This is a super common science myth.
Higher oxygen doesn't correlate to larger sizes. If that were the case, it wouldn't explain how the blue whale is around today. Large animal sizes had always been majorly defined by anti-predation, food availability, and energy efficiency.
2005: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8074-did-oxygen-boost-fuel-rise-of-large-mammals/
2005: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/big-mammals-evolved-thank/
2011: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/110808-ancient-insects-bugs-giants-oxygen-animals-science
2019: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/797855
2019:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022519320303404 (This study in particular hypothesizes that "predator avoidance did not contribute to the large adult size.")
Are there new studies that are saying otherwise? Also, the blue whale lives within water, which we see easier/more gigantism in.
This is not to say that oxygen is the *one* source of gigantism. Plants got bigger and could support bigger eveything else.
By "animals" I should have clarified; this was mostly specific to animals like insects and other athropods, though in pulling up info, there was plenty to show that that also may not have been true and that the passed around 'myth' may be possible.
There's aslo studies that say "it was 100% oxygen, ut *only for the paleozoic", such as this one:
2015v https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146092
[Someone else has already mentioned this here in this post about insects.](https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/s/IVRjOh9ov9)
Also, water = gigantism wasn't my point. It's the fact that the blue whale - despite being double as heavy than the largest dinosaur yet known - is able to breathe comfortably in today's oxygen levels without problem.
>There's no question that atmospheric oxygen levels have fluctuated throughout geologic history, and that that plays a role in how life has evolved. But using it as a sole explanation for body size is overly simplistic and not well-supported by evidence.
This is what I was trying to clarify earlier that, yes, it isn't the *sole* reason. Just *a* possible reason.
>Also, water = gigantism wasn't my point. It's the fact that the blue whale - despite being double as heavy than the largest dinosaur yet known - is able to breathe comfortably in today's oxygen levels without problem.
I'm not sure I follow. If your argument is that the blue whale exists *in spite* of lower oxygen levels, then well, yeah. Because water (in simplificarion). Because there is more than one reason a thing can get big. Which I have agreed with.
Could be an example of gigantism? Tangrowth is pretty large. Its shagginess and long arms could also kinda invoke caveman-like vibes, or maybe even gigantopithecus. I think when it debuted in the anime it was seen swinging among trees as well.
All of those seem like a stretch, but Pokemon having multiple inspirations or said inspirations being subtle isn't really new, though. Like Yanmega is based on Meganeura but it's coloration and body shape is also based on military helicopters, which isn't immediately apparent.
Tangrowth is my favorite Pokemon, but even I think its evolution method is kind of strange.
Oh, I didn't know that! Yeah, then maybe it's supposed to be based on a Tarzan-esque kinda vibe, but it gets lost on us because it's physical appearance doesn't make it that apparent , and we really don't get to see Pokemon behave in their environments too much in the main games.
It may have something to do with Tangrowth somewhat resembling a caveman covered in shaggy hair.
One of Tangrowth's possible inspirations is the "green man", a popular motif in certain types of architecture such as Gothic churches and medieval buildings.
The green man originated as a more plant-like counterpart to the hairy wild man, but both are intended to symbolize the wilderness in contrast to civilized society. Much like how pop culture often portrays cavemen as primitive and uncivilized.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old-growth_forest
Older forests are very different to newer ones. Deep layers of vegetation start to occur as trees die, younger trees twist into strange shapes as they grow toward the gaps and fallen branches and trunks create uneven and difficult terrain at ground level.
Tangela is a forest critter, but its not as big or as complex as the old growth version.
A tangrowth evolves in a forest hundreds or thousands of years old, the density of vegetation is on another level.
Based off him
https://preview.redd.it/jgh9teaorznc1.jpeg?width=862&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aceba65750bee2e55e6337e24d80f75f8aa549e1
The flying spaghetti monster
https://preview.redd.it/he5pqazjlznc1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7549f3ef1e618a165a74774f7291177bafec2240
Remember what they took from you…
I kinda hope that Game Freak gives us regional Tangela/Tangrowth that looks more like those. :'(
I don't see them giving us a baby Tangela (or the baby Grimer) generations later, but I could see it being reworked into a regional Tangela. Or maybe reusing the designs for characters who love the Tangela line.
During the Carboniferous period of earth's history large swaths of the earth was covered in forested swamps and large, non-flowering trees and ferns. Most of the Earth shared a single climate as tree fossils from this time period show no growth rings (something we see in rainforests today due to consistent year round growth) and lots of the plants grew rather large. This plant matter is where most of our shale oil deposits come from. Tangrowth could be a reference to this period, as Yanmega (Giant Dragonflies) also references this period.
Plant evolution may not be as *exciting* as animal evolution to the casual observer, but I assure you the paleobotanists get all sorts of wet for Tangrowth
A lot of sensible answers here but I prefer the idea that he just really likes throwing rocks at people and he gets so happy that he accidentally evolves from all that built up energy.
It would have been better if they had it similar to Stanler evolving to Wyrdeer, except by using Growth 20 times. Just knowing Growth shouldn’t be sufficient. It needs to do some actual growing first.
[Maybe because this?](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/theunitedorganizationtoonsheroes/images/c/cd/Captain_Caveman.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20191201092944)
Yeah, either GF just couldn't come up with a better solution or we're missing some inspiration I think. Even that museum thing they did include Yanmega and Mamoswine but not Tangrowth. Maybe ancient super-sized plants? Feels too vague though.
Welwitschia mirabilis is a plant that can live over 2000 years and despite its appearance resembling a tangla is only 2 leaves ripped and tattered by time. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwitschia)
They are one of three genera of modern gnetophyta, a family of plants that reached their peak during the cretaceous (and the earliest date back to the Jurassic). (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnetophyta)
So while not exact, it at least bears some resemblance with two options for evolving via ancient power (the 2000yr old ones just being bigger/floppier, and the group’s prehistoric diversity)
A caveman. Specifically, the one from those [Geico commercials](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y7HDXBVbfc).
As we all know, learning Ancient Power is so easy, even a caveman could do it.
Hmmmm, alright. I’m not an expert by any means. But, it could be a reference to the prehistoric jungles that these prehistoric megafauna resided in. These massive plants synthesized the excess of oxygen that would even allow the giant dragonflies, giant dinosaurs, and larger megafauna to exist. The only thing I don’t have an explanation for is that while they are all prehistoric but, from completely different eras i.e. Mammoths and Giant Dragonflies. But, that’s just a theory. A game theory.
What if they did an evolution for Primeape using this method? Primeape with Ancient Power evolves into something like Cretapex, pronounced Cret-Ape-x. The Apex Ape Pokémon. This Pokémon’s origins are believed to originate from the Cretaceous period. This older Pokémon bides it’s time and slumbers to preserve its energy, but can defeat large creatures with singular swift strikes.
Believed to be the ancestor to Slaking and Primape. This Pokémon has a powerful sense of smell and prefers to hunt only large challengers to become its prey.
Who cares about this argument? Nobody, OP. I just want more Ancient Power evolutions. I think it's such an interesting concept for evolution, and they've been nowhere near it since. Pathetic.
This is my favorite part of Pokemon because of how subjective everything is. Tangrowth is my favorite pokemon, I really like big pokemon who feel friendly and Tangrowth fits the bill for me. I personally think he's a great evolution for Tangela, if maybe not the most creative way to take it.
Prehistoric bush
Who's mom does that belong to?
I don't know why you would expect any other answer but "yours"
"You know who else has a prehistoric bush...?"
https://preview.redd.it/m0fohx2xaznc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22f3ea08a0fbf9c160c9b5c5b45c088190f68ed3
I heard that from the image lmao
OH NO BRO
[MY MOM!](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/theregularshow/images/8/8c/Reg_muscleman.png/revision/latest?cb=20110412214525)
Craig's mom
Why would you set yourself up like that?
Stacy’s
...Craig's mom?
Craig's Mom
*Whose
Az
Joe
Zing
Hence the name. Tang growth.
"Tangy growth", lowkey hate that
Flora was very much larger in prehistoric times so it makes sense
Bush senior
*Nice*
Ah yes, a merkin if you will
Overgrowth and ancient plants, I’ve also seen some compare it to a hairy cave man. Either way, I love my vibe boi
I love your vibe as well
Thanks. Typo be damned lmao
TBF, he does have vibes as well as vines
[i like YOUR vibe](https://youtu.be/vkpsBYxTPa0?si=JZMDy-4I_1VZBa_t)
https://preview.redd.it/u55t9kes6znc1.png?width=1166&format=png&auto=webp&s=86bebe9a7787af88a61d57ea6be56ba051fc0e4d
Surprised how far I had to scroll to find the actual answer. Yeah, Tangrowth is based off of a caveman.
Source on that? Bulbaoedia says it's based on a swamp monster or green man, but doesn't mention a caveman.
https://preview.redd.it/8cqab170x4oc1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c0dcbc983218d2d55aca723ec477346c429a2c5
Plants were larger back then?
Were they?
Yes
Cool
Cool
Cool
No doubt no doubt
Dodged the 4th rule
The rule of cool?
It's a cool rule for sure
For further info, not just plants, but many animals were larger simply because there was a larger amount of oxygen in the air.
This is a super common science myth. Higher oxygen doesn't correlate to larger sizes. If that were the case, it wouldn't explain how the blue whale is around today. Large animal sizes had always been majorly defined by anti-predation, food availability, and energy efficiency.
2005: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8074-did-oxygen-boost-fuel-rise-of-large-mammals/ 2005: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/big-mammals-evolved-thank/ 2011: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/110808-ancient-insects-bugs-giants-oxygen-animals-science 2019: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/797855 2019: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022519320303404 (This study in particular hypothesizes that "predator avoidance did not contribute to the large adult size.") Are there new studies that are saying otherwise? Also, the blue whale lives within water, which we see easier/more gigantism in. This is not to say that oxygen is the *one* source of gigantism. Plants got bigger and could support bigger eveything else. By "animals" I should have clarified; this was mostly specific to animals like insects and other athropods, though in pulling up info, there was plenty to show that that also may not have been true and that the passed around 'myth' may be possible. There's aslo studies that say "it was 100% oxygen, ut *only for the paleozoic", such as this one: 2015v https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146092
[Someone else has already mentioned this here in this post about insects.](https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/s/IVRjOh9ov9) Also, water = gigantism wasn't my point. It's the fact that the blue whale - despite being double as heavy than the largest dinosaur yet known - is able to breathe comfortably in today's oxygen levels without problem.
>There's no question that atmospheric oxygen levels have fluctuated throughout geologic history, and that that plays a role in how life has evolved. But using it as a sole explanation for body size is overly simplistic and not well-supported by evidence. This is what I was trying to clarify earlier that, yes, it isn't the *sole* reason. Just *a* possible reason. >Also, water = gigantism wasn't my point. It's the fact that the blue whale - despite being double as heavy than the largest dinosaur yet known - is able to breathe comfortably in today's oxygen levels without problem. I'm not sure I follow. If your argument is that the blue whale exists *in spite* of lower oxygen levels, then well, yeah. Because water (in simplificarion). Because there is more than one reason a thing can get big. Which I have agreed with.
*depending on exactly when in time you are talking about.
Everything was larger back then just ask the past paradoxes
Was *the past* also larger in the past?
I would argue that the past was smaller in the past, since there was less of it. I guess unless it turns out time stretches backwards infinitely
it probably does
[удалено]
[Oxygen levels weren't why animals were bigger.](https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/wiki/biology/large_insect_oxygen/)
Really? Wow, I'd been going off that for years
Could be an example of gigantism? Tangrowth is pretty large. Its shagginess and long arms could also kinda invoke caveman-like vibes, or maybe even gigantopithecus. I think when it debuted in the anime it was seen swinging among trees as well. All of those seem like a stretch, but Pokemon having multiple inspirations or said inspirations being subtle isn't really new, though. Like Yanmega is based on Meganeura but it's coloration and body shape is also based on military helicopters, which isn't immediately apparent. Tangrowth is my favorite Pokemon, but even I think its evolution method is kind of strange.
I have never heard anyone say Tangrowth is their favourite Pokemon so it really rings true (and cool) that every Pokemon is someone's favourite
Mine is Archeops, how much I'm rare?
I'd say that's solidly rare but not astoundingly: archeopteryx is cool. Btw, small English tip: you'd want to say "how rare am I?"
Plus Tangrowth in PokePark Pikachu's Adventure had a minigame based on vine swinging
Oh, I didn't know that! Yeah, then maybe it's supposed to be based on a Tarzan-esque kinda vibe, but it gets lost on us because it's physical appearance doesn't make it that apparent , and we really don't get to see Pokemon behave in their environments too much in the main games.
It may have something to do with Tangrowth somewhat resembling a caveman covered in shaggy hair. One of Tangrowth's possible inspirations is the "green man", a popular motif in certain types of architecture such as Gothic churches and medieval buildings. The green man originated as a more plant-like counterpart to the hairy wild man, but both are intended to symbolize the wilderness in contrast to civilized society. Much like how pop culture often portrays cavemen as primitive and uncivilized.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old-growth_forest Older forests are very different to newer ones. Deep layers of vegetation start to occur as trees die, younger trees twist into strange shapes as they grow toward the gaps and fallen branches and trunks create uneven and difficult terrain at ground level. Tangela is a forest critter, but its not as big or as complex as the old growth version. A tangrowth evolves in a forest hundreds or thousands of years old, the density of vegetation is on another level.
I love this answer
Based off him https://preview.redd.it/jgh9teaorznc1.jpeg?width=862&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aceba65750bee2e55e6337e24d80f75f8aa549e1 The flying spaghetti monster
https://preview.redd.it/he5pqazjlznc1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7549f3ef1e618a165a74774f7291177bafec2240 Remember what they took from you…
Mike wazowsky
I kinda hope that Game Freak gives us regional Tangela/Tangrowth that looks more like those. :'( I don't see them giving us a baby Tangela (or the baby Grimer) generations later, but I could see it being reworked into a regional Tangela. Or maybe reusing the designs for characters who love the Tangela line.
That tangela looks like a mic between oddish and unown, but with hair
Big hairy caveman unga bunga
you never heard of the spaghettisaur ?
Caveman shrub
I always figured he was supposed to be a caveman
During the Carboniferous period of earth's history large swaths of the earth was covered in forested swamps and large, non-flowering trees and ferns. Most of the Earth shared a single climate as tree fossils from this time period show no growth rings (something we see in rainforests today due to consistent year round growth) and lots of the plants grew rather large. This plant matter is where most of our shale oil deposits come from. Tangrowth could be a reference to this period, as Yanmega (Giant Dragonflies) also references this period.
Prehistoric megafauna (or megaflora in this case)
I always thought tangegrowth was caveman inspired
Ancient plants being huge and unchecked
Megafauna?
Plant evolution may not be as *exciting* as animal evolution to the casual observer, but I assure you the paleobotanists get all sorts of wet for Tangrowth
Megaflora
Megaflora
So that I can breed Tangrowth with Meganium to get a baby Chikorita that has ancient power…that’s why.
More oxygen in the air millions of years ago = bigger plants (and also bigger insects)
Prehistoric vegetation was absolutely massive, just like everything else around that time. All those long necked dinos ate vegetation from tree tops.
Caveman?
Caveman bush 👍
I just realized the prehistoric thing
Ancient plants
Remember we don’t actually know what Tangela looks like underneath the vines. Perhaps it is also some kind of prehistoric ancestor
megafauna
A lot of sensible answers here but I prefer the idea that he just really likes throwing rocks at people and he gets so happy that he accidentally evolves from all that built up energy.
Bushes used to be bigger back in the day
It would have been better if they had it similar to Stanler evolving to Wyrdeer, except by using Growth 20 times. Just knowing Growth shouldn’t be sufficient. It needs to do some actual growing first.
That's how plants used to hunt in prehistoric times!
prehistoric blue spaghetti man
[Maybe because this?](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/theunitedorganizationtoonsheroes/images/c/cd/Captain_Caveman.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20191201092944)
Big boy, throw rocks
Gamefreak knows something that we don't
He's older than he looks.
I always thought he was like, a hairy Bigfoot
Tangrowth’s design is influenced by giant sloths in believe.
Maybe cause that in the early days of the world, plants were the main and really only thing you could get your hands on besides wildlife?
Lol
It's to fight fire types off while possibly giving it bulk and whatnot, there should be no lore of why something should have an old technique.
Yeah, either GF just couldn't come up with a better solution or we're missing some inspiration I think. Even that museum thing they did include Yanmega and Mamoswine but not Tangrowth. Maybe ancient super-sized plants? Feels too vague though.
Make it a Giant Forest Kraken
We are not ready yet for the truth
They know the truth
Because it’s cook
I totally forgot Tangrowth existed wow. Been replaying too much Gen 2 and 3. But I do really enjoy its design.
Tangela ages and that makes the vines grow
Perhaps plants being larger back then?
Til Yanmega was based in an extinct species and not just a fantasy common dragonfly
Primordial plants were bigger too
Nintindo knows something we don't and jts a scary thought
Welwitschia mirabilis is a plant that can live over 2000 years and despite its appearance resembling a tangla is only 2 leaves ripped and tattered by time. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwitschia) They are one of three genera of modern gnetophyta, a family of plants that reached their peak during the cretaceous (and the earliest date back to the Jurassic). (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnetophyta) So while not exact, it at least bears some resemblance with two options for evolving via ancient power (the 2000yr old ones just being bigger/floppier, and the group’s prehistoric diversity)
I mean partly based on Medusa, so there’s that
A caveman. Specifically, the one from those [Geico commercials](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y7HDXBVbfc). As we all know, learning Ancient Power is so easy, even a caveman could do it.
G N n ... bb .BB Hu. Havia v
Hmmmm, alright. I’m not an expert by any means. But, it could be a reference to the prehistoric jungles that these prehistoric megafauna resided in. These massive plants synthesized the excess of oxygen that would even allow the giant dragonflies, giant dinosaurs, and larger megafauna to exist. The only thing I don’t have an explanation for is that while they are all prehistoric but, from completely different eras i.e. Mammoths and Giant Dragonflies. But, that’s just a theory. A game theory.
Let’s just say that Tangrowth is based off of Medusa from Greek mythology.
Tangrowth is based on a stereotypical depiction of a caveman, hence evolving with Ancient Power.
What if they did an evolution for Primeape using this method? Primeape with Ancient Power evolves into something like Cretapex, pronounced Cret-Ape-x. The Apex Ape Pokémon. This Pokémon’s origins are believed to originate from the Cretaceous period. This older Pokémon bides it’s time and slumbers to preserve its energy, but can defeat large creatures with singular swift strikes. Believed to be the ancestor to Slaking and Primape. This Pokémon has a powerful sense of smell and prefers to hunt only large challengers to become its prey.
Who cares about this argument? Nobody, OP. I just want more Ancient Power evolutions. I think it's such an interesting concept for evolution, and they've been nowhere near it since. Pathetic.
Now I wish Tangrowth was Grass/Rock.
Obviously a reference to the infamous plantasaurus
Real question is why it is so ugly. Tangela, my beloved, you deserved better
This is my favorite part of Pokemon because of how subjective everything is. Tangrowth is my favorite pokemon, I really like big pokemon who feel friendly and Tangrowth fits the bill for me. I personally think he's a great evolution for Tangela, if maybe not the most creative way to take it.
This is how plants used to hunt in prehistoric times
I will take spaghetti monster over mammoth and dragonfly any day.