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.
Gender differences
Special abilities
Behavior
Much like their real world counterpart, Chimchar are very inquisitive and are prone to mischief, but can show bravery when push comes to shove.
Habitat
Chimchar are very rare and only make their nests in cliffsides and rocky mountains.
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 is the only Pokémon to learn Facade by level up.
Despite having no physical tail, it can learn Iron Tail.
Chimchar is the only fire type starter Pokémon that does not learn Flamethrower while leveling up.
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. Its German name, Panflam, comes from Schimpanse and Flamme. Its French name, Ouisticram, comes from ouistiti and cramé. Its Korean name comes from the words 불꽃(Bulkkot, meaning 'flame') and 원숭이 (Wonsung'i, meaning '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.