The fiery tufts on its head, its coloration, and its overall body shape together make it resemble a chili pepper, like the ghost pepper. Fuecoco appears to be based on a baby crocodile, although it has some similarities to theropod dinosaurs and crocodile toys. Hogator may be a combination of 火 ho (fire), ほげー hogē (onomatopoeia for being dumbfounded), fogata (Spanish for campfire) or hoguera (Spanish for bonfire), and gator. They were also the first Generation IX Pokémon to be revealed to the public on February 27, 2022, through a Pokémon Presents video presentation.

Its Fire typing may be inspired by the fact that crocodiles release excess heat through their mouths. In the manga In the TCG Main article: Fuecoco (TCG) Game data Pokédex entries This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX. Check the Bulbagarden home page for up-to-date Pokémon news and discuss it on the forums or in the Bulbagarden Discord server. Along with Sprigatito and Quaxly, Fuecoco is one of three starter Pokémon of Paldea available at the beginning of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.Given its final evolution, the light color of its face and snout might be inspired by a calavera design, commonly found in the celebration of the Day of the Dead. The energy releases in the form of two bright yellow tufts of flame on top of its head; should Fuecoco get excited, more of these tufts of flame may emerge. The scales absorb external heat, such as from warm rocks where it lies on, to be turned into fire energy.

Fuecoco has black eyes and triangular nostrils, and its mouth has three teeth, with one in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw.