Physiology
Raticate are much larger than Rattata, are mostly tawny in color with a lighter-colored underside, and although they are still classified as quadrupedal Raticate typically walk on two legs. Like Rattata, Raticate’s most prominent feature is its very large incisor teeth that grow quickly. Three rows of whiskers extend from its muzzle, which it uses to maintain balance. They also possess webbed feet, which can enable them to swim. Raticate has a much more rat-like tail than Rattata, being long, scaled, and bare, and its ears are more ragged in shape.
Gender differences
Females have shorter whiskers and their fur is a lighter color.
Special abilities
Raticate have teeth that are strong enough to gnaw through steel. They can swim, and they also have the ability to intimidate their foes (although they cannot have the actual Ability).
Behavior
Raticate are a bit more aggressive than Rattata, due to its bigger size. If attacked, it stands up on its hind legs, bares its fangs and shrieks in an intimidating manner at its enemy. They need something to gnaw on such as rocks or logs or their teeth may grow too much. They are willing to take on larger foes if provoked enough. Raticate searches wide areas for food, and the webbing on its hind legs enable it to cross rivers. As Raticate uses its whiskers to maintain balance, it will apparently slow down if they are cut off.
Habitat
Raticate naturally live in plains and savannas, however, like Rattata, it can be found almost anywhere there's food. It is a common sight in Kanto, Johto and Sinnoh, and can also be found in Unova.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
Raticate are omnivores in the truest sense, in that they are able to subsist on almost anything edible. Their webbed feet enable them to hunt for prey in rivers, however.
Major appearances
On the S.S. Anne, Ash traded his Butterfree for a Raticate in Battle Aboard the St. Anne but traded back as the boat was sinking still in the same episode.
Cassidy has a Raticate that for a time served in her and Butch's motto the role that Meowth serves in the motto of Jessie and James. It has appeared in The Breeding Center Secret, The Fortune Hunters and The Ole' Berate and Switch.
Other
In Showdown at Dark City, Raticate is one of the Pokémon belonging to one of the Trainers at Kas Gym.
Mollie has a Raticate she used during the appeals round of the Gardenia Town Contest in What I Did for Love.
Minor appearances
A Raticate was seen in a Pokémon Center in Sparks Fly for Magnemite.
A Raticate was used in a Pokémon Race during The Flame Pokémon-athon!.
A Raticate appeared in A Chansey Operation, where it was one of the injured Pokémon brought to the clinic.
A Raticate appeared competing in a tournament in Princess vs. Princess.
A Raticate appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.
A few Raticate were seen in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, living at Professor Oak's laboratory, along with many other Pokémon.
A Raticate appeared in Lights, Camera, Quack-tion, as part of the cast for the movie "Pokémon in Love".
A Raticate under the ownership of a Trainer, appeared in Round One - Begin!, during the Indigo League.
A Raticate under the ownership of an unknown Trainer, appeared in Friends to the End, during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo League.
A differently colored Raticate appeared in Poké Ball Peril, although it is not Shiny.
Ralph and Emily were both shown in a flashback to have once owned a Raticate each in Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?.
Raticate also appeared in The Power of One.
In Chikorita's Big Upset, a Trainer used a Raticate to fight against Ash's Chikorita.
Two Raticate were among the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Tricks of the Trade.
A Raticate appeared in a flashback in The Light Fantastic.
A Raticate was one of the Pokémon living at Temacu's father's lab in The Heartbreak of Brock.
A Raticate also appeared in Celebi: Voice of the Forest.
In Extreme Pokémon!, a Raticate appeared with its Trainer, participating in the Extreme Pokémon Race.
A Raticate was seen in the wild in The Legend of Thunder!.
Multiple Raticate appeared in the opening of Destiny Deoxys.
A Raticate appeared in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew living in the Tree of Beginning.
A Raticate appeared in the opening scenes of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Origin
It most resembles a muskrat, a semi-aquatic rodent, due to the large teeth, whiskers, fur, and body shape. The scruffy ears look like those of a Guinea pig. Its webbed feet are very similar to the coypu, a South American rodent.
Name origin
Raticate seems to be either a combination of rat and eradicate (to destroy or exterminate) or just a corruption of eradicate. The latter part could also be derived from masticate (to chew), relating to its mouth and teeth.
Ratta is likely derived from rat.