Raticate

**Raticate** (ラッタ, *Ratta*) is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I, and a Dark/Normal-type introduced in Generation VII. It is the evolved form of Rattata.

## Biology

### Physiology

#### Kantonian

Compared to Rattata, Raticate is far more of a predator, and the majority of its features are adapted for this purpose. Its most notable feature are its large teeth; like most rodents, Raticate's teeth grow continuously throughout its life, and must be constantly worn down by gnawing. It is also known that Raticate's fangs are tough enough to break through concrete. It has long whiskers and a long tail. Raticate looks like a pudgy rat, just like Rattata. Raticate tends to stand on its hind legs, as opposed to its pre-evolution.

#### Alolan

Raticate in Alola have grown black fur to help camouflage themselves due to their nocturnal nature. They now sport a pair of squinted eyes with red irises and a face with large cream-colored cheeks that have four whiskers below them and two pairs of whiskers sprouting out. A patch on their stomach as well as the inside of their ears is a brown.

### Behavior

Raticate remain just as much a nuisance to homeowners, only more aggressive. Luckily, however, they also live in smaller groups, as large groups Rattata generally split into groups of 8 to 10 or so upon evolution. If a Raticate feels threatened, it will stand on its hind legs and let out a shrill shriek, calling its groupmates to join and defend it. The best way to defend against Raticate in the home is to prevent Rattata from invading in the first place before they evolve. Alternatively, Persian and Purugly can also deal with Raticate.

An Alolan Raticate will exert control over a group of Alolan Rattata that it will send out to search for food. Since these Pokémon are primarily urban, they can find calorie-dense foods much more easily; additionally, since these bosses rarely leave their nests, they do not have to burn much energy on hunting or moving. Alolan Raticate can afford to be very picky about their food because they obtain so much of it, stockpiling the bulk of what their underlings bring in their nests. They have highly developed taste buds that help them discern the freshest items. Ironically, this makes them useful to restaurant chefs, who often employ them in places where their cousins would be seen as pests. Alolan Raticate are fiercely territorial against others of their kind, engaging in 'turf wars' where Alolan Rattata groups fight one another for control. Only when all of its underlings have fallen will an Alolan Raticate emerge to fight on its own. Their webbed feet. a trait they share with their mainland relatives, enable them to swim from island to island with surprising ease.

### Natural abilities

To compensate for its steadily growing teeth, Raticate gnaws on hard things such as buildings, even being able to topple them down when doing so. Also, its webbed feet allow it to swim well when it hunts.

Alolan Raticate live in dens created by Alolan Rattata. They order Rattata to collect food for it, which is stockpiled in the dens. Despite the Rattata's tendency to steal any food, fresh or spoiled, Raticate prefers to eat only the best of the Rattata's stolen goods, usually eating nutrient foods such as Berries.

## Evolution

Raticate evolves from Rattata starting at level 20.