Turtwig is a small, light green, quadrupedal Pokémon resembling a turtle or tortoise. Its eyes, feet, and lower jaw are yellow. Its body is covered by a brown shell that is composed of earth. The shell has a thick black stripe and a black rim. On a very healthy Turtwig, the shell should feel moist. A small seedling grows on a brown patch on its head. This seedling will wilt if the Pokémon becomes thirsty.
Since it is a plant-based Pokémon, Turtwig usually nourishes itself through photosynthesis; it becomes more energetic when exposed to enough sunlight. It also drinks water, which hardens its soil-based shell. Due to its status as a starter Pokémon, a wild Turtwig is hard to come by and it is generally found under the ownership of Trainers
Turtwig appeared as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl along with the other starter Pokémon in the game (Piplup appeared as a Poké Ball Pokémon in addition to being a trophy). The following is Turtwig's trophy description:
Trophy descriptions[]
"A Tiny Leaf Pokemon. Despite its animal appearance, Turtwig actually has vegetation sprouting from its head. The shell on its back is made of soil and hardens when it drinks water. Much like a plant, Turtwig performs photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight and making oxygen. It also relies heavily on water to keep its plant healthy and thus spends a lot of time near lakes."
In the anime[]
Turtwig first appeared in the made for TV anime Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, which was in a way a preview for the upcoming television show. In the anime, Turtwig appeared along side the other starter Pokémon Chimchar and Piplup.
Turtwig is the second Pokémon that Ash catches in Sinnoh. In the episode where Ash catches him, Team Rocket kidnaps Ash's Pikachu. Soon after they escaped in their balloon, it crashed. Noticing that the Pikachu was in trouble, Turtwig defended him against the team. Once Ash arrived, Turtwig thought falsely that they were trying to capture Pikachu, so Turtwig grabbed the tired Pokémon and ran. Later on, the misunderstandings were forgiven, and at the end of the show, Turtwig joins Ash's team. By the time the series nearly ended, it evolved into a Torterra.
Turtwig briefly appeared in Pokémon Evolutions under the ownership of a Trainer in the reception hall of the Battle Tower.
In the manga[]
In the manga, the character Diamond has a Turtwig.
Pokémon Trading Card Game[]
Currently there are three Turtwig cards available in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In March 2007, Pokémon USA released a limited edition collectors level 10 Turtwig card along with their partner starter Pokémon (Chimchar Lv. 8 and Piplup Lv. 9).
Worldwide cards:
Diamond & Pearl, as Turtwig Lv. 10, Grass-type common card.
This Pokémon becomes more energetic the more sunlight there is. The part resembling a shell is similar to silt and is slightly damp and warm to the touch.
Starter Pokémon from Professor Rowan's briefcase near Lake Verity Grand Underground - Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern (post National Dex)
Starter Pokémon from Professor Rowan's briefcase near Lake Verity Grand Underground - Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern (post National Dex)