Nidoran♀ (Pokémon)

This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Nidoran.

**Nidoran♀** (Japanese: **ニドラン♀** *Nidoran♀*) is a Poison-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Nidorina starting at level 16, which evolves into Nidoqueen when exposed to a Moon Stone.

It is related to the Nidoran♂ line and can produce Eggs that contain either Nidoran♀ or Nidoran♂. However, it is the only one of its line that can breed, as Nidorina and Nidoqueen are part of the No Eggs Discovered egg group.

## Biology

Nidoran♀ is a small, quadrupedal, rodent-like Pokémon. It has large, spiny ears; oversized front teeth; red eyes; and a pair of whiskers on each cheek. It is light blue with several darker blue spots. There are two white claws on each of its paws. Its back is covered with small toxic spines, and it has a small forehead horn.

The poisons secreted by the spines and horn are extremely potent, and even a scratch from its horn or a drop of poison from its barbs can be deadly. However, this docile Pokémon only uses its poison when it feels threatened. Nidoran♀is more sensitive to smell than Nidoran♂. It can use its whiskers to check the wind while either searching for berries or to avoid predators. Nidoran♀ can use its incisor teeth for crushing the berries it forages for. Nidoran♀ lives in open spaces, such as savannas and plains. Nidoran♀ is a female-only species.

## Game data

### Game locations

#### In events

 **GSC** | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Sweet Kiss Nidoran♀ | English
 **GSC** | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Moonlight Nidoran♀ | English

### Stats

#### Base stats

* Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
* This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was **40**.

### Learnset

#### By tutoring

 * **Bold** indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nidoran♀
* *Italic* indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Nidoran♀
* Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

## Trivia

* Nidoran was the first Pokémon to feature gender differences, or even any indication of gender at all.
* Despite the addition of genders to most Pokémon starting in Generation II, the two variations of Nidoran remained separate species, rather than a singular species that splits down different evolution paths based on gender.
	+ An Egg laid by a Nidoran♀ does, however, have a chance of hatching into a Nidoran♂, as well as an Egg laid by a Nidoran♂ with a Ditto has a chance of hatching into a Nidoran♀.
* Nidoran♀ is the only Pokémon that loses the ability to breed upon evolution.
* Nidoran♀'s alternate coloration is similar to Nidoran♂'s normal coloration, and vice versa for Nidoran♂.
* Nidoran♀ shares its category name with Nidorina, Nidoran♂, Nidorino, Poipole, and Naganadel. They are all known as the Poison Pin Pokémon.
* Due to the fact that its gender, ♀, is included in its name, checking Nidoran♀'s summary from Generation II onward will display as if it were genderless if it does not have a nickname. If its nickname is anything other than "Nidoran♀", its gender will appear as normal.

### Origin

Nidoran♀ appears to draw inspiration from hamsters, rabbits (perhaps an Amami rabbit, specifically), mice, or porcupines, with aspects of venomous mammals. Anatomically, however, they are arguably most like hyraxes – small, rodent-like mammals that are genetically more closely related to much larger mammals like elephants and manatees featuring thickset bodies with tough hides (similar to Nidorina and Nidoqueen).

#### Name origin

Nidoran♀ may be derived from *needle*. It may also come from *cnidocyte*, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 *ni* (two) or 二度 *nido* (two times/two degrees) referring to the two distinct evolutionary lines with similar names and traits. Also, the Japanese word *ran* is translated as *orchid* in English. Orchids are flowers that can be purple or blue, these being the same colors as the male and female evolutionary forms of Nidoran, respectively. The *♀* is an indication of its female gender.