Joltik Line
Morphs [Oak Catalogue #]
- Joltik [#595] - Aphonopelma joltus
- Galvantula [#596] - A. galvantus
Physical Description
Joltik and Galvantula are a pair of quadrupedal, arachnid Pokémon with dual Bug and Electric type characteristics that are related to the Spinarak line from Johto. Joltik’s round body is covered in pure yellow hairs apart from the tips of its limbs, which are hairless and blue, with no distinction between its head and body. On its face it has two blue complex eyes, one either side of its face and a small pair of fangs, it also possesses a pair of blue occeli, or simple eyes resting between and slightly above their complex eyes. Upon evolution into Galvantula its head becomes much more pronounced from the rest of its body and its fangs have become much larger as well as it gaining an extra pair of occeli. The underside of its body is now hairless and purple coloured as is the pattern it now has on its back. The four small legs it had as a Joltik are now much longer and are divided into three distinct sections; the blue hairless foreleg, the hairy lower leg and the blue, hairless, spike for a foot. A mass of blue hairs now covers the bottom of its abdomen towards the back which are visible coming up from behind its back.
Joltik holds the record for being the smallest Pokémon known only reaching between 5 and 15cm tall with 10cm being the average and weighing only 400 - 800g which is rather astonishing considering its small size. Upon evolution to Galvantula it grows to around 80cm in height though members as tall as 1m and as small as 50 cm are known to exist. It is important to note that due to possessing only 4 legs it was originally believed that Joltik and Galvantula are not true arachnids. While both the Joltik and Spinarak lines aren't arachnids, they seem to be an arthropod order originating from them, and may even have had a common ancestor that was an arachnid.
Notable Biology
The most notable features of the Joltik line are their extra pairs of eyes. These occeli do not possess retinas and are thus unable to discern shapes and are used purely to detect light levels. As a Galvantula they possess quite amazing dexterity with their fangs, to the point where they are able to use them to hold down prey. While both Joltik and Galvantula possess the large number of electrochemical cells throughout their body one would expect to find in an electric type Pokémon they also possess a large number in their spinnerets which allows them to electrify the silk they produce. They make use of this in their signature move Electroweb though it is possible for Spinarak with a Galvantula for a father to also learn this move. Both morphs also possess venom glads allowing them to use a small number of Poison type moves though most require coaching through a TM to learn.
There are three distinct sub-groups of these Pokémon each showing different distinct traits. The first subgroup possess larger mandibles than most and bigger more prominent markings that are capable of glowing as well as the ability to stand their hairs on end to make themselves seem bigger so as to scare opponents into not eating a berry it is holding, trainers refer to this as the “Unnerve” ability. The second sub-group possess the “Compoundeyes” ability; these members do actually possess retinas within their occeli which allows them to better determine the position of their foes making their moves more accurate. The third and rarest sub-group possess the “Swarm” ability; these members are capable of producing large quantities of adrenaline when in stressful situations so as to boost the strength of its Bug type moves.
As with all Pokémon there are members who possess a rare phenotype that alters their colouring. These members possess a greenish tinge to hairs and purple eyes, occeli and feet as a Joltik and as a Galvantula possess a golden tinge to their hairs with their blue hairs having a slightly darker tinge than normal and grey skin where there is normally purple.
Habitat
Joltik commonly live in caves or in forests though they are also known to live near large cities due to the large quantities of electricity that are present, Chargestone Cave and Nimbasa City in Unova being a favourite area for them. When travelling Joltik prefer to cling onto larger animals for protection rather than travelling in the open where they are easy prey. Upon evolution into Galvantula they prefer to move deeper into the cave or forest where they live and completely abandoning their habit of living near cities. Due to living so deep in these areas Galvantula are unlikely to be encountered by most trainers. Members of these species are unlikely to be encountered outside of the Unova region without the assistance of a Pokémon Professor or professional Pokémon Ranger being employed.
Diet
Both Joltik and Galvantula are largely insectivorous. In the wild Joltik prefer eating small insects that are unlikely to cause problems for the tiny Pokémon though they will also happily eat any berries they may find. Joltik also enjoy eating static electricity, so much so that it is quite common while travelling through Chargestone Cave to see some clinging to the crystals and feeding on the static electricity that builds up within. They feed on this electricity by using their fangs to pierce the crystal or wire etc. and then using them to absorb the electricity by creating what is basically a short- circuit.
As Galvantula they use their electrically- charged webs to capture its prey and will then eat anything smaller than itself and even some that are larger, holding the prey down using its mandibles and either paralysing it or wrapping it in thread after which it will inject a venom capable of dissolving its preys insides which it will then drink. Again Galvantula will also happily eat any berries or electricity it can find. It should also be noted that due to their unique typing Joltik and Galvantula are both capable of easily taking down and eating most flying types that would normally be a potential predator to most Bug types, though this is much more common in Galvantula and even then is usually kept to just small ones like Pidove and Ducklett.
Hazards
The biggest hazards when dealing these Pokémon is their ability to release large doses of electricity and the fact they mostly live in groups of large numbers these combined mean that a trainer can easily be greatly out numbered and easily beaten. Their venom, though relatively weak by Pokémon standards is still potentially life threatening and if bitten it is important to apply a compression bandage as quickly as possible and to immobilise the bitten body site. After this one should get to the nearest Pokémon Centre as quickly as possible to receive anti-venom which is almost always available from such facilities. Health and wildlife authorities suggest having a fire, rock or ground type Pokémon (such as Darumaka, Boldore or Drillbur) walking alongside you when entering an area that is known to have large numbers of Joltik and Galvantula as these Pokémon can deal super-effective damage while resisting at least one type of attacks that may be used against them. Information on the presence of colonies is available at any Pokémon Centre or on the wildlife authorities websites.
Social Structure
Both Joltik and Galvantula enjoy living in groups of large numbers even when the members are completely unrelated. Because of this it is common to see large numbers of Joltik and if you’re lucky Galvantula sharing the same tree or section of cave. It is interesting to note that these groups tend to be made up of just the one sex rather than a mix; the reason for this is unknown.
Courting
While both morphs are capable of breeding, in the wild only Galvantula do so. When ready to mate the males will spin a small mat out of web onto which they release a quantity of semen which they will then absorb into their pedipalps while they search for a mate. Upon finding one the male and female will exchange signals to indicate whether or not they are ready to mate, if both are ready to mate then the male will approach the female and insert his pedipalps into an opening in the lower surface of her abdomen after which the male leaves. Unlike some arachnid species the females rarely ever try to devour the male, only doing so when food is scarce. Upon fertilization the female will lay anywhere from 50-2000 eggs into a silk sac she spins which she then guards for 6-7 weeks after which the baby Joltiks hatch feed off the egg sac and then disperse. It should be noted that in captivity the female forgoes the large quantity of eggs in favour of a single larger egg allowing for a larger baby upon hatching.
Trainers should also note that if they are intending on breeding their Joltik they are required by law, due to their small size, to do so only with Catapie, Metapod, Larvesta and other small bug group Pokémon that are less than 1.2m tall and that heavy fines and possibly jail sentences apply to trainers and day-care centres that allow a Joltik to breed with Pokémon that are any larger.
In Human Society
From ancient times the webs of the Joltik line have been used by the people of Unova as a material for clothes and other textiles, some areas still do so today. Webs harvested from Galvantula can be kept charged, then used as weapons to hunt weak Pokémon- of course while using gloves that make sure that the electricity does not harm the user.
Galvantula are also often in stories, television and movies usually in much the same roles as Ariados. Examples include giant Galvantulas in two of the most successful book and movie franchises ever and a movie involving a group being mutated by nuclear waste and attacking a nearby town. Normal sized ones also appear in two children’s nursery rhymes. More sympathetic examples also exist such as a story about a young Tepig and its friendship with a Galvantula who ends up helping save it from slaughter.
Written by Shadow6666
