Popo

Large-bodied herbivores with curling tusks. They dwell in cold places where their thick, shaggy fur provides vital insulation. In spite of all the hair hanging over their face they can still see perfectly well!

Popo were first introduced in Monster Hunter 2 (PS2, 2006).

**The following information is all non-canonical and presented in the context of *Monster Hunter Verge*.** To learn about this monster's portrayal in the *official canon* please refer to materials published by Capcom or visit the **Monster Hunter Wiki**!

## Ethology

Popo are social, herd dwelling, low grazing herbivores that fill an ecological niche analogous to Herd Wyverns like Aptonoth. They behave very similarly in most regards, gathering in large numbers to watch over their vulnerable young and increase the survivability of each individual member while also constantly meandering to feed.

The most notable difference between the lifestyles of Popo and Herd Wyverns is their reproductive strategies. Popo are Beasts (mammals) and so their females give live birth and nurture their young with milk after carrying them for an extensive gestation period. This strategy does make Popo mothers more vulnerable, especially in the later months of their pregnancy, but overall the effect on their species is positive: Popo calves are developed enough at birth to walk, see clearly, and survive at least average tundra temperatures on their own, and so while they do require additional care they still enter life with a major head-start.

Having evolved in the most frigid and desolate of all possible environments Popo need every advantage in life they can get. Their chosen habitat in the Verge, the Shivering Strait, is a wet and windy region infamous for its harsh nights and harsher winters. Infant Popo cannot survive these conditions all on their own and must huddle up to their mothers to maintain a healthy body temperature. This is because calves, while covered in hair all over, have only one layer of fur while adults have two: a woolly undercoat which retains shed body heat and a tougher, longer overcoat which repels wind and rain. Without a fully developed two-layer coat Popo calves are not fully insulated and run a high risk of dying from pneumonia or exposure without aid from their herd.

## Range

Tundra specialists through and through, Popo are a constant sight only in polar climes. The Shivering Strait is the Verge's only Guild-approved hunting ground to have a local population.

## Attacks

Popo are docile beasts that can usually be approached without any concern. They're also used to being threatened by predators many times their own size and so have a propensity for fleeing rather than fighting. That being said, Popo are also not incapable of defending themselves. Large bulls especially can become quite agitated if members of their herd are threatened.

Popo have three attacks:

* Shove. Popo may collide with hunters as they run by, knocking them on their butts.
* Tusk Toss. A stationary attack only used by extra large Popo (males). They swing their head side to side, uppercutting anything that gets too close. Easy to avoid, fairly potent for a "small monster" attack, and most important of all: can fling hunters straight up into the air! Once they fall back to earth they must do a full laying down / getting up animation as if struck by a large monster attack, leaving them very vulnerable!
* Stomp. A situational attack which may be performed against players who are stunned or knocked down. Adult Popo of any sex/size may rear up on their hind legs and stomp down with their front feet, sending any unlucky player caught by them tumbling a short distance. Average damage for a "small monster" attack.

## Trivia

* Full grown Popo now drop medium monster bones. Small bones are rarer but can be carved from juveniles.