Which snake pokemon would you say is the best cuddler? Serperior seems most capable, but probably too haughty.

That depends on your definition of “snake.” Before I continue, yes, serperior is a good cuddler, but there are others that might be better suited to the task.

For example, arbok is notoriously a good cuddler, being an expert at the technique Wrap. Many consider it to be better than serperior, if only because serperior’s fighting techniques don’t quite rely on immobilizing an enemy that way, which means that you are, quite literally, training arbok to cuddle, more so than serperior. Ekans is just as good as its evolution, but arbok really has the advantage of length (and thus, more length with which to cuddle). Meanwhile, if we expand our definition of “snake” to include all serpents, including those that are more dragons, dragonair can not only cuddle but also change the weather of the immediate surroundings to a rather pleasant temperature for maximum comfort of both its trainer and itself.

Of course, if we expand our definition of “cuddler” to include snakes that are excellent for cuddling, you really can’t get any better than dunsparce.

Hi Bill! Is shedding skin painful for Pokémon? My Arbok is usually chill, but lately he seems rather uncomfortable and a bit snappy. I’ve noticed him rubbing his body against anything from my desk, door frames, walls and even trees outside. I’m worried that something might be wrong with him… How can I help?

Not entirely painful, no. It’s simply uncomfortable because the skin beneath is tender, and the displeasure is meant to encourage an arbok to shed. Still, the vulnerability that a pokémon experiences as they shed their skin, as well as the tenderness of their new skin, is very much liable to make them irritable and defensive. However, rest assured this is perfectly natural. All you need to do is keep an eye on your arbok and make sure he’s in a comfortable environment (that is, his normal requirements, plus perhaps a rock or rough surface to rub against). Pay particular attention to how much water he has; it’s vital that an arbok remain hydrated throughout the shedding process.

Also, check in with him regularly to see how his shedding is going. If it seems like he’s struggling to remove some part of his skin, you may help him by gently rubbing that skin towards the tail with a damp paper towel until it falls off. Just be sure that your arbok will allow you to do this first, of course. You may wish to communicate clearly (by telling him) what you intend on doing, just to avoid startling him.

Best of luck!

I think my Ekans wants to evolve, but I’ve heard some Pokemon’s personalities can change drastically on evolution. Most of the Arboks I’ve seen on TV are, shall we say, considerably less friendly and calm than my Ekans, and I’m not sure I’m up to dealing with a Pokemon like that. Is this a valid worry? If it is, how best to tell Ekans, and if not, what ought I do to get our home ready for his considerably larger evolution?

Actually, most of the arbok you’ll see on TV are either:

1. Trained to be that aggressive (for entertainment purposes or because battle-ready arbok will usually be aggressive for fairly apparent reasons).

2. Wild (and thus aggressive to defend itself).

However, tamed arbok will tend to be as gentle as their trainers want them to be, so if you raise your ekans to be gentle and sweet, you’ll end up with a gentle and sweet arbok. The only thing to note is that it is true that a pokémon’s personality changes slightly after it evolves, but it’s not in the way one might think. It’s not a dramatic or otherwise drastic change; rather, it’s a transition into maturity. If your ekans is playful, he may be more reserved after evolving. Alternatively, if your ekans is shy, he may be more energetic or outgoing as an “adult.” In other words, he won’t be dangerous, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye out for shifts towards a more mature personality.

Hello! I think dear dunsparce got herself a mate, but it’s a female Arbok. I know they both can’t breed due to gender and egg group, but dunsparce is still furious about that. How can I calm her down before she hurts herself in her rage?

Ah yes. This can be a rather awkward dilemma.

And the answer is … adopt an egg. Believe it or not, anger like this doesn’t stem from the physical inability to produce a fertilized egg but instead the lack of an opportunity to raise young as one’s own at all. Luckily, there are plenty of possible solutions for most pokémon, but in a dunsparce and arbok’s case, the easiest and least risky one would be, simply, egg adoption.

Best of luck!

(As an added note, I’m aware you’ve asked for tips on calming your dunsparce, but honestly, unless letting them raise young is unviable for reasons other than sex and egg groups, let them raise young. They sound like they would be wonderful parents.)

ekans and arbok

Certainly!

Ekans
The Snake Pokémon
Type: Poison
Official Registration #: 23
Entry: An ekans develops its venom as it grows. This means that the venom of a young ekans is not as potent as the venom of an older ekans, and newborn ekans lack venom entirely, although their bites are still painful. When determining the age of your ekans, always judge by the length, not by whether or not it possesses venom; the longer the ekans, the older the specimen. Allowing an ekans to bite you in order to determine whether or not it possesses venom is not only a reckless idea but also the cause of death of many early Kantonian settlers.

Arbok
The Cobra Pokémon
Type: Poison
Official Registration #: 24
Entry: The evolved form of ekans, by battle experience. It is said that the elaborate patterns on its belly vary from area to area. Unlike most rumors concerning pokémon, this is true. Arbok from different regions have adapted different patterns, based on what its prey would find most intimidating. For example, Japanese arbok possess terrifying but simple markings that resemble noh masks. European arbok possess markings that resemble the faces of dragons or local monsters. American arbok, meanwhile, possess markings that resemble the most terrifying faces of all: clowns.