Paras is an insectoid creature, with the unique feature of having mushrooms known as tochukaso growing from its back. They grow from spores that are doused on this Pokémon's back at birth by the mushroom on its parent's back.
Though tochukaso are parasitic in nature, Paras manages to make use of the mushrooms by creating a semi-symbiotic relationship; the mushrooms draw their nutrients from the host Paras's body in order to grow, and Paras is able to use the mushrooms spores along with its own pincers for self-defense.
Paras may have fairly long life spans, because the tochukaso is known for having properties that are beneficial for longevity.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
The mushrooms growing out of its back will release irritating spores that can paralyze, poison, or put to sleep.
Behavior
The mushrooms on its back have a very commanding influence over Paras and order it to extract juice from tree trunks. It is also very timid as shown in the anime when it runs away from a battle with a Charmeleon.
Paras can often be found in caves, since sunlight and dry air hurt their skin. They can also thrive in dank forests with lots of humidity where conditions are ideal for fungi.
It is unknown if Paras eats regular food in the wild or if it gets all of its nutrients from the roots that it sucks, though most of the food is absorbed by the mushrooms on its back.
Paras is first featured in The Problem with Paras under the ownership of Cassandra. It is extremely weak, but Cassandra needs it to evolve into a Parasect so she can use the giant mushroom to aid in her medical research.
Paras has parasitic mushrooms growing on its back called tochukaso. They grow large by drawing nutrients from this Bug Pokémon host. They are highly valued as a medicine for extending life.
Paras has parasitic mushrooms growing on its back called tochukaso. They grow large by drawing nutrients from this Bug Pokémon host. They are highly valued as a medicine for extending life.
A Paras has parasitic tochukaso mushrooms growing on its back. They grow by drawing nutrients from the host. They are valued as a medicine for long life.
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Paras's name was originally "Parasyte". The name was probably abandoned because it was also the official English name of an extremely graphic Japanese horror comic.
In Generation I, Poison attacks are super effective against Bug, making Paras and Parasect the only Pokémon to have ever had three 4× weaknesses or double weakness to Poison.
Due to the ability Dry Skin, Paras and Parasect are also the only Pokémon to have a 8× weakness (to Fire).
Paras, Parasect, and Wormadam in its Plant cloak are the only Template:Type2s that also take super-effective damage from Bug attacks, due to their part Grass typing.
Paras' colors on its Template:Shiny2 sprite resembles its evolution's colors.
Origin
There are many forms of fungus that grow on insects, any one of which could have inspired Paras's design, like the Entomophthora muscae, which grows on the back of the common housefly. As for the insect itself, it bears a resemblance to a cicada larva, more so than Nincada.
Name origin
Paras's name is a shortening of the word parasite, referring to the parasitic mushroom growing on its back. "Paras" also means "the best" in Finnish.
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 Paras images on Bulbagarden Archives.
