Paras is a unique Bug/Grass-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I. It is known as the Mushroom Pokémon due to the parasitic mushrooms, called tochukaso, growing on its back. These mushrooms have a symbiotic relationship with Paras, growing alongside the host and drawing nutrients from it. The tochukaso mushrooms are highly valued as a medicine for extending life. Paras has a small, insectoid body with an orange exoskeleton, resembling the nymph stage of a cicada. It has three pairs of legs, with the foremost pair being the largest and having sharp claws. Paras has circular eyes with large pseudopupils and five specks on its forehead.
Interestingly, the mushrooms on Paras's back are not present when it's born. Instead, they grow as Paras matures, with the spores being transferred from its mother's mushrooms at birth. These mushrooms play a significant role in Paras's behavior and abilities, sometimes even exerting control over the Pokémon's actions. For example, Paras may be compelled to drain nutrients from tree roots due to commands from the mushrooms.
Pokédex Data
- Height: 0.3 m (1'00")
- Weight: 5.4 kg (11.9 lbs)
- Type: Bug/Grass
- Abilities: Effect Spore, Dry Skin, Damp (Hidden Ability)
Breeding
- Egg Groups: Bug, Grass
- Gender Ratio: 50% male, 50% female
- Egg Cycles: 20 (4,884–5,140 steps)
Pokédex Entries Across Versions
- Red/Blue: Burrows to suck tree roots. The mushrooms on its back grow by drawing nutrients from the bug host.
- Yellow: Growing out of the bug's back are mushrooms called tochukaso. The mushrooms grow with the bug host.
- Gold: It is doused with mushroom spores when it is born. As its body grows, mushrooms sprout from its back.
- Ruby/Sapphire: Paras has parasitic mushrooms growing on its back called tochukaso. They grow large by drawing nutrients from this Bug Pokémon host. They are highly valued as a medicine for extending life.
- Sun: No matter how much it eats, the mushrooms growing on its back steal away most of the nutrients it consumes.
Evolutions
Paras evolves into Parasect at level 24.
Habits
Paras can often be found in caves, but it also thrives in damp forests. It burrows under the ground to gnaw on tree roots. The mushrooms on its back absorb most of the nutrition it consumes.
Additions Across Generations
In Generation 3, Paras gained the Dry Skin ability. In Alola (Generation 7), it was noted that the mushrooms on Paras's back don't grow well, possibly due to a lack of moisture or nutrients. In earlier generations, Paras and its evolution were the only Pokémon to have three 4× weaknesses due to the Poison-type being super effective against Bug-types.