Magcargo are fairly large, snail-like Pokémon that consist almost entirely of red-colored magma, much like their pre-evolution. They have large eyes with yellow sclera and black pupils, and a wide mouth that appears to be smiling. Large drops of magma are in the corners of their mouths. On their backs, Magcargo have a hardened, black, circular shell that is nothing more than a hardened layer of magma that can flake off easily upon contact. The shell has many cracks in it, from which flames occasionally spout.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Magcargo have bodies made of magma that is over 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature. They can use many Fire-type moves because of this. They can also learn Recover.
Behavior
Magcargo are said to return to their original size by dipping themselves in magma. Magcargo also try to stay near extremely hot things to prevent their magma bodies from hardening.
Magcargo's shell is actually its skin that hardened as a result of cooling. Its shell is very brittle and fragile - just touching it causes it to crumble apart. This Pokémon returns to its original size by dipping itself in magma.
Magcargo's body temperature is approximately 18,000 degrees F. Water is vaporized on contact. If this Pokémon is caught in the rain, the raindrops instantly turn into steam, cloaking the area in a thick fog.
Magcargo has its sprite changed in Crystal from Gold and Silver, in this case, its shell is edited slightly, making it one of few Pokémon to have three different sprites in Generation II.
Origin
Magcargo is based on a snail, likely the Victaphanta atramentaria, with a body of lava and a shell of rock. It may also be based on the Cherufe, mythical evil creatures of rock and magma that inhabit the magma pools found deep within Chilean volcanoes. In legends, they are the main sources of earthquakes in Chile.
Name origin
Magcargo and Magcargot are a combination of magma (intrusive molten rock) and escargot (French for snail). Cargo may also refer to the shell it carries, which it lacked as a Slugma.
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.