Ampharos

[FabuVinny]

Mareep and Flaaffy are both based on sheep, but what is Ampharos?

A recent addition to Bulbapedia called it "kangaroo-like", but Kangaroos have pouches and can jump.

 

[Another Fan]

Yeah, I think that not all pokemon are based on real-world animals and should be compared to them really. Lots of pokemon seem to be just based on concepts like wobbuffet, xatu and ampharos.

Ampharos is just based on light and guiding lights. That is why it is tall and electric and has a bulb on its tail. Obviously.

And just because it may have similarities I would not call it the "whatever animal it looks like" pokemon or something like that. I rather enjoy pokemon that are more interesting than that.

 

[Ben Kingsley Shuckle]

Ampharos looks like one of those Plesciosauruses.

 

[Kater]

Well, its got stripes like a zebra but looks like a kangaroo. it is now known as Ampharos, The Zebroo.

 

[Jukain]

Actually, it may not be that much of a stretch if you try to imagine Flaaffy with no wool left whatsoever, except that Ampharos's neck is much longer and it has much better developed legs. It's those flipper arms that are so vexing, though, but they still somewhat resemble Flaaffy's stubby arms.

Some people are of the belief that it is a dragon, as per its JP name, Denryuu, but that can be both translated as electric current and electric dragon. I think my theory is more plausible, though. It's just a slightly deformed naked sheep.

I'm sure this will go down in history as one of the many other pokemon that no one can agree on what it is.

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Ampharos is my absolute favorite Electric Pokémon! *hugs an Ampharos*

"Ampharos is just based on light and guiding lights. That is why it is tall and electric and has a bulb on its tail."

I agree that it is based very much upon guiding lights. It's physical characteristics show that.

When Mareep evolves into Flaaffy, some of its wool disappears. This is probably because Mareep is covered in thick wool which holds massive amounts of static electricity, allowing Flaaffy to be able to store more electricity in its body, rather than keep it on its wool. When Flaaffy evolves into Ampharos, it doesn't need any wool to help store or get electricity, because it is capable of storing so much electricity from being surrounded by it in its first two stages. It then can therefore focus that electricity into the bulbs on its head and tail, allowing it to emit a brilliant and extreme light. This is also probably why its neck, legs, and arms extend, so that it can shine its light effectively.

But that's just my take on it. I still love Ampharos no matter what it is!