Vulpix is a small, fox-like Pokémon that has a red-brown pelt, brown, pupil-less eyes and six orange tails (It gets more as it grows older). Vulpix also has what looks like orange bangs across its forehead as well as locks. At birth, Vulpix has only one white tail, which apparently splits and grows more beautiful and warmer as it grows older. Vulpix also has a flame inside its body that never goes out.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Vulpix are able to wield Template:Type2 moves naturally, as well as learning a few Template:Type2 moves such as Grudge and Confuse Ray. Their ability, Flash Fire, prevents them from being harmed by Fire moves as well. They are one of very few species that undergo evolution with a Fire Stone.
Behavior
Vulpix usually have a friendly, if not spoiled, temperament. Because of the flame in their bodies, when the temperature outside increases, they let flames out of their mouths to prevent their body temperature from getting too hot. In the wild, Vulpix will feign injury to escape from more powerful predators.
Vulpix can be found in grassy plains, near active volcanoes, or in mountainous areas with lots of shade. They are also found in urban areas such as parks and in avenues, more commonly at night.
At the time of its birth, Vulpix has one white tail. The tail separates into six if this Pokémon receives plenty of love from its Trainer. The six tails become magnificently curled.
Inside Vulpix's body burns a flame that never goes out. During the daytime, when the temperatures rise, this Pokémon releases flames from its mouth to prevent its body from growing too hot.
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Vulpix was originally going to be called "Foxfire".
In the anime, Vulpix is shown to have red bangs and tails rather than the orange it has in the games.
Even though the Pokédex entry states that it is born with one tail that splits as it matures, when Vulpix is bred in the games it hatches with six tails. The same is true for the anime.
Vulpix can be seen as a parallel to Growlithe. Both of them are Generation I Pokémon whose only evolutionary event utilizes a Fire Stone into their evolved forms. Vulpix is exclusive to Pokémon Blue/Green and LeafGreen while Growlithe is to Pokémon Red and FireRed, Growlithe has a 75% chance of being male while Vulpix has a 75% of being female, and they are both in the Ground Egg Group. Additionally, both can have Flash Fire as their ability, are based on canines (Growlithe being a dog, Vulpix being a fox), and both changed their alternate coloration to yellow in Generation III.
Vulpix and Ninetales are the only two Fire-type Pokémon species where females outnumber males.
Despite being able to learn Energy Ball through breeding, Vulpix is not compatible with the TM that teaches the move.
Origin
Vulpix, like Ninetales, are based on foxes. However, in Japan there are certain legends concerning foxes, or kitsune, as they are known there. One such legend which relates to Vulpix the most is how many-tailed foxes can breathe fire, create illusions, and have extremely long lifespans. After living a long time, these creatures take on spirit forms, which may be the reason why these two related Pokémon can learn Template:Type2 moves.
Name origin
Vulpix's name is a combination of vulpes, Latin for fox, vulcan, and six, referring to its six tails. The rok in Rokon may be derived from 六 roku, six; the kon may be derived from 恨, grudge which refers to the curse that Vulpix and Ninetales may cast on their foes. This is also reflected in Vulpix, which learns Grudge. Kon may also refer to the Japanese onomatopoeia kon kon which is the sound that foxes make. Furthermore, a コンロ konro is a gas burner stove. Also, an alternate reading of the Japanese word for fox, 狐 kitsune, is ko.
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.
For other sprites and images, please see Vulpix images on Bulbagarden Archives.
