Emily Johnson
Paras is an orange, insectoid Pokémon that resembles a cicada nymph. It has two mushrooms that grow on its back, known as tochukaso, which are parasitic in nature, drawing nutrients from the host Paras's body and exerting control over its actions. These mushrooms are present on Paras from birth, as the eggs are covered in fungal spores, and grow as the Pokémon develops. While some sources describe the relationship between Paras and its mushrooms as parasitic, others argue that it is actually symbiotic, with both species benefiting from the arrangement. The mushrooms gain energy from Paras, while Paras creates spores and gains a nutritional boost from the mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the relationship with mushrooms | Symbiotic, not parasitic |
| Type of mushroom | Red-and-yellow tochukaso |
| Mushroom's behaviour | Controls part of the host's brain, signals for Paras to burrow for roots |
| Paras' behaviour | Drains nutrients from tree roots due to commands from the mushrooms |
| Mushroom's growth | Emerges later in development, grows from spores doused on Paras' back at birth by the mushroom on its mother's back |
| Mushroom's appearance | Sprouts from the back |
| Mushroom's inspiration | Cordyceps mushroom, Massospora, a genus of fungi which include species that specifically infect cicadas |
| Paras' appearance | Small, orange, insectoid, crab-like Pokémon with four legs and two large claws |
| Paras' evolution | Evolves into Parasect starting at Level 24 |
| Paras' habitat | Damp forests, caves, damp and dark areas where fungi thrive |
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What You'll Learn
Paras is a Pokémon that resembles a cicada nymph
The base insect that Paras resembles is thought to be a cicada nymph, specifically the nymph stage of a cicada. This is based on Paras' physical characteristics, such as its orange colouration and the presence of mushrooms on its back. Cicada nymphs are the immature form of cicadas, which develop and emerge from the ground when they reach maturity. They undergo a process called incomplete metamorphosis, where they do not go through a pupal stage. Instead, they directly develop into adults while still retaining some nymph-like features.
The fungus that grows on Paras' back, known as tochukaso, is an important aspect of its design and behaviour. These mushrooms are parasitic in nature, drawing their nutrients from the host Paras. They can also exert some control over the Pokémon's actions, such as directing Paras to drain nutrients from tree roots. The mushrooms have medicinal uses and are popular among collectors. The tochukaso mushrooms grow from spores that are transferred to the Paras at birth by the mushroom on its mother's back. Over time, the mushrooms grow and develop, becoming an integral part of the Paras' biology.
The design and concept of Paras may draw inspiration from various sources. One possibility is the Massospora fungus, which includes species that specifically infect cicadas. Additionally, Paras may be derived from the word "parasite," reflecting the parasitic nature of the mushroom growing on its back. The relationship between Paras and its mushrooms has been a subject of discussion among fans, with some arguing for a symbiotic relationship rather than a purely parasitic one. This theory suggests that both the Paras and the mushrooms benefit from their interaction, allowing them to propagate together.
Paras is a unique Pokémon that combines insect-like features with the presence of parasitic mushrooms. Its resemblance to a cicada nymph, along with its orange colouration and distinctive mushrooms, makes it a memorable and intriguing creature in the Pokémon universe. The complex relationship between Paras and its mushrooms continues to be a topic of interest and discussion among fans, showcasing the depth and complexity that can be found within the Pokémon world.
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Paras' mushrooms are parasitic in nature
Paras is an orange, insectoid Pokémon that resembles the nymph stage of a cicada. It has an ovoid and segmented body, with three pairs of legs, the foremost pair of which are the largest and have sharp claws at the tips. It also has circular eyes with large pseudopupils and five specks on its forehead. Notably, Paras has two mushrooms that grow on its back, which are red with yellowish spots. These mushrooms are identified as tochukaso, an endoparasitoid that replaces the host tissue and can affect the behaviour of its insect host.
The tochukaso mushrooms on Paras's back are parasitic in nature, drawing their nutrients from the host Paras's body in order to grow and exerting some command over the Pokémon's actions. Specifically, the mushrooms release spores that cover Paras upon birth, and as Paras grows, the mushrooms on its back also grow and eventually merge with the Pokémon's nervous system, stealing away most of the nutrients that Paras consumes. This parasitic relationship is further evidenced by reports of strange behaviour from trainers as Paras matures. By the time Paras evolves into Parasect, the parasitic mushroom has completely taken over the host, with the mushrooms even appearing to do all the thinking.
However, it is important to note that some sources disagree with the characterization of the relationship between Paras and its mushrooms as purely parasitic. Instead, they propose that the relationship is symbiotic or mutualistic in nature. They argue that both Paras and the mushrooms benefit from their interaction, as Paras gains the ability to create spores, while the mushrooms gain energy from Paras. Additionally, it is suggested that the mushrooms may not be parasitic at all, but rather a separate Pokémon known as Paraspore, which is born from a mushroom and eventually becomes Parasect.
The Paras Pokémon and its mushrooms have drawn comparisons to real-world examples of parasitic fungi, such as cordyceps, which is infamous for exerting "zombie-like" control over ant hosts. Similarly, Paras is known to drain nutrients from tree roots due to commands from the mushrooms, and the mushrooms have been described as exerting control over Paras's actions. This similarity to real-world parasitic relationships has led to speculation about the biology and evolution of Paras and its mushrooms, with some fans even wishing for a new evolution or regional form that explores what Paras would be like without its parasitic component.
In conclusion, while the tochukaso mushrooms on Paras's back are generally described as parasitic in nature, there are alternative interpretations that propose a symbiotic or mutualistic relationship between the two. The Paras line and their mushrooms have sparked interesting discussions among Pokémon fans, showcasing the intricate world-building and biology that can be explored within the Pokémon universe.
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Paras draws nutrients from tree roots
Paras is an orange, insectoid Pokémon that resembles the nymph stage of a cicada. It has an ovoid, segmented body, three pairs of legs, and beady eyes. Paras is known as the Mushroom Pokémon, as it has two red-and-yellow mushrooms called tochukaso growing on its back. These mushrooms are parasitic in nature, drawing nutrients from Paras's body and exerting control over its actions.
The mushrooms on Paras's back are not parasitic but instead form a symbiotic relationship with the Pokémon. The tochukaso mushrooms grow from spores that are doused on Paras's back at birth by the mushroom on its mother's back. While the mushrooms do draw nutrients from Paras, they also provide benefits to the Pokémon. For example, the mushrooms have medicinal uses and are valuable to collectors.
Paras is often found in damp forests, where the mushrooms on its back can thrive due to the moisture and nutrient-rich environment. The mushrooms may also draw inspiration from Massospora, a genus of fungi that infect cicadas. The relationship between Paras and its mushrooms is similar to real-world examples of symbiotic relationships between species. For instance, the Adactylidium mite lays its eggs in itself, and the larvae consume the mite from the inside out, gaining an early-life nutritional boost.
In conclusion, Paras draws nutrients from tree roots through the parasitic tochukaso mushrooms that grow on its back. However, the relationship between Paras and the mushrooms is symbiotic, as both species benefit from their interaction. The process of nutrient absorption by Paras is similar to the way trees absorb and distribute nutrients through their roots, trunks, and leaves.
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Paras evolves into Parasect
Paras is an orange, insectoid Pokémon that resembles the nymph stage of a cicada. Its body is segmented, and it has three pairs of legs, with the foremost pair being the largest and having sharp claws at the tips. Two mushrooms, known as tochukaso, grow on its back and can be removed at any time. These mushrooms are parasitic in nature, drawing nutrients from the host Paras's body and exerting some control over its actions. However, some sources argue that the relationship between Paras and its mushrooms is symbiotic rather than parasitic.
Paras is a Bug/Grass-type Pokémon, also known as the Mushroom Pokémon. It is available in Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Paras can be found in caves and damp forests, although the mushrooms on its back do not grow well in the Alola region due to a lack of moisture or nutrients.
The lifecycle of Paras involves the Paraspore, which starts its life by clawing its way out of a mushroom rooted in the ground. It then gets covered in mushroom spores that sprout and steal nutrients from the host, as seen in Paras. Eventually, the mushroom overtakes and kills the host Paras, becoming Parasect.
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Paras is available in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Paras is indeed available in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Paras is a Bug- and Grass-type Pokémon that can be found in caves and damp forests. It is characterised by the red-and-yellow mushrooms that grow on its back, known as tochukaso. These mushrooms are parasitic in nature, drawing nutrients from the host Paras's body and exerting some control over its actions. Interestingly, the mushrooms on Paras's back are not present when it is an infant, only emerging as Paras matures.
Paras is the 46th Pokémon in the Pokédex, and it evolves into Parasect starting at level 24. It is part of the Bug and Grass Egg Groups, and its Egg takes approximately 5,120 steps to hatch. Paras has two abilities: Effect Spore, which has a 10% chance of inflicting an opponent with paralysis, poison, or sleep if Paras is hit with a physical move; and Dry Skin, which restores HP when Paras is hit with a Water-type move or during rain but reduces HP in strong sunlight and increases vulnerability to Fire-type moves.
Paras has made appearances in various Pokémon games and media outside of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It can be found in the Safari Zone and Mt. Moon in Red, Blue, and Yellow versions of the game. In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Paras can be caught during the Bug Catching Competition and is also found in Ilex Forest and Mt. Moon. In Heart Gold and Soul Silver, Paras appears in Ilex Forest, the Bug Catching Contest at National Park, and Mt. Moon. Paras also makes an appearance in Pokémon Trozei!, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, and Pokémon Ranger.
The relationship between Paras and its mushrooms has been a topic of discussion among fans. While some sources describe the relationship as parasitic, others argue that it is symbiotic. In the real world, there are species that have similar relationships, such as the Adactylidium mite, which lays its eggs in itself, providing an early-life nutritional boost for its offspring.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Paras are not born with mushrooms. They are, however, covered in fungal spores upon birth, specifically that of a variety known as tochukaso. As a Paras grows, so do the mushrooms on its back.
The red-and-yellow tochukaso mushrooms that grow on Paras are parasitic in nature. They draw their nutrients from the host Paras's body and exert some command over the Pokémon's actions.
The relationship between Paras and the mushrooms is symbiotic. The mushrooms get energy from Paras, while Paras gets to create spores.
Paras, the Mushroom Pokémon, may draw inspiration from Massospora, a genus of fungi that infects cicadas. Paras may also be derived from the word "parasite", referring to the parasitic mushroom growing on its back.
