Name: Ninetales
Classification: Fox
Type: Fire
Number: 038
Evolution: Vulpix – Ninetales (fire stone)
Height: 1.16 m
Weight: 22-30 kg
Animal type: Mammal, maned wolf
Habitat: Tall grasslands, woodlands
Description: Ninetales are one of the most loved pokémon worldwide. Their beauty and intelligence make them both excellent pets and battle pokémon. Originally, they hail from fields and forests in warm climates, where they live solitary except for the mating season, but they seem to thrive in almost any environment. Its silky fur starts out with a creamy colour, and darkens to gold over the course of its long life. In the right light, such as the warm light of a clear sunset, the sight of Ninetales’ shiny fur is absolutely astonishing. However, it starts life as one of 2-6 dark brown furred pups. During its second year of life, its fur changes to its well known colour. It hunts small prey, including small mammals, birds, fish and other pokémon. However, a large part of its diet consists of plant matter. It is important for owners of Ninetales to provide balanced food for this pokémon. Its eyes are a bright red, illuminated from the inside by the fire that rages inside this pokémon’s Hirsch-organ (an organ most fire pokémon possess, where their internal fire is kindled), which is located unusually high up its throat. Most tribes from Ninetales’ region of origin considered these eyes to either curse the one looked upon – in which case Ninetales were killed to prevent them from spreading evil – or protect the bearer – in which case Ninetales were killed to take their eyes as amulets. Because the tribes were small, no significant damage was done to the Ninetales populations. However, when human settlers brought fire arms to the region, many Ninetales were shot for their eyes and fur. Seventy years ago, it was an endangered species. With the outlawing of the trade in Ninetales’ fur and sufficient protection in its home region, populations have stabilized. The tribes that used to make money with the trade in fur, now mostly give guided tours to see Ninetales in the wild, telling the myths of their respective tribes along the way. These myths are certainly worth hearing. The M’gabe tribe beliefs that the souls of nine shamans reincarnated in the first Ninetales. According to this tribe, Ninetales puts a curse on anyone who pulls one of its tails. The neighbouring Nanbuta tribe beliefs that Ninetales are as intelligent as humans and can control the minds of humans by looking at them. Though it is true that Ninetales are highly intelligent and can understand up to 500 words, they can not, as is often thought, understand human speech in any meaningful way. Neither does it curse people. It does have an excellent memory and is very vengeful. It is important for trainers to always treat their Ninetales well, because they will never forget even a single angry moment. Also, a trainer must be very careful if he wishes to have more than one Ninetales. They are fiercely territorial and may attack each other on sight. A problem often encountered with pet Ninetales is that they use urine to communicate – and thus, spray it all over everything. This behaviour can be stopped with proper training.

Colour by  Ileana. Go check out her art!
If anyone else wants to colour it, I have the b&w version on my computer, so just note me.

And in the latest games, the tips of Ninetales' tails are coloured differently. In all the previous games, it was just one colour, but not since Diamond/Pearl.

Request for  kogie