Tauros is a Pokémon from the Pokémon video game series, #128 in the National Pokédex, and of Normal type. Its appearance is that of a light brown bull, with a thicker, darker coat of fur near its head, a series of (possibly) jewels adorning its forehead, and three whiplike tails. It is said that Tauros use their tails to whip themselves into movement.

Name origin

Tauros is derived from the Latin taurus, "bull". The Japanese name, Kentarosu, is derived from the Arabic kentaurus, "centaur".

Availability

In the first generation of Pokemon games (Red, Blue, and Yellow), Tauros could only be found by paying entrance into the Safari Zone . In Gold, Silver and Crystal, it can be found on routes 38 and 39, in the morning and daytime in Crystal and all day otherwise. In all instances, it is rather rare to encounter a Tauros.

Pokédex entries

• Red, Blue: When it targets an enemy, it charges furiously while whipping its body with its long tails.
• Yellow: A rowdy POKEMON with a lot of stamina. Once running, it won't stop until it hits something.
• Stadium: Charges while whipping its hefty body with its tails. Although powerful, it can charge only in a straight line.
• Gold, Stadium 2: They fight each other by locking horns. The herd's protector takes pride in its battle-scarred horns.
• Silver: After heightening its will to fight by whipping itself with its three tails, it charges at full speed.
• Crystal: These violent POKEMON fight with other members of their herd in order to prove their strength.

Anime appearances

In one episode of the anime (banned for broadcast in the US for its use of gunplay), Ash and his friends found themselves in the Safari Zone. As a joke regarding its rarity in the games, Ash ended up catching practically a whole herd of Tauros, at the expense of the Pokémon he was actually battling against. They usually reside in Professor Oak's lab in a herd.

In another episode, the group was travelling to Goldenrod City when they came by a town that was celebrating some sort of festival, with chances to battle and trade -- and an event paralleling the San Fermin festival and the running of the bulls at Pamplona, Spain.

External links

• Game information
• Information on the second episode, "Tricks of the Trade"