into a Dragonair when it noticed that Pikachu got injured by Giovanni's Jolteon and Electabuzz. It evolved again into Dragonite when Clefairy pulled its tail.
Pokémon: Magikarp Jump: A Dratini may appear as part of the "You're No Magikarp!" event, being accidentally hooked up while fishing (instead of a Magikarp).
Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
A Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
In early English-language promotional material for Pokémon Red and Blue, Dratini was referred to as "Dragoon". Although this word can mean a European military unit that is transported on horseback but fights on foot, the name was probably selected as a combination of dragon and lagoon.
Dratini and its evolved forms share their category with Horsea, its evolved forms, Salamence, and KalosianGoodra. They are all known as the Dragon Pokémon.
Origin
Dratini appears to be based on sea serpents or ryu, traditional Japanese dragons or Chinese dragons who bring good luck. Its constant growth is similar to that of snakes, who grow as long as they live. Additionally, its reclusive nature, aquatic habitat, and the fact that, for a long time, it was considered a myth are reminiscent of the Loch Ness Monster.
Name origin
Dratini may be a combination of dragon and teeny, tiny, or mini.
Miniryu may be a combination of miniature and 竜 ryū (dragon).
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.
Dragon Scale (2%)
For other sprites and images, please see Dratini images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
