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A Turtwig tired from thirst, with its seedling wilting
Turtwig is a small, light green, quadrupedal Pokémon resembling a turtle or tortoise. Its eyes, feet, and lower jaw are yellow. Its body is covered by a brown shell that is composed of earth. The shell has a thick black stripe and a black rim. On a very healthy Turtwig, the shell should feel moist. A small seedling grows on a brown patch on its head. This seedling will wilt if the Pokémon becomes thirsty.
Since it is a plant-based Pokémon, Turtwig usually nourishes itself through photosynthesis; it becomes more energetic when exposed to enough sunlight. It also drinks water, which hardens its soil-based shell. Due to its status as a starter Pokémon, a wild Turtwig is hard to come by and it is generally found under the ownership of Trainers. It has been recently seen living in the Terarium of Blueberry Academy.
Evolution
Turtwig evolves into Grotle, which evolves into Torterra
Paul's starter Pokémon was a Turtwig, which eventually fully evolved into a Torterra. It appeared as a Turtwig in a flashback with Paul in A Pyramiding Rage!, where it was watching Reggie battle Brandon.
Other
Turtwig debuted in Following a Maiden's Voyage! as one of the starter Pokémon that Professor Rowan was giving out. It had a relaxed nature, ate almost the whole time, and was oblivious to the fight going on between Chimchar and Piplup. However, it appeared to be afraid of Rowan, as seen when it panicked after he glared at it.
In DPS01, Professor Rowan presented a Turtwig to Shinko as one of the starter Pokémon for her to pick. It was left behind after Rowan's Chimchar and Piplup got into a fight and escaped his lab.
"A Tiny Leaf Pokémon. Despite its animal appearance, Turtwig actually has vegetation sprouting from its head. The shell on its back is made of soil and hardens when it drinks water. Much like a plant, Turtwig performs photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight and making oxygen. It also relies heavily on water to keep its plant healthy and thus spends a lot of time near lakes. Turtwig evolves into Grotle."
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
This Pokémon becomes more energetic the more sunlight there is. The part resembling a shell is similar to silt and is slightly damp and warm to the touch.
Turtwig seems to be based on a terrestrial turtle, possibly one of the Asian box turtles. In concept, it may be based on the World Turtle from various mythologies that carries the world upon its back.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.