a Rafflesia arnoldii flower in a forest

Wacky Weekend: Real-Life Pokémon

You’ve met the characters—now meet the real-world animals behind some of your favorites from Pokémon GO. Take a look at the platypus, beetle, and other Pokémon look-alikes in the photo gallery below.

FLOWER POWER: Vileplume looks a whole lot like the Rafflesia arnoldii corpse flower of Southeast Asia, known for producing the world’s biggest single bloom. But plug your nose if you see one—it’s also incredibly stinky.
Photograph by Mitsuhiko Imamori, Nature Production, Minden Pictures
<i>GET THE SCOOP:</i> Like the water-dwelling Psyduck, the duck-billed platypus—an Australian mammal—is easily identified by its bill. The animal uses it to scoop up tasty snacks like worms and shellfish.<br>
GET THE SCOOP: Like the water-dwelling Psyduck, the duck-billed platypus—an Australian mammal—is easily identified by its bill. The animal uses it to scoop up tasty snacks like worms and shellfish.
Photograph by Dave Watts, NPL, Minden Pictures

More to explore!