Wartortle is a bipedal, indigo Pokémon similar to a turtle. It has brown eyes, a dark blue streak on each cheek, and two sharp teeth protruding from its upper jaw. It has three clawed fingers and pointed toes. On each side of its head are feather-like ears covered in pale blue fur. A brown shell with a pale yellow underside encases its body. A thick, white rim separates the upper and lower halves of the shell. An older Wartortle may have scars and algae growing on its shell. Poking out of the bottom of the shell is a thick, wavy tail that also has light blue fur and cannot be fully withdrawn into its shell. Its tail fur will darken with age. Its tail is a popular symbol of longevity and good luck, making this Pokémon popular with the elderly.
To maintain balance while swimming at high speeds, Wartortle moves its furry ears and tail. Air can be stored in its fur for extended underwater diving. It hides in water when hunting and emerges to surprise its prey. The anime has shown that Wartortle can be found living in colonies on islands, but its preferred habitat seems to be freshwater ponds and lakes. In the past, Skull Bash was its signature move.
A group of Wartortle is part of a firefighting squad led by Captain Aidan. Team Wartortle works alongside Team Squirtle and Team Blastoise depending on which evolutionary form is best for the situation. Ash's Squirtle joined Team Wartortle to prove its strength in The Pokémon Water War. Team Wartortle later went up against the Squirtle Squad — this time with the opponents being led by Ash's Squirtle — in a firefighting competition in The Fire-ring Squad.
A Wartortle appeared in Judgment Day, under the ownership of Jimmy. It eventually evolved into a Blastoise in order to free itself and Jimmy's Ivysaur and Charmeleon from Team Rocket.
Minor appearances
A Wartortle appeared as an image in the Japanese version of The Ultimate Test.
Wartortle, the Turtle Pokémon. The evolved form of Squirtle. A highly sought after Pokémon because its long fur-covered tail is said to bring good luck.
Green had a Wartortle nicknamed Blasty during her first appearance in Wartortle Wars, which evolved from the Squirtle that she stole from Professor Oak. He has since evolved into Blastoise, and became a mainstay in her team ever since.
Often hides in water to stalk unwary prey. For swimming fast, it moves its ears to maintain balance. Its fur covered tail is considered a symbol of longevity.
Its tail is large and covered with a rich, thick fur. The tail becomes increasingly deeper in color as Wartortle ages. The scratches on its shell are evidence of this Pokémon's toughness as a battler.
Its large tail is covered with rich, thick fur that deepens in color with age. The scratches on its shell are evidence of this Pokémon's toughness in battle.
Its tail is large and covered with a rich, thick fur. The tail becomes increasingly deeper in color as Wartortle ages. The scratches on its shell are evidence of this Pokémon's toughness as a battler.
Anime promotional art depicting Wartortle with the same color on its ears and its face
Even though Wartortle's ears are depicted lighter than its face in the official Sugimori stock art and most of its game sprites, early promotional pictures portrayed its ears the same color as its face.
Origin
Wartortle's design appears to be a stylized turtle. Its feathery tail is a reference to Japanese legends of the minogame (蓑亀), a turtle which lived for 10,000 years and grew a tail made of seaweed. The use of its tail to store oxygen seems to be a reference to certain turtles that breathe through their cloaca, placed near the tail.
Name origin
Wartortle is a combination of war or warrior, tortoise, and turtle.
Kameil may be a combination of 亀 kame (tortoise/turtle) and tail. It may also be a corruption of 噛める kameru (to be able to bite).
For other sprites and images, please see Wartortle images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
