---
title: "Pokémon Based on Real Animals: Which Animal Inspired Each One? | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/articles/pokemon-based-on-real-animals"
description: "Pikachu looks like a mouse, Magikarp like a carp and Lapras like a plesiosaur. See which real animal inspired over 30 Pokémon, from mammals to fossils."
last_updated: "2026-10-21"
publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)"
published: "2026-10-21"
---

# Pokémon Based on Real Animals: Which Animal Inspired Each One?

Dozens of Pokémon look like real animals. [Pikachu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pikachu) is a mouse, [Magikarp](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magikarp) looks like a carp, and [Lapras](https://pokee.si/pokemon/lapras) looks like a sea reptile that lived long before humans. For a full list for one animal, such as [cat Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/cat) or [dog Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/dog), see [Pokémon that look like animals](https://pokee.si/animals).

The games rarely say where a design came from, so fans and the Bulbapedia website work most of it out from clues. That is why this page says "inspired by" and "looks like it is based on". The Pokémon and their official categories come from the pokee.si Pokédex data.

## The official animal words

Every Pokémon has a category, like "Mouse Pokémon". Counting the animal words in them gives a rough idea of which animals turn up most. Bird is the most common (15 Pokémon), then Mouse (13), Snake (10), Fish (10), Fox (9) and Cat (8).

| Category | Count | Some examples |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bird | 15 | [Pidgey](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pidgey), [Doduo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/doduo), [Skarmory](https://pokee.si/pokemon/skarmory), [Swablu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/swablu), [Rookidee](https://pokee.si/pokemon/rookidee) |
| Mouse | 13 | [Rattata](https://pokee.si/pokemon/rattata), [Pikachu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pikachu), [Marill](https://pokee.si/pokemon/marill), [Bidoof](https://pokee.si/pokemon/bidoof) |
| Snake | 10 | [Ekans](https://pokee.si/pokemon/ekans), [Onix](https://pokee.si/pokemon/onix), [Seviper](https://pokee.si/pokemon/seviper), [Snivy](https://pokee.si/pokemon/snivy) |
| Fish | 10 | [Magikarp](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magikarp), [Wooper](https://pokee.si/pokemon/wooper), [Mudkip](https://pokee.si/pokemon/mudkip), [Feebas](https://pokee.si/pokemon/feebas) |
| Fox | 9 | [Vulpix](https://pokee.si/pokemon/vulpix), [Zorua](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zorua), [Fennekin](https://pokee.si/pokemon/fennekin) |
| Cat | 8 | [Meowth](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meowth), [Litten](https://pokee.si/pokemon/litten), [Sprigatito](https://pokee.si/pokemon/sprigatito) |

A category does not always match the animal that inspired the design. [Sandshrew](https://pokee.si/pokemon/sandshrew) is a "Mouse Pokémon", but Bulbapedia says it looks like an armadillo or a pangolin. [Bidoof](https://pokee.si/pokemon/bidoof) is a "Plump Mouse Pokémon", yet it looks like a beaver or a gopher.

## Pikachu is a mouse, with squirrel cheeks

[Pikachu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pikachu) started out as a different creature. Bulbapedia says it was first a round, daifuku-like shape with ears sticking out. Then Game Freak's CEO, Satoshi Tajiri, decided to base it on a mouse. The cheek pouches that store electricity were added later and were inspired by squirrels.

Its evolution, [Raichu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/raichu), is also a "Mouse Pokémon". Compare the two on [Pikachu vs Raichu](https://pokee.si/vs/pikachu-vs-raichu).

## Mammals

| Pokémon | Type | Official category | Inspired by (Bulbapedia) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pikachu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pikachu) | [Electric](https://pokee.si/types/electric) | Mouse Pokémon | a mouse (with squirrel-style cheek pouches) |
| [Sandshrew](https://pokee.si/pokemon/sandshrew) | [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) | Mouse Pokémon | an armadillo or pangolin |
| [Kangaskhan](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kangaskhan) | [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal) | Parent Pokémon | a kangaroo |
| [Drowzee](https://pokee.si/pokemon/drowzee) | [Psychic](https://pokee.si/types/psychic) | Hypnosis Pokémon | a tapir (and the baku of Japanese myth) |
| [Donphan](https://pokee.si/pokemon/donphan) | [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) | Armor Pokémon | an elephant |
| [Zubat](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zubat) | [Poison/Flying](https://pokee.si/types/poison-flying) | Bat Pokémon | a bat (vampire bats) |
| [Komala](https://pokee.si/pokemon/komala) | [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal) | Drowsing Pokémon | a koala |
| [Wooloo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/wooloo) | [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal) | Sheep Pokémon | a sheep |
| [Skwovet](https://pokee.si/pokemon/skwovet) | [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal) | Cheeky Pokémon | an Eastern gray squirrel |
| [Lechonk](https://pokee.si/pokemon/lechonk) | [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal) | Hog Pokémon | a young black Iberian pig |

## Birds

| Pokémon | Type | Official category | Inspired by (Bulbapedia) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Psyduck](https://pokee.si/pokemon/psyduck) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Duck Pokémon | a duck (and a platypus) |
| [Piplup](https://pokee.si/pokemon/piplup) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Penguin Pokémon | a penguin chick |
| [Rowlet](https://pokee.si/pokemon/rowlet) | [Grass/Flying](https://pokee.si/types/grass-flying) | Grass Quill Pokémon | an owl (the barn owl) |
| [Toucannon](https://pokee.si/pokemon/toucannon) | [Normal/Flying](https://pokee.si/types/normal-flying) | Cannon Pokémon | a toco toucan |
| [Flamigo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/flamigo) | [Flying/Fighting](https://pokee.si/types/fighting-flying) | Synchronize Pokémon | a flamingo |

## Sea life

The ocean gives the designers a lot to work with. [Wailord](https://pokee.si/pokemon/wailord) looks like a blue whale, [Finizen](https://pokee.si/pokemon/finizen) like a dolphin and [Horsea](https://pokee.si/pokemon/horsea) like a seahorse.

| Pokémon | Type | Official category | Inspired by (Bulbapedia) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Dewgong](https://pokee.si/pokemon/dewgong) | [Water/Ice](https://pokee.si/types/water-ice) | Sea Lion Pokémon | a seal (harp seal pups) |
| [Wailord](https://pokee.si/pokemon/wailord) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Float Whale Pokémon | a blue whale |
| [Finizen](https://pokee.si/pokemon/finizen) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Dolphin Pokémon | a dolphin |
| [Magikarp](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magikarp) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Fish Pokémon | an Asian carp |
| [Horsea](https://pokee.si/pokemon/horsea) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Dragon Pokémon | a seahorse |
| [Staryu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/staryu) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Star Shape Pokémon | a starfish |
| [Mantine](https://pokee.si/pokemon/mantine) | [Water/Flying](https://pokee.si/types/water-flying) | Kite Pokémon | a manta ray |
| [Barraskewda](https://pokee.si/pokemon/barraskewda) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Skewer Pokémon | a barracuda and pike |
| [Pyukumuku](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pyukumuku) | [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) | Sea Cucumber Pokémon | a sea cucumber |
| [Klawf](https://pokee.si/pokemon/klawf) | [Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock) | Ambush Pokémon | a hairy crab |

Magikarp looks like an Asian carp, a fish that gets scared easily and can jump 8 to 10 feet out of the water. Bulbapedia also says its open mouth may be a nod to koinobori, the carp-shaped windsocks flown in Japan on Children's Day.

## Reptiles and bugs

[Squirtle](https://pokee.si/pokemon/squirtle) looks like a baby turtle and [Torkoal](https://pokee.si/pokemon/torkoal) like a tortoise. [Ekans](https://pokee.si/pokemon/ekans) is a snake, with rattlesnake and cobra details. [Caterpie](https://pokee.si/pokemon/caterpie) looks like a swallowtail caterpillar.

## Animal plus object

Some designs mix an animal with a thing.

- [Mantine](https://pokee.si/pokemon/mantine) looks like a manta ray, and it may also be based on a fighter plane. The round patterns on its body look like the circles painted on warplanes.
- [Barraskewda](https://pokee.si/pokemon/barraskewda) looks like a barracuda, but also like a spear, and its spinning tail is like a torpedo's propeller.
- [Torkoal](https://pokee.si/pokemon/torkoal) looks like a tortoise, and its shell may be inspired by a kiln, a dome-shaped oven.

## Prehistoric animals

Some Pokémon are inspired by animals that died out long ago.

| Pokémon | Type | Official category | Inspired by (Bulbapedia) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Aerodactyl](https://pokee.si/pokemon/aerodactyl) | [Rock/Flying](https://pokee.si/types/flying-rock) | Fossil Pokémon | a pterosaur |
| [Tyrantrum](https://pokee.si/pokemon/tyrantrum) | [Rock/Dragon](https://pokee.si/types/rock-dragon) | Despot Pokémon | Tyrannosaurus |
| [Lapras](https://pokee.si/pokemon/lapras) | [Water/Ice](https://pokee.si/types/water-ice) | Transport Pokémon | a plesiosaur |
| [Relicanth](https://pokee.si/pokemon/relicanth) | [Water/Rock](https://pokee.si/types/water-rock) | Longevity Pokémon | a coelacanth |

A pterosaur was a flying reptile from the age of the dinosaurs. Bulbapedia notes that pterosaurs are related to dinosaurs but are not counted as dinosaurs. A plesiosaur was a sea reptile, and Lapras may also have been inspired by the Loch Ness Monster, which people say looks like one.

[Relicanth](https://pokee.si/pokemon/relicanth) has a good story. The coelacanth is a fish that scientists thought had died out about 66 million years ago, until one was found in 1938. Animals like that are called living fossils, and Bulbapedia says Relicanth's Rock type reflects this. For more, see the [fossil Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/articles/fossil-pokemon-list).

## Where to go next

Test your eye with [Who's That Pokémon](https://pokee.si/games/whos-that), or try the [quizzes](https://pokee.si/quizzes). If you are not sure how to say Sandshrew or Flamigo, the [pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce) can help.

## Questions people ask

### What animal is Pikachu based on?

A mouse. Bulbapedia says Game Freak's CEO, Satoshi Tajiri, decided to base it on a mouse. Its cheek pouches were inspired by squirrels.

### What real animal is Magikarp based on?

Magikarp looks like it is based on an Asian carp, a fish that is easily frightened and can jump high out of the water.

### Which Pokémon are based on extinct animals?

Aerodactyl looks like a pterosaur, Tyrantrum is based on Tyrannosaurus and Lapras looks like a plesiosaur. Relicanth is based on the coelacanth, a fish once thought to be extinct.

### Are all Pokémon based on animals?

No. Many are inspired by plants, objects, food or myths. Some mix an animal with an object, like Barraskewda, which looks like a barracuda and also like a spear.

### How many Pokémon are Bird Pokémon?

In the pokee.si Pokédex, 15 Pokémon have Bird as their official category, more than any other animal word. Mouse comes next with 13.

## Sources

- [Bulbapedia: Pikachu (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pikachu_(Pok%C3%A9mon))
- [Bulbapedia: Magikarp (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Magikarp_(Pok%C3%A9mon))
- [Bulbapedia: Lapras (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Lapras_(Pok%C3%A9mon))
- [Bulbapedia: Relicanth (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Relicanth_(Pok%C3%A9mon))
- [Bulbapedia: Mantine (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Mantine_(Pok%C3%A9mon))

---

Source: https://pokee.si/articles/pokemon-based-on-real-animals (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.