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Caterpie (Japanese: キャタピー, HepburnKyatapii) (CAT-ur-pee[1]) is a Bug-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

Biology[]

Physiology[]

Caterpie concept art

Concept artwork of Caterpie.

Caterpie is a worm-like Pokémon that is mainly green in color with a tan underside. Just below its head are four, tiny legs that are used only for movement. On top of its head is a red, "y-shaped" antenna, which can be used to produce an odor used in self-defense, in case something tries to hurt it.

Behavior[]

Caterpie are known for their great appetites, usually eating many leaves before creating cocoons to evolve. They use self-made silk to both produce cocoons for evolution.

As weak, soft-bodied Pokémon, Caterpie attempt to gather as much energy as possible to hasten their evolutions into Metapod, and afterwards into Butterfree. However, they are not completely defenseless and do have a few tricks up their sleeves. Firstly, the large eyes on their heads can trick and confuse predators into thinking they are dealing with much larger Pokémon. Secondly, the suction pads on their feet allow them to climb nearly any surface and escape from predators. Additionally, Caterpie can use String Shot to slow down their enemies and buy time for escape. Finally, the antennae on their heads release a very noxious odor when disturbed. These defense mechanisms allow Caterpie to thrive in their native habitats, and combined with the large clutch sizes of Butterfree, make them are one of the most common Pokémon trainers encounter in forests.

Special abilities[]

Caterpie has the ability Shield Dust, which negates all status effects that are side effects of other moves. When threatened, it can release a strong odor from its antenna, which it uses to ward off predators. A ravenous Caterpie can quickly gobble up leaves that are much bigger than itself.

Evolution[]

Caterpie evolves into Metapod starting at level 7, which evolves into Butterfree starting at level 10.

Game info[]

Locations[]

Locations
Version(s) Area(s) Rarity
Red and Blue Viridian Forest, Route 25
Route 2, 24(Blue only)
Uncommon(Red)
Common
Yellow Viridian Forest Common
Gold and Silver National Park
Ilex Forest, Route 2, 30, 31, Trees(Gold only)
Bug-Catching Contest(Silver only)
Common(Gold)
Uncommon(Silver)
Crystal Ilex Forest, National Park, Route 2, 24, 25, 30, 31 Rare
Ruby and Sapphire Trade None
FireRed and LeafGreen Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush, Route 2, 24, 25 Rare
Emerald Trade None
Diamond and Pearl Route 204 Dongle (FireRed)
Platinum Eterna Forest, Route 204 Dongle (FireRed)
HeartGold and SoulSilver Route 2, 30, 31, National Park, Ilex Forest, Viridian Forest, Bug-Catching Contest, Headbutt trees Common
Black and White Trade from White (Black only)
Breed Caterpie or Metapod (White Version only)
None
Black 2 and White 2 Trade from White 2 (Black 2 only)
Breed Butterfree (White 2 only)
None
X and Y Santalune Forest Common
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Trade None
Sun and Moon Route 1 Common
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Route 1, Melemele Meadow, Route 5 Common
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Route 2, Viridian Forest Common
Sword and Shield Route 1 (Galar)
Max Raid Battles: Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch
Common

Spin-off game locations[]

Locations
Game(s) Area(s)
Pokémon Channel Viridian Forest
Pokémon Trozei! Phobos Train, Trozei Battle, Endless Level 9, Mr. Who's Den
Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team Wish Cave (2-4F)
Explorers of Time & Explorers of Darkness Apple Woods (1-4F), Oran Forest (1-4F)
Pokémon Rumble Silent Forest
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Meadow Zone


Pokédex entries[]

  • Red and Blue

    Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.

  • Yellow

    If you touch the feeler on top of its head, it will release a horrible stink to protect itself.

  • Gold

    For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.

  • Silver

    Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.

  • Crystal

    It crawls into foliage where it camouflages itself among leaves that are the same color as its body.

  • Ruby

    Caterpie has a voracious appetite. It can devour leaves bigger than its body right before your eyes. From its antenna, this Pokémon releases a terrifically strong odor.

  • Sapphire

    Caterpie has a voracious appetite. It can devour leaves bigger than its body right before your eyes. From its antenna, this Pokémon releases a terrifically strong odor.

  • FireRed

    It is covered with a green skin. When it grows, it sheds the skin, covers itself with silk, and becomes a cocoon.

  • LeafGreen

    Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.

  • Emerald

    Its voracious appetite compels it to devour leaves bigger than itself without hesitation. It releases a terribly strong odor from its antennae.

  • Diamond

    It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • Pearl

    It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • Platinum

    It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • HeartGold

    For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.

  • SoulSilver

    Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.

  • Black

    It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • White

    It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • Black 2

    It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • White 2

    It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • X

    For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.

  • Y

    Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.

  • Omega Ruby

    Caterpie has a voracious appetite. It can devour leaves bigger than its body right before your eyes. From its antenna, this Pokémon releases a terrifically strong odor.

  • Alpha Sapphire

    Caterpie has a voracious appetite. It can devour leaves bigger than its body right before your eyes. From its antenna, this Pokémon releases a terrifically strong odor.

  • Sun

    When attacked by bird Pokémon, it resists by releasing a terrifically strong odor from its antennae, but it often becomes their prey.

  • Moon

    It's easy to catch, and it grows quickly, making it one of the top recommendations for novice Pokémon Trainers.

  • Ultra Sun

    Perhaps because it would like to grow up quickly, it has a voracious appetite, eating a hundred times a day.

  • Ultra Moon

    Its body is soft and weak. In nature, its perpetual fate is to be seen by others as food.

  • Let's Go, Pikachu!

    If you touch the feeler on top of its head, it will release a horrible stink to protect itself.

  • Let's Go, Eevee!

    If you touch the feeler on top of its head, it will release a horrible stink to protect itself.

  • Sword

    For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antenna on its head to drive away enemies.

  • Shield

    Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.

  • Brilliant Diamond

    It releases a stench from its red antennae to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.

  • Shining Pearl

    It releases a stench from its red antennae to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.


Stats[]

Stats
HP
45
Attack
30
Defense
35
Sp. Atk
20
Sp. Def
20
Speed
45
Total
195

Learnset[]

By leveling up[]

LevelingGeneration VIII
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Tackle 40 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Status
9 Bug Bite 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration VII
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Tackle 40 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Status
9 Bug Bite 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration VI
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Tackle 50 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical Tough 4 0 ♥
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Status Clever 2 3 ♥
15 Bug Bite 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical Cute 3 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration V
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Tackle 50 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Status
15 Bug Bite 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration IV
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal
1 Tackle 35 95% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical Tough 3
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Status Smart 2
15 Bug Bite 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical Tough 0
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration III
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Tackle 35 95% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Tough 4 0 ♥
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Smart 2 3 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration II
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type
1 Tackle 35 95% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration I
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type
1 Tackle 35 95% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal
1 String Shot 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

By TM/HM[]

Generation VIII
Machine Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
TM82 Electroweb Type Electric Special 55 95% 15
Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Caterpie learns no moves via TM/HM.

By breeding[]

Caterpie learns no moves via breeding.


By tutoring[]

Tutoring Generation VII
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
Bug Bite USUM 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
Electroweb USUM 55 95% 15 Type Electric HOME Electric Special
Snore USUM 55 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Tutoring Generation VI
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
Bug Bite ORAS 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical Cute 3 0 ♥
Electroweb ORAS 55 95% 15 Type Electric HOME Electric Special Beautiful 2 1 ♥
Snore ORAS 50 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special Cute 3 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Tutoring Generation V
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
Bug Bite  60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
Electroweb  55 95% 15 Type Electric HOME Electric Special
Snore  40 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Tutoring Generation IV
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal
Bug Bite HGSS 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical Tough 0
Snore  40 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special Cute 3
String Shot HGSS 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Status Smart 2
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Sprites[]

Appearances[]

Anime[]

Though Caterpie has quite a few cameos, the only time one of the main characters owned one was when Ash had caught a Caterpie in the episode Ash Catches a Pokémon, being the first Pokémon he ever caught. During the same episode, Caterpie evolved into a Metapod. A few episodes later, his Metapod evolved into a Butterfree.

Trivia[]

  • Caterpie, along with Weedle and Wurmple, take the least amount of levels to evolve, only needing 7.
  • Caterpie shares the same species name with Wurmple, being called the Worm Pokémon.
  • Caterpie has the same cry as Goldeen's in the Generation 1 and 2 games, probably because of the Game Boy's limited space.
  • Caterpie is the first Pokémon to be seen evolving in the anime.

Origin[]

Caterpie is a stylized caterpillar, most resembling an Asian swallowtail. Its "antenna" is an osmeterium, an organ unique to swallowtail caterpillars which, like Caterpie, they use to emit a foul odor. The tip of Caterpie's tail resembles the horn at the rear end of most species of hawk moth larvae.

Etymology[]

Caterpie's name appears to be based on caterpillar.

Gallery[]

See also[]

  1. ^ Silvestri, Cris (2015). Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook [Book]. p. 60. Scholastic. ISBN 978-0-545-79566-1.
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