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So I know zigzagoon has spikes around its body but it's not like it's a Porcupine. I never touched a raccoon before but can somebody explain a little biology.

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Game Freak logic. Also why can't Zigzagoon be both a porcupine and a raccoon?
Probably the same way that Jolteon does....

1 Answer

3 votes

Actually, I can answer this one.

From the Sapphire/Alpha Sapphire Pokedex:
"The hair on Zigzagoon's back is bristly. It rubs the hard back hair against trees to leave its territorial markings."

Biologically, this is a trait known as urticating hairs, which are hairs that are designed to be an irritant. When looked at under a microscope, urticating hairs are very sharp or have tiny barbs. This is a defense mechanism used by plants, caterpillars, and even tarantulas; the latter of which will turn around and scratch their abdominal hair off at threats. Porcupine quills are also a type of urticating hair.
Urticating hairs can also be used as a form of territorial marking, just like is said in Zigzagoon's Pokedex entry. To quote the article above:

Urticating hairs are not just thrown at an enemy as a first line defense, but are also used as an indication of territory. They can be found on and around the burrow entrance and in webbing for protection...

Hopefully this helped!

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"That knowledge has no application" they said, "How come you can remember that but not how to multiply?" they said. Well... Who's laughing NOW!?
Flappers, learn me.
You can't multiply?
Nope. I used to know, then I graduated high-school and forgot. I have also never known how to divide, work with fractions, or work with decimals.
Flappers, basically: "I can't math"
Not in the slightest.
Fascinating.
In that case, how did you post this answer? https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/314374/ Did someone steal your computer and post it from your account?
That's barely math, I didn't have to multiply anything, all the sums and quotients are predetermined -- it's merely a matter of explaining what each resulting number means. Whenever I answer I question I do my research, so I read that information on multiple sources then relayed it in a concise way that could be understood as easily as possible.

And the ONLY reason I was able to do any of that was because it was about something that interested me. If it's something I don't care about, like math in general, then I can't understand it at all :p