Morphs [Oak Catalog #]
Notable BiologyTangela is very vulnerable without any vines, meaning it goes to great lengths to stop anyone or anything from removing the vines. As such, most trainers will never see what Tangela looks like under them. They often remain perfectly still for hours, camouflaging themselves as a small bush in order to attract prey. If discovered, however, they will move and shift their vines non-stop in an effort to confuse and distract predators. Any vines which are severed grow back quickly, meaning Tangela will not hesitate to sacrifice a vine in order to escape. Like Yanmega, Tangrowth is believed to be significantly older than Tangela, and was thought to be extinct until some were discovered in a remote rainforest. Tangrowth’s behavior and biology is very similar to Tangela’s in many respects, but Tangrowth also uses its long arms to grab any prey which is within its reach, unlike the less aggressive Tangela. It is also worth noting that Tangrowth’s vines grow much faster than Tangela’s.
HabitatTangela are fairly common in forested areas in Johto where the bushes they mimic are plentiful, but appear only rarely in other regions. Only a few Tangrowth have been seen in the wild, but all sightings have been deep within rainforests.
DietTangela is mostly insectivorous, but also is capable of photosynthesis. They have also been known to attempt to eat small mammals or birds in times of desperation. Tangrowth are much less picky, and will eat anything small enough that happens to wander within reach of its arms.
HazardsTangela are fairly docile; their first reaction to an apparent threat is to hide, or, if that fails, attempt to intimidate and deflect foes using their vines by moving them wildly. However, if provoked they will lash out violently, using their vines as rather effective whips. Tangrowth are aggressive and unstable, and should therefore be approached carefully. Their vines are a good deal stronger, longer and faster than Tangela's, easily able to cause serious injury. Additionally, small moving objects, such as Pokemon, electronics, or even children, should not be allowed near Tangrowth, as it will attempt to eat them, though that is sometimes equally harmful to the Tangrowth.
Courting and ChildrearingFemale Tangela enter ‘heat’ once a year, secreting a special pheromone which alert any male Tangela that may be nearby that they are ready to mate. The competing male Tangela extend their vines as far as they can in an attempt to both intimidate each other and impress the female. Baby Tangela are commonly hidden underneath a bush and abandoned. The mating habits of Tangrowth have not been observed, as so few have been found.
Social StructureTangela are mostly solitary, but are not particularly territorial either. It’s not uncommon to find two or more Tangela sheltering under the same tree, with little to no communication with each other. Tangrowth are much more territorial, and will quickly chase out anything too large to eat that enters its territory. A presumed exception is made for potential mates, but this has never been observed.
Written by Gilphon.