If that was the case, then more Female Zorua would exist.

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er, woops, mixed up female and male there...

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For the starter Pokemon, maybe the Professors try to control the gender of the babies to prevent other people from trying to create fake labs...or something?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

I really want to continue this discussion, but mom's dragging me somewhere.

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However, gender ratios apply to birth rates, rather that to adult populations...

Mmm, lethal mutation in the genome that doesn't affect males, but only lets 25% of all females complete embryological development? And, at the same time, it has to be able to be transmited... Let me thing of a genetic mechanism for mammal-like 7:1 raters; then make a reverse version for bird and lizard-like ones. Totodile and the turtles can be explained by nest temperature.

I still think that the starters' genders are controlled by the labs for one reason or another.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Maybe the weird gender ratios are a product of breeding in captivity, while natural birthrates are a tad bit less skewed. Like I've said before, some weird shit goes on in those day care centers.

Sorry, I can't hear you from my FLYING METAL BOX!

Then come how, when you breed them, you get seven males per female? You gotta explain this one. EDIT: Counterpoint ninja'd.

edited 25th Mar '11 11:09:55 AM by Eriorguez

Why would the rates be different in captivity? And why only for those Pokemon?

edited 25th Mar '11 11:10:31 AM by memyselfandI2

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

It's a big conspiracy, and the daycare couple are in on it! The ratio is actually 1:1, but they only give you 1 out of every 7 female eggs.

edited 25th Mar '11 11:12:13 AM by Blissey1

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O_O

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

I know the in-game reason is because they're 'gift' pokémon, and they don't want you to breed them because they're... Gifts. Yeah.

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The reason why things are different is because the a controlled environment of a breeding facility is far, far, removed from the Pokemon's natural habitat. That can have myriad of unforeseen effects on birthrate, gender ratio, or even what the baby is. Case in point, certain species will not produce the "baby" morph in captivity with out the influence of incenses.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Pandas have trouble breeding in captivity. It could be similar to that.

Sorry, I can't hear you from my FLYING METAL BOX!

Ah. That makes sense.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

actually, pandas have trouble breeding period. They have like no sex drive at all. That's why they're endangered.

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Vanillite Line

Morphs [Oak Catalog #]

• Vanillite [#582]
• Vanillish [#583]
• Vanilluxe [#584]

Notable Biology

The Vanillite Line is a species of Ice-type Pokemon native to the mountains of the Unova region. The first form, known as Vanillite, is about a foot in height with a rather large, swirled head, blue eyes, and two stubby limbs on a body resembling an ice cream cone. Due to their tendency to freeze themselves upside down to ceilings, people once believed that Vanillite were actually born from icicles. Despite their appearance, Vanillite are actually composed of colonies of a microorganism that incorporates trace amounts of the mysterious compound Regicite in their bodies along with ice, though the strength of this Regicite is of a much lower grade than the kind that comprises Regice's body.

Some of these microorganisms form a sac deep inside Vanillite and its evolutions that serves as a cryo-sac. This cryo-sac allows Vanillite to produce freezing vapors of nearly 60 degrees below zero. Due to their Regicite, they can incorporate ice and snow from their surroundings for use in fixing their ice shells if they get damaged in some manner. [[Trainer's Note: Occasionally, there are Vanillite born that can move faster if their shells are broken, but take a much longer time for the shell to heal.]]

For movement, Vanillite and its evolutions float using a form of telekinesis that is localized to only work on their bodies. Trainers can utilize their limited Psychic abilities to create Light Screen, and they can learn Mirror Coat naturally. The Vanillite Line can also use their crystalline bodies as a lens to shoot blasts of light. With the use of TMs, Trainers can teach these Pokemon the devasting Steel-type technique Flash Cannon.

The second form, Vanillish, still looks like an ice cream cone, but they stand two feet taller than Vanillsh and have pointier bottoms. Their cryo-sacs are more highly developed, allowing them to use more powerful techniques such as Ice Beam, and older Vanillish are capable of using their cryokinetic powers to create massive hailstorms, though their normal recourse against most foes is to hide within fog created by their icy breath.

The final form, Vanilluxe, stands about a foot taller than Vanillish, and has grown a second head, as well as a tube resembling a straw, giving it the appearance of a double scoop of vanilla ice cream. While rather easygoing, if attacked or angered they can attack enemies with blizzards expelled from the tube on the right head. Older Vanilluxe are also capable of shooting the blast of absolute zero known as Sheer Cold, though they prefer not to use this except as a last resort.

As an interesting note, Vanillite and its evolutions tend to be very artistic, using their cryokinetic powers to create beautiful ice sculptures of their surroundings. This is done through pinpoint control of their Ice Beam technique and highly developed eyesight. This often comes into play when attracting mates (See Courting and Childrearing).

[[Trainer's Note: Occasionally, Vanillite can be born with purple "cones" instead of the normal blue. These Pokemon are highly prized by collectors.]]

Habitat

The Vanillite line is found mainly in northern mountainous and snowy regions, due to their need to maintain their ice shells. They will also inhabit the area around human buildings that exude cold temperatures, such as the Cold Storage building in Driftveil City. At one time they could be found in more southerly locales, but the retreat of the glaciers forced their migration further north.

Diet

Vanillite and its evolutions mainly eat plants such as mountain grasses and moss, and will also eat lichens. They also eat microorganisms filtered from the water they drink and will accept treats of Popsicles or ice cream from their Trainers.

Hazards

While the Vanillite Line are very friendly if not antagonized, often approaching humans of their own free will, they do have their dangers. For example, Vanillite and its evolutions have surface temperatures as cold as the breath they exude, so precautions must be taken to avoid severe frostbite from touching them.

Another is due to their shape. Despite their appearance, they are not ice cream cones and attempting to eat one is not a very good idea. Once a drunk man spotted a Vanilluxe and tried to suck from its tube. The Vanilluxe panicked and the man died from being frozen inside-out. Luckily, these are freak occurrences and they are safe to keep around older children as long as you've explained the necessary precautions for dealing with them.

Probably the most serious danger is that of an angered Vanilluxe swarm creating a massive hailstorm, blizzard, or avalanche. For this reason, on the rare occasion that one has to deal with a swarm, you must move very slowly as to not disturb the Pokemon. [[Trainer's Note: Vanillite can use Avalanche, but they're more likely to use it just to prank you by burying you under three feet of snow.

Due to their ice shells and lower grade Regicite, it is not recommended to have them outside in arid regions such as Orre. Though they can withstand shorter periods of large amounts of heat, such as that from a Fire-type Pokemon, over a long period of time they can suffer catastrophic damage to their internal systems.

Courting and Childrearing

Mating is done in the winter and is participated in by Vanillish and Vanilluxe. Mature Vanillite can also do it, but it is a rare occurrence outside of captivity due to their relatively underdeveloped cryo-sacs. During the mating season, male Vanillish or Vanilluxe will create ice sculptures of themselves and the female they're interested in. The female decides her mate by the quality of the sculptures, and she happens to be a very harsh critic due to their species naturally sharp eyesight.

Once she's found a male with a suitable sculpture, they will go into a nearby cave and mate by releasing sperm and eggs into the air. These gametes have organelles that allow them to fly through the air. Soon after fertilization, the zygotes fall to the ground, and the parents freeze the area around the eggs. They will then viciously guard it against any intruders until the eggs hatch. Once the egg hatches, the microorganisms inside take over the ice and transforms it into a Vanillite. The parents and hatchlings form a family unit until the young are close to evolving, at which point they leave.

Surprisingly, Vanillite are one of the few types of Pokemon that will breed with Pokemon outside of their immediate line without being coerced, though they tend to do it mainly with their Cryogonal cousins. There is one case of a researcher's Vanilluxe and Boldore falling in love as well.

Social Structure

Apart from their family groups, the Vanillite line normally either lives alone or in groups of five. Rarely, they can form very large swarms around a large enough food source or hang around other species of Pokemon such as Cryogonal not interested in them as food or Roggenrola. The differences in temperament between Vanillite and the latter species can create rather hilarious anecdotes.

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Written by rmctagg09

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edited 28th Mar '11 8:59:22 AM by rmctagg09

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

I think I'm going to get cranking on the Zorua Article now. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it today.

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Go Jane go!

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

the only issue I have with it is the whole releasing sperm and eggs into the air thing. It works for fish cause they're in water, a medium that can fairly easily ensure mixing of egg and sperm outside the body. However, Vanilluxe are likely floating up in the air, so unless the eggs/sperm float as well, I just don't see it working.

maybe they freeze an area first and then deposit the eggs/sperm into the ice?

Other than that, looks great! I'm glad you were able to use so much of the stuff from the chat.

edited 25th Mar '11 12:13:41 PM by Blissey1

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I decided to add that the gametes have organelles that made them capable of floating in the air.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

"Frozen from the inside out."

That sounds incredibly painful. Great article.

EDIT: I'm going to add the Baltoy line to my queue.

edited 25th Mar '11 1:07:59 PM by memyselfandI2

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Pollen is plant sperm. There are millions of plant species which use wind propagation.

and Vanillish are not plants. Nor do plants release eggs for pollination.

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Yeah. It is a living piece of ice. Its fertilization can be as weird as possible.

Ah, good article. (Though as far as microorganism colonies go, they seem closest to slime molds what with the ability to form complex structures like brains...)

Gender ratio: Yes, humans (and I assume other mammals) birth more males than females, which I understand to be due to the lighter Y chromosome giving male sperm a slight speed boost. Still, this doesn't work very well when the discrepancy is as extreme as 7 male:1 female... possibly it could work if sex determination involved three chromosomes or something. Then females would be XXXXXX, while males could be XYXXXX, XYXYXX, or XYXYXY. (plus permutations). That would mean the gender ratio would be different depending on the father, though... I'd need to run simulations...

The Mama Bear thing might explain such a difference in wild Zoroark (still, 6/7 moms die? ), but we only have official ratios for captive breeding, which would hopefully be a much safer environment.

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?