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#the Zangoose are causing problems so I'm trying to figure it all out
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Personal Field Notes #006: Dragonite!
This one’s a bit self-indulgent, but admittedly I’m just getting to sit down and properly chill out for the first time in days as we deal with an… unexpected guest in the woods. This batch of notes is gonna be off the top of my head for the most part, and the bias will be obvious, but what can I say? I’ll very likely get to doing one of these for each of the species I have on my team, so keep an eye out for notes on Vespiquen and Appletun in the future. But, let’s talk Dragonite.
Dragonites are like most three-stage evolution Dragon species in the sense that each evolution can be pretty clearly tiered in terms of care. The baby stage, as I call it, is relatively easy to care for and beginner friendly. Second stage is intermediate, and third stage is advanced/very difficult. This is the case for most three-stage evolution Pokemon, but Dragon types are somewhat of a drastic example, and Dragonites are no exception. 
Dratini are relatively easy to care for; they need good exercise that’s easily done by a beginner trainer or a kid who likes to run, they like heat and sunbathing, they’re omnivorous at this stage, and the most difficult part of the care is honestly helping them with their shed. Dragonair, on the other hand, require a LOT of exercise as they adjust to their new size and prepare for their very drastic evolution. They require more shade than a Dratini and enjoy being misted, not unlike a floral Grass type, because it helps keep them from drying out and getting overly dry skin. They’re still omnivores, but Dragonairs get a real taste for meat, and they can eat a lot of food! They have a big evolution to prepare for and are constantly building up to that. They become quite competitive at this stage, so battling as part of their exercise is a must, or they might become sad and lethargic. They shed more frequently than a Dratini, and they need assistance with this! Misting seriously helps- keeps everything from getting too sticky and keeps them from getting cranky if it gets stuck. 
Then you’ve got Dragonites. Dragonites require either full days out and about, or a really intense bout of exercise followed by rest. Personally, I keep Cloudhopper pretty much exclusively out a Pokeball and she roams freely. She knows and understands boundaries, and generally sticks close to me, and I’m not worried about her running into trouble because she can easily take care of herself if she happens to get into a battle situation with a wild Pokemon. When I can I do give her plenty of exercise- we go for walks, we train, and we often take flights together. I only have her in a Pokeball if I have to and she’s never in it onsite here. It’s a personal preference of mine with my entire team, and it works well for her needs. 
Dragonites are also almost entirely carnivorous. They’ll eat some greens, and it’s good for them, but the vast majority of their diet is gonna be meat. They’ll be happiest with anything you get while fishing cooked up, they love seafood and especially fatty cuts of meat will be their preference, but each Dragonite is different. Cloudhopper, as an example, isn’t a picky eater and she really loves spicy food. Some Dragonites will eat anything not unlike a garbage disposal, while others are super picky. Oh, and I think this goes without saying, but they need to eat a LOT of food. Berries are good snacks, so is a standard Dragon type kibble. Keep their meals rich and meaty to keep them healthy and happy and full, and be prepared to provide lots of snacks. 
Dragonites aren’t super picky about sun and shade. They don’t like a lot of cold, however, so having a warm place to keep out of harsher winters will keep them happy. If it gets really dry they might get uncomfortable, but this is easily remedied with a good old-fashioned misting down. They don’t shed as often as even a Dratini, but they do shed, and they do need some help because their claws can only do so much. If a Dragonite is excessively scratching, they probably have some stuck shed making them itch, and you’ll be their best friend forever if you get it off for them. They love water, so it’s easy to spray them down and help them out of it’s really stuck. I don’t recommend approaching a wild Dragonite for this unless you’re a trained professional, though. 
Dragonites have a reputation for being cute and cuddly with friendly faces. A lot of people make the assumption that they’re gentle giants who wouldn’t harm a fly. It’s a dangerous assumption to make- Dragonites might appear more gentle than a Dragon like a Salamence, but they’re still just as capable of being just as fierce. Dragonites are viciously protective and are known to be extremely territorial. They’re an incredibly competitive species on top of that, and will rise to anything they see as a challenge. Wild Dragonites won’t hesitate to mercilessly attack anything that comes near their young if they deem it a threat. I never recommend approaching a wild Dragonite unless you’re a trained professional. 
Let’s look at Cloudhopper. I’ve had her for over a decade, and I’ve raised her since she was a Dratini. She’s still incredibly protective of myself and the people in my life, and she’s taken on both attacking wild Pokemon and more unsavoury types of people to protect us in the past. She’s always with me when I’m out in the field because she’s the strongest member of my team who can get us out of bad situations with the most ease, and in the few missions I’ve taken dealing with poachers she’s been by my side. Her competitive nature was aided by her training as a battle partner when I was a trainer, but I haven’t been a trainer in a very long time, and she’s never lost her edge. Our bond is what makes her so fiercely protective, and it’s not something I’ve trained into her, it’s just how she is! Granted, it works out in our favour, because I’m often called a magnet for trouble, which I can’t really argue against. 
I’m very biased towards Dragonites. Cloudhopper is my partner, I’ve had her most of my life, we grew up together. She’s a big part of the reason my initial research focus was Dragon types. She takes a lot of care but it’s never felt like work to me, we fit together perfectly and I can’t imagine myself having any other Pokemon as my partner. I haven’t met many wild Dragonites, they’re quite elusive and live in areas not easily accessed, but the ones I have encountered are beautiful and incredibly powerful. They’re not a species to be underestimated, nor should they be handled or approached by anybody without proper training and experience. They make for great partners for trainers who can take on the challenge of raising a Dragon type, and are also great flight Pokemon. You just have to be up to the challenge and able to work with their needs, which get more and more difficult as they evolve from a Dratini to their final, massive form. 
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