Mudkip

Mudkip (Japanese: ミズゴロウ Mizugorou) is the -type Starter Pokémon of the Hoenn region, introduced in Generation III.

Physiology
Mudkip are small blue Pokémon, each with a large fin on their head that allows them to sense movements within the air and water, acting as a radar. While in the water, they use the orange, spiky gills on their cheeks to breathe while using their large tail fin to propel themselves.

Behavior
When sleeping, they bury themselves within the soil at the edge of the water. Mudkip and members of its evolution family dwell in swamps or other wetlands, deep inside isolated islands, due to their dislike of freshwater lakes and ponds.

Special abilities
The fin on a Mudkip's head can be used for sensing air and water currents, and can discern nearby bodies of water. The fin can sense danger as well, giving Mudkip a warning. Mudkips breathe underwater using the gills on their cheeks, and their powerful tails drive them through the water quickly. Mudkip can lift big boulders. In a pinch, Mudkips will find strength enough to crush even rocks that are bigger than themselves. Mudkip has the ability Torrent, which will increase the power of Water-type moves in a pinch.

Behavior
Mudkip are born on beaches, and then swim to swamps on remote islands to live. Very few Mudkip are hatched in swamps. Mudkip and its evolutions tend to live in swamps and wetlands because of their dislike of fresh water ponds and lakes. They are an uncommon sight in the wild.

Evolution
Mudkip evolves into Marshtomp at level 16, then into Swampert at level 36.

Anime
In the anime, Brock gets a Mudkip after winning the trust of Old Man Swampy, who styles his hair like a Mudkip. In the events leading up to this, Old Man Swampy offers to let Brock see his eggs hatch. Brock agrees, and is treated to the sight of a baby Mudkip hatching.

Later, Brock's Mudkip evolves into a Marshtomp.

Trivia

 * The concept of Mudkip was based on a breed of Axolotl.
 * Mudkip's name is based on its behaviour. It is said to kip in the mud, kip meaning to sleep.
 * Mudkip has the highest physical attack of any first evolution starter.
 * In the games, if you didn't make it evolve, it will learn Whirlpool and Hydro Pump.
 * Mudkip is the first type starter Pokémon to be based on an Amphibian.