Kabutops Report

Kabutops (the Shellfish Pokémon) is an exceptionally rare Rock/Water-type Pokémon found among tropical shallow coastal oceans and beaches worldwide, though only in exceptionally limited numbers. While they might not be the strongest of beasts out there, Kabutops are nonetheless vicious creatures that can easily prove to be too much for all but heavily-armored Pokémon to handle. They might not be able to utilize their natural Water-type abilities to do much in battle, but that will probably matter little once they've managed to cut the opposition to ribbons faster than they can blink!

Kabuto and Kabutops represent an interesting case of development and survival that has yet to be fully understood by modern science. While Kabuto represent a distinct type of horseshoe crab, Kabutops are strikingly different in that they share traits from both eurypterids and horseshoe crabs both physiologically and behaviorally. It is hypothesized that Kabutops may actually be part of the class Chasmataspidida (as their body form bears a striking similarity to that of Chasmataspis laurencii), which is directly related to both of these other groups, but its true affiliation is still uncertain as the phylogenic relationship between these three groups of organisms has yet to be fully determined. Interestingly, fossils of these beasts are extremely widespread throughout Ordovician-age rocks and are associated with such a wide range of locations that it is difficult to understand their exact environmental tolerances, though modern studies of these creatures demonstrate that they can tolerate a surprising variety of environments as long as they are in relatively warm bodies of saltwater. These creatures possess both lungs and gills that enable them to survive equally on land and in the water with little trouble, but there seems to be a split in regards to which environment each species specializes in. Kabuto are offensively strong despite their small size, but their range of physical attacks is fairly limited and they thus prefer to remain under the water and near the ocean floor in shallow marine areas where large predators are less plentiful, only crawling up onto beaches during mating season to spawn. Kabutops, on the other hand, are evenly divided between the two environments and almost never go into the water when not hunting. Perhaps the most striking feature of the family, however, is the fact that while Kabutops are known to have been extinct in the wild before Kabuto were brought back to life from Dome Fossils, Kabuto are not; in fact, the species is found on rare occasions still occupying natural beaches in the wild today, a feat more than tremendous in the context of their long fossil history.

Kabutops (known by some as "Kabutops maximis") are a fascinating page in the story of evolution, as they represent one of the few living examples of recognizable lifestyle change. Unlike Kabuto, which are designed for simple lives in shallow marine environments, Kabutops demonstrate a dramatic shift in anatomy that suggests that the species as a whole may have been transitioning from a life in the water to one on land but was unable to make a full transition before going extinct under unknown circumstances. This is particularly evident in their mobility and breathing functions, as the lower bodies of Kabutops have developed into a pair of sturdy walking legs suitable for rugged terrain (though they retained their telson) and they are able to use their large lungs to remain on land for much longer periods of time than Kabuto ever could. This change in habitat has also led to an equally important change in their hunting habits. Kabutops remain out of the water for the majority of their life and only ever submerge themselves when hunting; even so, their past association with the liquid is more than present, as they are able to swim at a speed of approximately 29 knots by wiggling their bodies rapidly and tucking in their front appendages so as to make their body even more streamlined than they already are (which is very much so as a result of their unique head-shape). In battle and while hunting, Kabutops rarely resort to attacking with energy-draining moves like Kabuto and instead employ the two massive, sickle-like appendages on their front limbs to attack; though quite menacing from afar and up close, these sickles are nothing too freakish in reality and are merely overgrown claws that have completely taken over their front limbs. Regardless, these appendages enable Kabutops to slice through skin and thin armor with ease, especially if they are boosting through the water and are closing in on a target, and provide them with impressive physical offenses as well as the ability to learn the Slash attack immediately after evolving and even the Feint and Night Slash attacks with a bit of artificial help. Once their prey has been subdued, Kabutops will proceed to drain their victim of their vital fluids before moving on, leaving the carcass of the prey behind for other creatures to feed upon. It is duly noted that Kabutops are not the most powerful Rock or Water-type Pokémon around when it comes to physical offense or defense despite how sturdy their shell is, but these creatures are nonetheless something that should be feared by any trainer without ready access to special attacks.

While they may not have enough in the way of special features to make their viciousness worth risking, Kabutops are lethal creatures that can certainly give intermediate and even some expert trainers a difficult time in battle. With razor-sharp appendages sure put one heck of a dent in anything without armor and a brutal temperament even trainers can't completely handle, it can definitely be said that these fossil shellfish can make great partners for trainers bold enough to try them out. If you do so, though, make sure not to take them out to a public pool if you can; these ancient creatures have yet to fully adjust to the modern world, and it's unlikely that the local neighborhood is going to be very happy when your Kabutops starts hunting small children that are just trying to have a little fun!

Professor Wormwood