Comment on Amphibian Pokemon by DragonlordRynn
Slowpoke is a salamander. As long they're young, they're slowpokes. At some point in their lives, they grow a very tough armor around their tails for defensive purposes; male and female alike, though it seems males are more likely to grow such armor.
They like laying their eggs into caverns or large shells like those of freshwater Shellder- which has nothing to do with real sea-water shellder, by the way. So it is not unusual to see Slopoke and/or Slowbro sitting inside shells.
Mind you, the growth into Slowbro only happens if the young Slowpoke larva actually leave the water. If not, they retain their gills and remain in water, but grow armor on their head to break open ice for air in winter.
They like laying their eggs into caverns or large shells like those of freshwater Shellder- which has nothing to do with real sea-water shellder, by the way. So it is not unusual to see Slopoke and/or Slowbro sitting inside shells.
Mind you, the growth into Slowbro only happens if the young Slowpoke larva actually leave the water. If not, they retain their gills and remain in water, but grow armor on their head to break open ice for air in winter.