In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Wiglett
Wiglett is a long, narrow Pokémon who appears out of a pile of wet sand. Its name is a combination of “Water” and “Diglett”. It is a Water-type Pokémon that vaguely resembles its Ground-type counterpart.
While Diglett is based on a mole, Wiglett is based on a garden eel. These long fish will burrow themselves into the sand and then stretch upwards in order to catch plankton while remaining mostly covered. They can quickly retreat into the burrow if needed, although they don’t have a strong sense of smell. Garden eels can be found in reefs around the Indo-Pacific and surrounding waters.
This Pokémon can pick up the scent of a Veluza just over 65 feet away and will hide itself in the sand.
Though it looks like Diglett, Wiglett is an entirely different species. The resemblance seems to be a coincidental result of environmental adaptation.
Pokédex
Although garden eels may not be able to smell very well, Wiglett does due to its large pink nose. This sense is useful in detecting predators like Veluza.
Wiglett is one of the Pokémon considered ecologically similar. Like Toedscool, this is an example of convergent evolution where two distinct species develop biological similarities.
Wugtrio
After leveling up, Wiglett evolves into Wugtrio. This Pokémon’s name is a combination of “Water” and “Dugtrio”. It becomes three garden eels that are fully pink and live in a piece of igneous rock.
It has a vicious temperament, contrary to what its appearance may suggest. It wraps its long bodies around prey, then drags the prey into its den.
A variety of fish Pokémon, Wugtrio was once considered to be a regional form of Dugtrio.
Pokédex
Wugtrio resembles Dugtrio closely in that it is a triplet that work together in attacking. It has the signature attack Triple Dive, which will strike at the opponent three times.
Conclusion
Toedscool and Wiglett make an interesting pair of Pokémon introduced in Paldea. One is a sea-based Pokémon that has come to land, while the other is a land-based Pokémon that has returned to the sea.
While Wiglett has a simple design, its inspiration of a garden eel is creative and its tie back to an ecologically similar Pokémon makes it stand out.
Let us know what you think in the comments or share your opinions on our forum or in our Discord server!
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