Whirlipede is an insectoid Pokémon encased in a hard, segmented shell. It has two pairs of gray, horn-like feelers with dark gray stripes, with one pair extended upward from its front and the other pointing downward from its lower rear. Two poisonous barbs flank either side of each segment of its shell. The shell itself is gray, with red rings in the middle of each segment and a darker gray border circling its open center. Whirlipede's eyes can be seen within the center, and have slitted pupils, yellow sclerae, and thick, gray eyelids. Whirlipede remains motionless while storing energy for evolution, but will move to stab approaching predators with its poisonous spikes. If attacked, it can quickly spin its body like a wheel and crash furiously into opponents.
In Generation V, Whirlipede and its evolutionary relatives have Quick Feet instead of Speed Boost as their Hidden Ability. If a Whirlipede with Quick Feet is transferred from Generation V to Generation VI using the Poké Transporter, its Ability will become Speed Boost.
Whirlipede, like its category states, is based on a centipede. However, its rolled up appearance and color scheme is more similar to that of a woodlouse or pill millipede (arthropods that will curl up into a ball when in danger). It also resembles a car tire.
Name origin
Whirlipede is a combination of whirl and centipede or millipede.
Wheega is a combination of wheel and 毬 iga (sphere).