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 an exclusively male Pokémon, Nidoran♀ being its female counterpart.
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
A Nidoran couple appeared Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?, where they were 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.
Multiple Nidoran♂ appeared in Leading a Stray!, where they were among the Pokémon assisting a Luxio in its efforts to help a Wailmer trapped in the sewers.
Minor appearances
Two Nidoran♂ debuted in Pokémon Fashion Flash as some of the Pokémon seen on Scissor Street.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
Multiple Nidoran♂ appeared in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, where they were among the Pokémon living at Professor Oak's Laboratory. These Nidoran♀ were colored the same way as Shiny Nidoran♂, but they predated the introduction of Shiny Pokémon.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Pikachu's Vacation as one of the Pokémon seen 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.
A pink Nidoran♂ appeared in In the Pink as a resident of Pinkan Island. Team Rocket attempted to capture him and his male counterpart, but they ended up being chased off by a pink Nidoking.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in The Power of One.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in the Japanese credits of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
A Nidoran♂ briefly appeared in The Chikorita Rescue alongside a Nidoran♀.
A Nidoran♂ briefly appeared in Going Apricorn! at Professor Oak's Laboratory, where he was being fed by Tracey.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in A Farfetch'd Tale alongside a Nidoran♀.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in The Fortune Hunters as one of the Pokémon stolen by Butch and Cassidy.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Fangs for Nothin' as an inhabitant of the Dragon Holy Land.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Showdown at the Oak Corral, where he was among the Pokémon living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Multiple Nidoran♂ appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Beg, Burrow and Steal.
A Coordinator's Nidoran♂ appeared in Mean With Envy.
A Coordinator's Nidoran♂ appeared in Hi Ho Silver Wind!.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew as one of the Pokémon 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.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Odd Pokémon Out! as 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.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad. He was among the Pokémon residing in a forest.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in A Watershed Moment! in a flashback.
A Trainer's Nidoran♂ appeared in Alola to New Adventure! during a flashback.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in Loading the Dex! as a silhouette that Rotom brought up.
A Nidoran♂ appeared in I Choose You!. He was among the Pokémon taking shelter from the rain in a cave alongside Entei.
Pokédex entries
In Pokémon Origins
Red used Nidoran♂ during his Gym battle with Brock in File 1: Red.
- Nidoran was the first Pokémon to feature gender differences, or even 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 alternate 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.