Zarude is a simian Pokémon with a baboon or mandrill-like appearance. Its body is mostly covered in coarse black fur, with gray fur patterning its chest and belly. Its upper snout, palms, and the rings around its eyes are bare, revealing light gray skin. The fur on the sides of its head forms distinctive wing-like crests above each eye, and its eyes stand out with red sclerae, green irises, and black slitted pupils. Its teeth are sharp and pointed, with visible canines even when its mouth is closed.
One of Zarude's defining traits is its ability to extend prehensile vines from its wrists, neck, and the soles of its feet. These vines are strong and flexible—useful for attacking, swinging through trees, and grabbing food from a distance. They can also rapidly heal wounds when wrapped around them and draw energy directly from trees. When resting, only the vine tips at its neck and feet show; the vines from its wrists typically stay wrapped in four concentric rings around its forearms. The vines occasionally shed and break off, becoming nutrients for forest soil. Interestingly, the number of vines a Zarude has can vary and may indicate age or social standing, with the most vines suggesting an older or more dominant individual.
Zarude are intensely social creatures that live in troops, though they're known for being incredibly aggressive and territorial. They attack anything outside their pack and have earned a fearsome reputation among other Pokémon. In battle, they're formidable opponents thanks to sharp claws and quick thinking.
Dada
Despite their typical aggression, some Zarude have shown a gentler side. A notable individual nicknamed "Dada" abandoned its pack to raise and care for an orphaned human child. Wearing a distinctive pink ripped cape bearing Celebi's National Pokédex number, this Zarude developed a unique strength from its bond with the adopted infant. Dada appeared prominently in Secrets of the Jungle alongside a tribe of Zarude with unusual physical characteristics.
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