Nidoran♂ is a small, quadruped rodent-like Pokémon. It is pinkish purple with darker patches. It has large, spiny ears with teal insides, oversized front teeth, and red eyes. Its back is covered with three lines of large spines that can release potent poisons if threatened. The center line of spines is taller than the other two. The size of the long, pointed horn on its forehead is indicative of the strength of its venom. Nidoran♂ is a male-only species.
Nidoran♂ constantly listens for the sounds of approaching enemies with its large ears. Said ears have unique muscles that allow them to be moved in any direction, and even the slightest sound does not escape Nidoran♂'s notice. In order to listen to distant locations, it flaps its ears like wings. When angry, it extends its toxic spikes and charges, stabbing with its horn to inject poison. Nidoran♂ lives in open spaces, such as savannas and plains.
In the main series
Major appearances
In Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?, a Nidoran couple was in love with one another, much to the dismay of their Trainers, who hated one another. After the battle with Team Rocket, upon which she kissed Emily's Nidoran♀, Ralph's Nidoran♂, nicknamed Tony, evolved into a Nidorino.
In Leading a Stray!, multiple Nidoran♂ assisted a Luxio in its efforts to help a Wailmer trapped in the sewers.
Minor appearances
In Pokémon Fashion Flash, two Nidoran♂ were on Scissor Street.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, multiple Nidoran♂ were living at Professor Oak's Laboratory. These Nidoran♀ were colored the same way as Shiny Nidoran♂, but they predated the introduction of Shiny Pokémon.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Nidoran♂ was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
A Trainer's Nidoran♂ appeared in Bad to the Bone.
A Valencia Island variant of Nidoran♂ appeared in Poké Ball Peril.
In In the Pink, a pink Nidoran♂ was a resident of Pinkan Island. Team Rocket attempted to capture him and his female counterpart, but they ended up being chased off by a pink Nidoking.
In The Power of One, a Nidoran♂ sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in the Japanese credits of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in The Chikorita Rescue alongside a Nidoran♀.
In Going Apricorn!, a Nidoran♂ was fed by Tracey at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in A Farfetch'd Tale alongside a Nidoran♀.
In The Fortune Hunters, a Nidoran♂ was stolen by Butch and Cassidy.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
In Fangs for Nothin', a Nidoran♂ was an inhabitant of the Dragon Holy Land.
In Showdown at the Oak Corral, a Nidoran♂ was living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Multiple Nidoran♂ appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.
In Beg, Burrow and Steal, a Nidoran♂ was a resident of an underground paradise.
A Coordinator's Nidoran♂ appeared in Mean With Envy.
A Coordinator's Nidoran♂ appeared in Hi Ho Silver Wind!.
In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, multiple Nidoran♂ were living in the Tree of Beginning.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in The Green Guardian.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Off the Unbeaten Path.
A Coordinator's Nidoran♂ appeared in Harley Rides Again.
In Odd Pokémon Out!, a Nidoran♂ was a resident of Camomile Island.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Not on MY Watch Ya Don't!.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1). Two additional Nidoran♂ appeared in the follow-up episode.
Multiple Nidoran♂ made a cameo in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Cilan's demonstration in Mystery on a Deserted Island!, where he evolved into a Nidoking.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Grooming Furfrou!.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in a flashback or a fantasy in The Forest Champion!.
Multiple Nidoran♂ appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction as residents of Allearth Forest.
In Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad, a Nidoran♂ residing in a forest.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in a flashback in A Watershed Moment!.
A Trainer's Nidoran♂ appeared in a flashback in Alola to New Adventure!.
In I Choose You!, a Nidoran♂ was taking shelter from the rain in a cave alongside Entei.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in a flashback in Enter Pikachu!.
In JN020, Goh caught a Nidoran♂ during a Pokémon Orienteering competition. It reappeared in JN023.
Pokédex entries
In Pokémon Origins
In File 1: Red, a Nidoran♂ was seen in Professor Oak's introduction, while another was under the ownership of Red. Red used his Nidoran♂ during his Gym battle with Brock.
- Nidoran was the first Pokémon to feature gender differences, or even any indication of gender at all.
- Despite the addition of genders in all Pokémon starting in Generation II, the two variations of Nidoran remained separate species, rather than a singular species that splits down different evolution paths based on gender.
- When an Egg is produced from Nidoran and Ditto parents, the gender ratio of the Egg favors the gender of the non-Ditto parent by an unknown margin.
- A Nidoran♀ Egg has a chance of hatching into a Nidoran♂ when bred with a non-Nidoran♂ compatible father.
- Nidoran♂'s Shiny coloration is similar to Nidoran♀'s normal coloration. The same goes for Nidoran♀ .
- Nidoran♂ shares its category name with Nidorino, Nidoran♀, Nidorina, Poipole, and Naganadel. They are all known as the Poison Pin Pokémon.
- Due to the fact that its gender, ♂, is included in its name, checking Nidoran♂'s summary from Generation II onward will display as if it were genderless if it does not have a nickname. If its nickname is anything other than "Nidoran♂", its gender will appear as normal.
- Nidoran♂ is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 273.
Origin
Nidoran♂ appears to draw inspiration from hamsters, rabbits, mice, or – given their aggressive nature towards one another – porcupines, with aspects of venomous mammals. However, anatomically they are arguably most like hyraxes – small, rodent-like mammals that are genetically more closely related to much larger mammals like elephants and manatees featuring thickset bodies with tough hides (similar to Nidorino and Nidoking).
Name origin
Nidoran♂ may be derived from needle. It may also come from cnidocyte, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 ni (two) or 二度 nido (two times/two degrees) referring to the two distinct evolutionary lines with similar names and traits. Also, the Japanese word ran is translated as orchid in English. Orchids are flowers that can be purple or blue, these being the same colors as the male and female evolutionary forms of Nidoran, respectively. The ♂ is an indication of its male gender.