Kangaskhan is a large, bipedal marsupialPokémon that vaguely resembles a kangaroo. It has a brown hide with several raised patches and a cream-colored belly. It has large, cream-colored ears, narrow, red eyes, and a short, rounded snout with two fangs in the back of its upper jaw. On top of its head is a thick, black plate. There are epaulette-like growths over its shoulders and a row of spikes down its back. It has three clawed digits on each hand and foot and a thick tail. On its belly is a pouch that contains a baby Kangaskhan. Unlike its parent, the baby is light purple and has smooth skin. Kangaskhan is a female-only species with no male counterpart.
Kangaskhan is a nurturing Pokémon that protects its young at all costs. It can move really fast, even with the baby in its pouch. The baby leaves the pouch only rarely until it is three years old. In order to avoid crushing the baby, Kangaskhan sleeps standing up. If the mother feels the environment is safe, it will allow its young out to play. However, it will violently attack anything that it sees as a threat to its young. As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Kangaskhan will defend the baby in its pouch, even while it sleeps.[1] If the baby is awake but the parent wants to sleep, Kangaskhan will lie down to sleep while the baby sits on top of its back. They are known to raise other species of Pokémon alongside their own children, and records exist which describe a childless Kangaskhan raising a lost human child. Regardless of how badly injured it becomes, the mother will not cease fighting until its young is safe. It uses quick jabs to intimidate its enemies. Although it was nearly hunted to extinction, Kangaskhan can be found in savannahs and other grasslands.
As Mega Kangaskhan, the mother Kangaskhan appears unchanged. However, the baby temporarily grows and gains some new features. There are now raised patches on its knees similar to those seen on its mother. These patches also appear aligned horizontally along its waist with a larger patch on its belly. Small, spiked growths appear underneath its ears. The child is feisty, hates to lose, and will boldly challenge its opponents to protect its mother.[2] The mother's happiness over its child's growth is the source of its additional strength. However, it feels uneasy about the child's future, as it is only skilled at fighting and nothing else. It is also saddened by the reminder that its child will one day leave.
If it is safe, the young gets out of the belly pouch to play. The adult keeps a close eye on the youngster. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) To protect its young, it will never give up during battle, no matter how badly wounded it is. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
If you come across a young Kangaskhan playing by itself, you must never disturb it or attempt to catch it. The baby Pokémon's parent is sure to be in the area, and it will become violently enraged at you.
If you come across a young Kangaskhan playing by itself, never try to catch it. The baby's parent is sure to be in the area, and it will become violently enraged.
If you come across a young Kangaskhan playing by itself, you must never disturb it or attempt to catch it. The baby Pokémon's parent is sure to be in the area, and it will become violently enraged at you.
You know, I used to have a different business. One day I thought, "Hey, a Deposit Box could manage storage without me around." That's why I decided to run a café instead! Oh my! Sorry for rambling on and boring you!
Kangaskhan raises its young in the pouch on its belly. It’ll threaten anyone who gets too close but only out of a desire to protect its young. It’s actually a very kind Pokémon.
Kangaskhan protects its child by keeping it in its pouch, even while sleeping. If the child wakes before its mother and leaves the pouch to play, you'd best not approach it or you may end up in trouble with its mother.
You know, I used to have a different business. One day I thought, "Hey, a Deposit Box could manage storage without me around." That's why I decided to run a café instead! Oh my! Sorry for rambling on and boring you!
Kangaskhan in the animeMega Kangaskhan in the anime
Major appearances
Multiple Kangaskhan debuted in The Kangaskhan Kid, where they were watching over a wild boy named Tommy, who in turn was protecting them as well. An injured baby Kangaskhan also appeared in the same episode.
In Kanga Games, a Kangaskhan allowed her child to play with Pikachu and his friends.
Multiple Kangaskhan appeared in Enter Pikachu!. One of them raised a wild Pichu in addition to her child, but the Pichu eventually left the herd after becoming too big for Kangaskhan to hold in her pouch. She also appeared in a flashback in Mind-Boggling Dynamax!.
Kangaskhan, a Parent Pokémon. Once approaching extinction, they are now protected by law and inhabit the Safari Zone. Approach with extreme caution. The Kangaskhan is a rare Pokémon which raises its children in its pocket. They will attack viciously and without warning if they feel their young are threatened in any way.
A Kangaskhan appeared in The Discovery, under the ownership of Green. She used it alongside her Gengar in her battle against the Trainers of Nugget Bridge and won easily.
In the manga
A mother Kangaskhan in Pokémon AdventuresA baby Kangaskhan in Pokémon Adventures
Kangaskhan debuted in The Secret of Kangaskhan. Here, Blue tries to catch one but is stopped by Red when the latter realizes Kangaskhan is protecting her baby. The baby was poisoned, so Red used an Antidote to heal her. Kangaskhan is grateful and leaves; Blue watched this in amazement, but was still angry at Red for allowing Kangaskhan to escape, thus starting their rivalry.
In Take a Chance on Chansey, during a flashback of Agatha's, Professor Oak is seen with a Kangaskhan, nicknamed Kanga, on his team from their league battle over two decades ago, and uses her to fight the bitter woman's Gengar, winning the match after hours.
Professor Oak's Kangaskhan is beaten both by the Team Rocket member Orm and Guile Hideout along with most of his other Pokémon, including his newly evolved Fearow. She has not been seen since.
Kanga, the mother Kangaskhan, and Li'l Kanga, the baby Kangaskhan, are the first known Pokémon of X. Using X's Mega Ring, Li'l Kanga can Mega Evolve and fight on her mother's behalf. They both debuted in An X-cuse to Come Out and Play.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
In Deoxys, The Phantom Pokémon! (Part 2), Mars has a Kangaskhan which she uses against Deoxys. Kangaskhan succeeded in critically wounding it. After using Outrage on Deoxys, she became confused and started to attack everything around her due to the side effect of Outrage. She also smashed her own Poké Ball while on rampage. Kangaskhan was eventually defeated by Deoxys in Attack Forme.
NA:What happens when Kangaskhan, the Parent Pokémon, Mega Evolves? The baby in its pouch jumps out and joins in the battle! All grown up, that baby is ready to protect its mother! "It's just a baby!" you might say, but look into those eyes - there is a ferocity there that will be tough to beat. Here comes a one-two combo from mom and baby!
PAL:You may feel underwhelmed the first time you see the Parent Pokémon Mega Evolve. "What, the kid just jumped out of the pouch? Is that it?" But take a closer look at its face - the child's brimming with a fierce determination to protect its mother. With this brave new partner, Mega Kangaskhan gains the ability to attack twice in one turn!
Kangaskhan and its Mega Evolved form appear as Spirits.
Trivia
Some early Pokédex entries specifically mention female Kangaskhan. ("The female raises its offspring in a pouch on its belly.", from Japanese Pokémon Red and Green, as well as FireRed; "The female raises its young in its belly pouch for around three years.", from Japanese Pokémon Stadium, as well as Pokémon Stadium) This may imply that there are male Kangaskhan as well, although they are not seen in Pokémon media.
Origin
Kangaskhan seems to be based on a kangaroo with elements of Mongolian laminar armor, evident in its helmet-like plate with ear flaps and its epaulets. Its appearance may also be based on Kaiju. The fact that the move Dizzy Punch originally used to be Kangaskhan's signature move may come from the cartoonish depiction of kangaroos as boxers.
It may also be based on a tree-kangaroo given its stockier build, wider face, and larger nails in comparison to a terrestrial kangaroo, or the procoptodon, an extinct prehistoric genus of terrestrial kangaroo known for their short faces, specifically the species of P. goliah, the largest known kangaroo species to have ever lived.
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.