Pokemon crocodiles come from all over the crocodile family tree. One looks like an alligator, one like a Nile crocodile with a gharial's long snout, and one wears a skull from a Spanish crocodile legend. The list runs from a baby crocodilian to a singing ghost.
Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokemon, is based on a baby crocodilian. The yellow marking on its chest may be a reference to the yellow stripes on young American alligators, and the crest on its back is similar to a mohawk, which may point to its boisterous personality. In Pokemon Sleep, Totodile and its evolutions are revealed to sleep with one eye open, like real crocodiles.
Its jaws are very powerful despite its small body, and while it may think it is only playfully nipping, its bite has enough power to cause serious injury, and we will keep our fingers to ourselves.
Its Torrent ability (an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle) makes its Water moves deal 1.5× damage once it is down to 1/3 of its max HP or less.
#159
Croconaw
#159
Type
Water
Category
Big Jaw Pokémon
National Dex
#0159
Debut
Gen II
Base stat total
405
Croconaw is based on a crocodilian, with a prehistoric theme on top. Its head spikes and chest patterns seem to be based on the wild hair and animal-skin cloth worn by cavemen, while its head resembles that of a theropod dinosaur. The crest on its head carries the mohawk forward.
Once Croconaw has clamped its jaws on its foe, it will absolutely not let go. The tips of its fangs are forked back like barbed fishhooks, so they become impossible to remove once they have sunk in. (We would like to speak to the manager about a bite with a no-returns policy.)
#160
Feraligatr
#160
Type
Water
Category
Big Jaw Pokémon
National Dex
#0160
Debut
Gen II
Base stat total
530
Feraligatr is based on a crocodilian and visually resembles an alligator. The yellow marking on its belly might be a reference to the yellow stripes on young American alligators. Its Mega Evolution (a stronger form some Pokemon take in battle) carries a Totodile-shaped dorsal fin that resembles the headpiece of a mascot costume, and it may reference crocodile species that carry their young in their jaws, inverted here, since the fin encloses Feraligatr's own head.
It intimidates foes by opening its huge mouth, and in battle it kicks the ground hard with its thick hind legs to charge at an incredible speed. (We also kick the ground before charging, which is how we leave the sofa.)
It stands 2.3 m tall.
#551
Sandile
#551
Type
GroundDark
Category
Desert Croc Pokémon
National Dex
#0551
Debut
Gen V
Base stat total
292
Sandile, the Desert Croc Pokemon, is based on a baby crocodile, with traits from the slender-snouted crocodile, the spectacled caiman and the Nile crocodile. The marking around its eyes resembles a mask or sunglasses. We look like that on holiday, minus the swimming. It moves through the desert as if it is swimming, pushing sand aside as it goes, which may reference the sandfish skink, named for burrowing and moving through sand as if it is swimming. Sandile is small, but its legs and lower body are powerful.
Its Intimidate ability lowers the opponent's Attack one stage when it enters battle.
#552
Krokorok
#552
Type
GroundDark
Category
Desert Croc Pokémon
National Dex
#0552
Debut
Gen V
Base stat total
351
Krokorok, the Desert Croc Pokemon, is based on a crocodile, more specifically a slender-snouted crocodile and the Nile crocodile. It could also be based on Baryonyx, a fish-eating, slender-snouted dinosaur that heavily resembled a crocodilian. The black membrane surrounding its eyes could be a reference to night goggles.
It has specialized eyes that let it see in the dark, but Krokorok won't move much at night, because the desert gets cold after sunset, and we also prefer a warm bed.
Its Moxie ability raises its Attack one stage each time it knocks out a Pokemon.
#553
Krookodile
#553
Type
GroundDark
Category
Intimidation Pokémon
National Dex
#0553
Debut
Gen V
Base stat total
519
Krookodile, the Intimidation Pokemon, is based on the slender-snouted crocodile and the Nile crocodile, and possibly a gharial, due to its long snout. Its Ground type may point to Quinkana, an extinct crocodilian that once lived on land in Australia, and in line with its Dark type, it may also be based on a gang leader. Its ability to spot things from a distance could be a reference to tactical binoculars used in field missions.
It is terribly aggressive, yet has the patience to stay hidden under sand for days, lying in wait for prey, something we could never do without checking a phone.
#909
Fuecoco
#909
Type
Fire
Category
Fire Croc Pokémon
National Dex
#0909
Debut
Gen IX
Base stat total
310
Fuecoco, the Fire Croc Pokemon, is based on a baby crocodile, although it has some similarities to theropod dinosaurs and crocodile-shaped toys. Its Fire type may come from the fact that crocodiles release excess heat through their mouths, and its fiery tufts and round shape make it resemble a chili pepper. It may also reference the Drac de Na Coca, an Iberian crocodile legend whose preserved body with an exposed skull may have inspired the line's skeletal look.
Its flame sac is small, so energy is always leaking out of the dent atop its head, which we call a Monday. It stands 0.4 m tall.
#910
Crocalor
#910
Type
Fire
Category
Fire Croc Pokémon
National Dex
#0910
Debut
Gen IX
Base stat total
411
Crocalor resembles a crocodile with a calavera pattern, the skull design of the Day of the Dead. The fire on its head resembles a nest for its egg-shaped fireball, which may reference crocodilians that balance sticks on their heads to lure nest-building birds. It may also come from the trochilus, a legendary bird depicted in a cleaning partnership with the Nile crocodile. The headpiece also resembles a sombrero, and with the calavera pattern it may suggest a hat-wearing skeleton mariachi, which could explain its link to singing.
The valve in its flame sac is closely connected to its vocal cords, so it utters a guttural cry as it spews flames. At karaoke we manage the guttural cry, but never the flames.
#911
Skeledirge
#911
Type
FireGhost
Category
Singer Pokémon
National Dex
#0911
Debut
Gen IX
Base stat total
530
Skeledirge, the Singer Pokemon, resembles a crocodile with a skull pattern or a calavera on its forehead. Its singing and "suited" look resemble a singer in rock music, mariachi or opera, and its Ghost type may come from the Day of the Dead. It may also reference the Drac de Na Coca and the ghostly Cocollona, crocodile legends from the Iberian Peninsula. The "hatched" fiery bird on its head may be based on the trochilus, and its place on the snout may come from the bulb on the tip of male gharials' snouts, which helps them make certain sounds.
Its gentle singing soothes the souls of all that hear it, and it burns its enemies with flames of over 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit, and we would still buy a ticket. It weighs 326.5 kg in total.
Every Crocodile Line Starts Under 0.8 m and Ends at 1.5 m or More
Totodile is 0.6 m tall and grows into Feraligatr at 2.3 m. Sandile goes from 0.7 m to Krookodile's 1.5 m, and Fuecoco from 0.4 m to Skeledirge's 1.6 m. The lines also share a real crocodile habit, since in Pokemon Sleep the Totodile and Fuecoco lines sleep with one eye open.
Crocodile Pokemon FAQ
How many crocodile Pokemon are there?
There are 9 crocodile Pokemon: Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr, Sandile, Krokorok, Krookodile, Fuecoco, Crocalor and Skeledirge.
What is the strongest crocodile Pokemon?
Feraligatr and Skeledirge tie at a base stat total of 530. Krookodile has the highest Attack on the list at 117.
Is Feraligatr an alligator?
Yes, mostly. Feraligatr is based on a crocodilian, and it visually resembles an alligator.
Is Skeledirge a crocodile?
Yes. Skeledirge resembles a crocodile with a calavera on its forehead, and it ties into crocodile legends from the Iberian Peninsula.
Is Krookodile legendary?
No. Krookodile is an ordinary Pokemon that evolves from Krokorok at level 40.
