We all know of the Seviper and Zangoose rivalry but are their any lesser known species of arch nemises? if not are their any species that tend to be symbiotic towards each other?

Actually, the answer is yes to both questions.

Regarding rivalry, there’s the classic “literally any canine pokémon versus literally any feline,” as well as “literally any feline pokémon versus literally any rodent.” Granted, few of these rivalries actually have any current truth to them. When it comes to canines and felines, that simply has roots in both of their social behaviors. Dog pokémon are highly social and expressive, and they display affection through non-combative play routines. They also have a tendency to chase after pokémon that are smaller than they are, either to hunt or to play-hunt, depending on whether or not the dogs in question are wild. On the other hand, feline pokémon are more reserved and play by sparring with one another, and they don’t take well to anything deemed as a threat, even if that threat is larger than them. Thus, a dog pokémon may attempt to chase after a cat pokémon, which in turn is interpreted as an act of aggression to the cat; alternatively, the cat pokémon may attempt to play in its own way with the dog, which results in the act being interpreted as aggression by the dog. Either way, these miscommunications are interpreted by humans as bitter rivalry, rather than as what they are (that is, an unfortunate crossing of perfectly natural behaviors).

As for felines and rodents, well. Considering the fact that feline pokémon eat many creatures smaller than them, including and especially rodent pokémon, it only stands to reason that the two don’t always have positive interactions for both sides. Granted, humans didn’t help in that regard either: as rodent pokémon had been pests to us at one point, we’ve trained feline pokémon, their natural predators, to … well, chase them off.

Of course, these are only perceived rivalries, or merely interactions between species that are not combative but rather pokémon simply following instinct, no animosity intended. On the other hand, there are plenty of instances of actual rivalries in the pokémon world. Both types of basculin, for example, if only because red and blue basculin are highly territorial and protective of their own kind (and thus, yes, a little bit racist). Then there are yungoos and Alolan rattata (intended to be predator and prey and instead ended up as rivals for territory and resources), braviary and mandibuzz (territory disputes, usually), heatmor and durant (for the same reason seviper and zangoose don’t get along), gyarados and anything that moves, and for some reason, clefairy and jigglypuff. Some even say omanyte and kabuto are rivals, but this is more hearsay from obscure texts, rather than anything founded on scientific fact.

As for symbiotic relationships, that can actually apply to a number of pokémon. Many pokémon are capable of living in harmony with one another, within delicately balanced ecosystems. Take the bibarel, for example. Bibarel create dams, which in turn create freshwater lakes for finneon and shellos. Thus, finneon and shellos tend to gather and follow (in rivers and streams, of course) wherever bidoof and bibarel are, just waiting for either pokémon to construct new habitats and breeding grounds.

Then you have the more well-known symbiotic relationships, such as shellder and slowpoke (the two evolve together to form slowbro or slowking), mantine and remoraid (remoraid helps mantyke to evolve, in exchange for protection), and shelmet and karrablast (they help one another evolve, even in the wild). Most lines that are considered counterparts to each other (nidoran, plusle and minun, miltank and tauros, volbeat and illumise) are likewise actually symbiotic species, as they gather in pooled herds to use their lines’ respective skills for survival. For example, although they may mate with other pokémon in a forest in order to obtain fertilized eggs, nidoran herds will set up combined nests guarded by nidorina and nidoqueen (which are better at defending territory). The male counterparts, nidorino and nidoking, will often either establish and patrol outer boundaries of the warren or go out to hunt and forage for the group, as, being the more aggressive of the two, they can form dangerous mobs to effectively drive away predators before they even reach the nests.

Hi there Bill, I’ve had this Zangoose for a few weeks now and he’s been great in battle but he seems a little too rowdy, especially around Poison-Type Pokemon. I went to visit a friend of mine in the countryside and my Zangoose started growling at his Ekans and Seviper. Do you have any advice on how to calm my Zangoose??

It’s worth it to remember that zangoose are considered to be blood enemies of serpent pokémon—especially seviper—largely because seviper are their natural food sources. So right now, your zangoose is expressing hostility towards your friend’s pokémon simply because it’s acting on the instinct that says he should be killing and eating them.

That having been said, though, it’s intriguing that you’ve mentioned his aggression on the battlefield as well, which may indicate that your zangoose is not only acting on instinct but also attempting release pent-up anger on a target his species deems acceptable. So as with all issues regarding pokémon behavior, it’s important to begin treating the issue off the battlefield and away from triggering situations first. Consider adding meditative exercises to your daily routine to help manage your zangoose’s stress and aggression levels as well as to teach him discipline. Reward him for exercising restraint during battle training. When encountering poison-types other than your friend’s team, give him a treat every time he behaves (by not growling or moving towards the poison-type), and give him a treat whenever he restrains himself on the battlefield against a poison-type.

Then, when you encounter your friend and his team, reinforce all of these lessons by rewarding zangoose whenever he behaves. If he growls, tell him firmly (but not sternly) that your friend’s pokémon are his friends and that you would appreciate it if he would treat them as such.

If all else fails—and only if all else fails—consider pairing him with a sturdy poison-type to help him understand that they are not targets and be prepared to do plenty of patching up during the socialization process.

In short, it may try your patience, but the key is to teach your zangoose restraint, discipline, and a bit of open-mindedness to boot. Once he begins to associate being on his best behavior around poison-types with rewards, it will be easier to keep your zangoose in check.

Best of luck, anonymous.

Is it unusual that my zangoose and seviper are being friends despite what pokedex says?

Not at all, actually! While it’s true that wild zangoose and seviper are blood enemies, once tamed and given proper homes (with properly established feeding routines), you can actually eliminate any need for either of them to fight. It’s much like how most people believe that growlithe, meowth, and marill are all mortal enemies, but in actuality, all three lines can get along just fine if introduced to a loving home … and, well, taught not to attack each other.

It’s wonderful to hear that your pokémon are getting along splendidly, though, anonymous, so may their relationship thrive for years to come!

Zangoos and Seviper

Certainly, anonymous!

Zangoose
The Cat Ferret Pokémon
Type: Normal
Official Registration #: 335
Entry: A tall, mongoose-like pokémon first discovered in the mountains of Hoenn. Zangoose are known for exactly three things. First and most importantly, they are famous for their blood rivalry against seviper, which itself was very likely born from the fact that seviper, their favored prey, are also eight-foot-long tubes of hate and violence. Second, zangoose are known for their massive, sharp claws, which are capable of slicing through not only boulders but also raging seviper. Third and finally, zangoose are known for quite possibly the worst and most inaccurate species designation of any pokémon in existence.

Seviper
The Fang Snake Pokémon
Type: Poison
Official Registration #: 336
Entry: A large, viper-like pokémon first discovered in the mountains of Hoenn. Seviper are known for exactly three things. First and most importantly, they are famous for their blood rivalry against zangoose, which itself was very likely born from the fact that zangoose, their foremost predator, are also stubborn and ornery balls of muscle and terrible judgment. Second, seviper are known for their long tail blades, which not only are sharp enough to slice a boulder or a zangoose clean in half but are also venomous (as if the sharpness wasn’t enough). Third and finally, seviper are known for the second worst species designation of any pokémon in existence, trumped by zangoose’s only because seviper’s is actually stating the obvious.