I don't play PGO, but I enjoy taking pictures of interesting insects, plants, etc. and sometimes stumble across things that have (or may have) inspired Pokémon. Here are some "Pokémon" I've caught (on film) IRL—feel free to share some of your own!
(Some of these may not be species-specific, but I feel that they would still translate into these Pokémon.)
(Some of these may not be species-specific, but I feel that they would still translate into these Pokémon.)
GEN. 1–3
Bulbasaur and Ivysaur were confirmed in an interview to be based on frogs. They may draw inspiration from tree frogs given their Grass typing.
Being stockier than Bulbasaur and having obvious warts, Venusaur is most likely based on toads.
Charmander's English name suggests that it may be based on salamanders, which are associated with the element of fire in Japanese mythology.
Caterpie is based on swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Some species (including this one) extend a foul-smelling Y-shaped defensive organ from above their head when threatened.
Weedle represents the larval stage of a wasp. It also has characteristics of stinging caterpillars, called "kemushi" in Japan (which is also Weedle's Japanese category).
While it may represent wasp or bee pupae in general, Kakuna's characteristic of dangling from a silk thread (as seen in the anime and some side games) seems to have been inspired by hanging parasitoid wasp cocoons.
While based on an Asian giant hornet, Beedrill's green and blue Shiny palette may draw inspiration from cuckoo wasps.
Though it could be based on a variety of small birds, Pidgey bears a striking resemblance to the Carolina wren.
Pikachu was confirmed to draw inspiration from squirrels, particularly its tail and cheek pouches. Since tree squirrels don't have cheek pouches, Pikachu may draw inspiration from chipmunks (aka "striped squirrels" in Japan) or similar-looking ground squirrels. The upright position of its tail while running is more consistent with chipmunks than tree or ground squirrels.
Paras and Parasect are based on insects that have fallen victim to a parasitoid fungus.
The base insect appears to be a cicada nymph (see Nincada), but Parasect also bears an uncanny resemblance to red velvet mites, which themselves are parasites.
Despite its name, Venonat seems to be based (at least partially) on hairy, venomous caterpillars. Megalopyge-genus caterpillars are particularly round, so it may draw inspiration from those.
Venomoth seems to combine the idea of toxic moths (tiger moths) with the appearance of toxic swallowtail butterflies, such as the Pipevine Swallowtail (which may explain its Shiny colors).
(NOTE: This is a Spicebush Swallowtail, a mimic of the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail. However, according to author Phillip J. Schappert, there's indication that even this species may be distasteful.)
Meowth and Persian draw inspiration from Siamese cats.
While only Meowth has the col0r-tipped feet and tail characteristic of Siamese cats, Persian is classified as a Siamese Cat (Shamuneko) Pokémon in the Japanese games.
Poliwhirl may be based on metamorph froglets (tadpoles with all four legs), despite lacking a tail. Poliwag would represent the tadpole with hindlegs, Poliwrath a froglet, and Politoed an adult frog.
Though I'm not sure if it draws inspiration from them, Koffing (and Weezing) share some similarities with false puffball slime molds.
Tangela is based on tangled vines, possibly leafless, parasitic vines such as the dodder (aka hairweed and witch's hair).
Scyther is based on the Japanese Giant Mantis. While these don't occur in the US, the Chinese Mantis (North America's largest mantid) belongs to the same genus and was once considered part of the same species.
Pinsir is based on stag beetles.
The Helix Fossil (Omanyte) is based on ammonoid, ancient spiral-shelled squid, fossils.
Spinarak is based on spiders with face-like abdominal markings. Its build resembles that of a jumping spider.
Ariados appears to draw inspiration from various spiders, especially orb-weavers.
This family is based on the life cycle of a dandelion.
While based on the Banded Darter dragonfly, Yanma's Shiny palette may draw inspiration from the Blue Dasher (or blue dragonflies in general).
Umbreon seems to be based on black cats. Several TCG cards suggest that Umbreon is more cat-like than other speculated origins (such as foxes and rabbits).
Murkrow is based on crows.
Pineco is based on bagworms whose cases superficially resemble pine cones, such as the Evergreen Bagworm. It also has characteristics of grenades or caltrops, perhaps referencing this species' destructive habits.
Though it more closely resembles a giant clam, Forretress may also draw inspiration from worms residing in walnut husks/shells.
Dunsparce is based on the snake-like Tsuchinoko cryptid of Japan. While this creature has yet to be proven to exist, hornworms are sometimes mistaken for it.
The hoop snake is essentially America's version of the Tsuchinoko. Long rumored to give chase to humans, some believe that racers (along with other colubrids) may have inspired tales of this cryptid. (Hoop snake is one of the black racer's common names.)
Gligar's design seems to be a pun on "scorpionfly."
Mega Heracross is based on Hercules Beetles.
Beautifly is based on swallowtail butterflies.
Dustox is based on the Japanese Moon Moth, a close relative and lookalike of the American Luna Moth.
Seedot is based on acorns.
Surskit is based on water striders.
Masquerain seems to combine aspects of damselflies and moths with eyespots.
This family is based on the life cycle of a cicada—nymph, adult, and shed skin.
Trapinch is based on the larval stage of an antlion.
While representative of an adult antlion, Vibrava appears to draw more visual inspiration from mayflies. This may be a reference to the Japanese word for an adult antlion translating "thin-winged mayfly."
Flygon represents the adult stage of an antlion. Its design and association with sandstorms may be a pun on "sanddragon" dragonflies.
Corphish and Crawdaunt are based on crayfish.
The Root Fossil (Lileep) is based on crinoid—or "sea lily"—fossils.
(NOTE: This isn't a whole specimen, just the stalk.)
Bulbasaur and Ivysaur were confirmed in an interview to be based on frogs. They may draw inspiration from tree frogs given their Grass typing.
Being stockier than Bulbasaur and having obvious warts, Venusaur is most likely based on toads.
Charmander's English name suggests that it may be based on salamanders, which are associated with the element of fire in Japanese mythology.
Caterpie is based on swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Some species (including this one) extend a foul-smelling Y-shaped defensive organ from above their head when threatened.
Weedle represents the larval stage of a wasp. It also has characteristics of stinging caterpillars, called "kemushi" in Japan (which is also Weedle's Japanese category).
While it may represent wasp or bee pupae in general, Kakuna's characteristic of dangling from a silk thread (as seen in the anime and some side games) seems to have been inspired by hanging parasitoid wasp cocoons.
While based on an Asian giant hornet, Beedrill's green and blue Shiny palette may draw inspiration from cuckoo wasps.
Though it could be based on a variety of small birds, Pidgey bears a striking resemblance to the Carolina wren.
Pikachu was confirmed to draw inspiration from squirrels, particularly its tail and cheek pouches. Since tree squirrels don't have cheek pouches, Pikachu may draw inspiration from chipmunks (aka "striped squirrels" in Japan) or similar-looking ground squirrels. The upright position of its tail while running is more consistent with chipmunks than tree or ground squirrels.
Paras and Parasect are based on insects that have fallen victim to a parasitoid fungus.
The base insect appears to be a cicada nymph (see Nincada), but Parasect also bears an uncanny resemblance to red velvet mites, which themselves are parasites.
Despite its name, Venonat seems to be based (at least partially) on hairy, venomous caterpillars. Megalopyge-genus caterpillars are particularly round, so it may draw inspiration from those.
Venomoth seems to combine the idea of toxic moths (tiger moths) with the appearance of toxic swallowtail butterflies, such as the Pipevine Swallowtail (which may explain its Shiny colors).
(NOTE: This is a Spicebush Swallowtail, a mimic of the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail. However, according to author Phillip J. Schappert, there's indication that even this species may be distasteful.)
Meowth and Persian draw inspiration from Siamese cats.
While only Meowth has the col0r-tipped feet and tail characteristic of Siamese cats, Persian is classified as a Siamese Cat (Shamuneko) Pokémon in the Japanese games.
Poliwhirl may be based on metamorph froglets (tadpoles with all four legs), despite lacking a tail. Poliwag would represent the tadpole with hindlegs, Poliwrath a froglet, and Politoed an adult frog.
Though I'm not sure if it draws inspiration from them, Koffing (and Weezing) share some similarities with false puffball slime molds.
Tangela is based on tangled vines, possibly leafless, parasitic vines such as the dodder (aka hairweed and witch's hair).
Scyther is based on the Japanese Giant Mantis. While these don't occur in the US, the Chinese Mantis (North America's largest mantid) belongs to the same genus and was once considered part of the same species.
Pinsir is based on stag beetles.
The Helix Fossil (Omanyte) is based on ammonoid, ancient spiral-shelled squid, fossils.
Spinarak is based on spiders with face-like abdominal markings. Its build resembles that of a jumping spider.
Ariados appears to draw inspiration from various spiders, especially orb-weavers.
This family is based on the life cycle of a dandelion.
While based on the Banded Darter dragonfly, Yanma's Shiny palette may draw inspiration from the Blue Dasher (or blue dragonflies in general).
Umbreon seems to be based on black cats. Several TCG cards suggest that Umbreon is more cat-like than other speculated origins (such as foxes and rabbits).
Murkrow is based on crows.
Pineco is based on bagworms whose cases superficially resemble pine cones, such as the Evergreen Bagworm. It also has characteristics of grenades or caltrops, perhaps referencing this species' destructive habits.
Though it more closely resembles a giant clam, Forretress may also draw inspiration from worms residing in walnut husks/shells.
Dunsparce is based on the snake-like Tsuchinoko cryptid of Japan. While this creature has yet to be proven to exist, hornworms are sometimes mistaken for it.
The hoop snake is essentially America's version of the Tsuchinoko. Long rumored to give chase to humans, some believe that racers (along with other colubrids) may have inspired tales of this cryptid. (Hoop snake is one of the black racer's common names.)
Gligar's design seems to be a pun on "scorpionfly."
Mega Heracross is based on Hercules Beetles.
Beautifly is based on swallowtail butterflies.
Dustox is based on the Japanese Moon Moth, a close relative and lookalike of the American Luna Moth.
Seedot is based on acorns.
Surskit is based on water striders.
Masquerain seems to combine aspects of damselflies and moths with eyespots.
This family is based on the life cycle of a cicada—nymph, adult, and shed skin.
Trapinch is based on the larval stage of an antlion.
While representative of an adult antlion, Vibrava appears to draw more visual inspiration from mayflies. This may be a reference to the Japanese word for an adult antlion translating "thin-winged mayfly."
Flygon represents the adult stage of an antlion. Its design and association with sandstorms may be a pun on "sanddragon" dragonflies.
Corphish and Crawdaunt are based on crayfish.
The Root Fossil (Lileep) is based on crinoid—or "sea lily"—fossils.
(NOTE: This isn't a whole specimen, just the stalk.)
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