Clay
RHINO. And Rhinos can swim:
"But (Pokemon) is based on (Animal) and they swim yet (Pokemon) can't learn Surf!"
There's also some additional factors we need to take into account here:
- Many of the odd Pokemon that learn Surf are from generations where Surf was a major HM required to progress through a lot of the game. Cut, Strength, Flash, Rock Climb, and even Dive and Waterfall are very situational and you only use them a handful of times which, if you switched up your party to have a Pokemon that can use the HM, you could then switch back to the Pokemon you actually want to train at the next Pokemon Center (or go back and get the other Pokemon if the HM was only needed for a side path). But Surf is notable where you, for the part of the game you need to be surfing, you're stuck with the Pokemon that knows Surf likely until the end of the game. So, not to force anyone from having to give up a Pokemon they want to train at the middle-end of the game, GF was generous with what Pokemon got Surf as long as there was some logical sense.
- If it was a Water-type it auto got it for the above reason. A lot of Dragon-types got it too cause many were given a connection to water.
- But, incase someone didn't use a Water-type, they had to be sure a handful of non-Water-types got it. So there's one more rule, let's see if you notice it with the list of non-Water-types that get Surf:
Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Lickitung family, Rhydon & Rhyperior, Kangaskhan, Tauros, Snorlax, Sentret family, Sneasel family, Miltank, Tyranitar, Zigzagoon family, Exploud, Makuhita family, Aggron, Rampardos, Herdier & Stoutland, Audino, Cubchoo family, Stunfisk, Bouffalant, Bunnelby family, Skiddo family, Pancham family, Furfrou, Swirlix family, Helioptile family, & Bergmite family.
Still can't figure it out? What if I remind you that Surf is Special move? Now you see it, a lot of the non-Water-types that get Surf are Pokemon which lean Physical, defensive, or Special Attack ain't so good (except for Helioptile, but it has a pretty good reason to get Surf regardless so they let it slide; makes it unique and an exception that proves the rule). Not look at the list for Waterfall, behold how most of these Pokemon that learn Surf are oddly not on the Waterfall list even though its a HM too. Well, that's because not only is Waterfall a situational HM you only need for a few moments, but it's also a Physical move and giving it an equally wide distribution to the above would be giving those Pokemon a powerful coverage. But Surf, in battle it's mostly useless to them and probably even a non-STAB Normal move would be a better option as long as it goes off its Attack (or there's a useful status move it rather know).
However, come Gen VII where they completely remove Surf's function as a HM, and you suddenly notice really only Water-types and aquatic-based Pokemon are getting Surf.
That's not a nice thing to say about Mr. Stake fans... even if its likely true (trees don't headbutt themselves you know).