Although Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are less than two months away from release, Nintendo has been playing their cards close to the chest regarding the new pocket monsters who will be appearing in the game. So far, only a handful of new Pokemon have been revealed, including the starter trio of Fuecoco, Quaxly, and Sprigatito and the Legendary Pokemon Koraidon and Miraidon. However, on September 28, fans got a look at one brand-new creature who will be appearing in the Paldea region.
Revealed in footage claiming to originate from the “World Pokemon Ecological Society Webinar,” Wiglett is a long white Pokemon with a bright pink nose. It lives near water and can generally be found buried in sand, although it can extend its body if needed. It may be based on a garden eel, a type of eel that similarly likes to bury itself in the sand. Wiglett’s type was not revealed in the footage, but fans are speculating that it will be at least part Water-type, potentially a Water/Ground-type hybrid.
Wiglett immediately drew attention for its resemblance to Diglett, a Ground-type Pokemon native to the Kanto region and first revealed in the original Pokemon games. Initially, the Pokemon researchers commenting on the new footage speculated that Wiglett was either a regional variation of Diglett or a new evolution. However, it was eventually confirmed that Wiglett was instead a separate species of Pokemon entirely. Wiglett’s similarity to Diglett seems to be inspired by the real world phenomenon of “convergent evolution,” where species that occupy similar ecological niches evolve similar features despite not being closely related genetically.
Serebii Video: Footage of the new Pokémon, Wiglett, from the World Pokémon Ecological Society Webinar https://t.co/FlR3KE4POehttps://t.co/gDbXkHT3ar pic.twitter.com/RfhjVEqNgD
— Serebii.net (@SerebiiNet) September 28, 2022
Diglett and its evolution Dugtrio previously received a regional form in Pokemon Sun and Moon, growing long blonde “hair” and gaining a secondary Steel typing. This caused some surprise among fans that another Diglett-like Pokemon appeared only two generations later, although it is not a regional form. So far, the only Pokemon confirmed to be receiving a Paldean regional form is Wooper. Paldean Wooper is a Poison/Ground-type Pokemon that lives in bogs and expels poison through its gills when attacking. Nintendo has not yet revealed whether other regional forms or “convergent evolution” Pokemon like Wiglett will appear in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Fan response to Wiglett was mixed, with some finding it cute and others feeling that it was too soon for another Diglett-like Pokemon to appear after Alolan Diglett was released so recently. What do you think of Wiglett? Will you be adding one to your team in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? What other Pokemon would you like to see gain regional Paldean forms or “convergent evolution” variations in the upcoming games? Comment below and let us know!
