Pokémon Symbiosis

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

You know, I've always wondered...

How come only a Shelder can make a Slowpoke evolve? Why not a Clamperl?
And what happens if you use a Water Stone on a Shelder that's already attached to Slowbro? Would it be a Cloyster instead of a Shelder that's apart of Slowbro now? Would it make a completely new species? The same goes for Slowking, too.

You know, I would have dismissed these questions if Shelder evolved by level, but it needs a Stone. You know how Remoraid attatch themselves to Mantine? Well, I guess they could hitch a ride on a Mantine or evolve for protection. But maybe since Shelder might have trouble evolving, they hitch a ride on Slowpoke for protection?

Now I think I'm rambling lol it was just a thought...

 

[ZoraJolteon]

Since a Shelder's body shape and colour change, it wouldn't be unreasonable for it's reaction with Water Stone based radiation to change too.

 

[fruitsmoothierevenge]

I think it has a lot to do with weight.

Clamperl starts out at being 114 lbs. Shelder is only 9 lbs. Slowpoke, at 73 lbs, definately couldn't drag around a Clamperl on its tail without a lot of difficulty.

 

[The Big Al]

Here's another simbiosis.

I was reading about the Rafflesia (this massive flower that Vileplume is based off of). It's on the verge of extinction because of habitat loss.

What if in the Pokemon world to escape extinction the Raflessia adabted to live off of Gloom (it is a parasite after all) and then blooms when it evolves.

 

[The Dude]

What about Paras and Parasect? The whole creatures are an extreme example of symbiosis. As a Paras, the Mushrooms give nutrients and are just along for the ride. But when they evolve, the mushroom takes over, and the host is no longer master.

 

[Another Fan]

I wouldn't call that symbiosis. It seems like the mushrooms just take energy and nutrients from the bug but give back vey little so I'd call it what the name suggests parasitism.

I think shelder just hook onto slowpoke for the taste of the fluid on the tail. I'm guessing since the pokemon on Slowbro's tail is just a shelder that changed shape to hold onto the tail it would evolve but not as much. It is pretty well suited for were it is now.

 

[endofheartaches]

I wouldn't call that symbiosis. It seems like the mushrooms just take energy and nutrients from the bug but give back vey little so I'd call it what the name suggests parasitism.

Well, the mushrooms do grant the bug host a means of protection in Effect Spore, which can hurt attackers. However, it seems a steep price to pay for such protection, and the mushroom takes over the bug's mind and forces it to seek dark, damp places according to pokedex.

As for Slowpoke, Shellder, and the evolution question, I've wondered that myself. What would happen if you attempted to evolve the Shellder half of Slowbro? I suppose it's anybody's guess. That's what I thought Slowking was the result of when I first saw it.

 

[Roses Ablaze]

My theory is that Shellder's body has changed by that stage so that a Water Stone (that's what normally evolves them, right?) doesn't affect it by then.