Humanity does not know the number of Sprigatito and Floragato in Paldea, and different methodologies for estimating the population give radically different answers. Some textbooks and encyclopedia claim them to be the region's most common carnivorous pokemon, while others, agreed with by many a frustrated trainer, hold that they are functionally extinct in the wild. The reason for this discrepancy is that Floragato evolves into one of the world's most skilled species of illusionist: the mysterious Meowscarada.
Life is dangerous in the wild for many an unevolved grass pokemon, for herbivores are the most common type of pokemon, and Sprigatito are no exception. But it is only Meowscarada, it must be admitted, who have hit upon the solution of hiding their children entirely from public view. They seem to have begun the practice of magic as a way to protect their kittens, but share the playful nature common to most feline pokemon, and soon learned they could also make everything from Buneary to research notes also disappear.
Meowscarada are seldom seen in other regions, for they have learned to disguise even their characteristic pollen bombs as the smoke bombs of ninjas. Yet all the same, they have long traveled the world, learning the secrets of magic from Gastly, Mr. Mime, Delphox, and the other masters of old; today, many of those pokemon venture to Paldea instead.
The library of the Uva Academy contains a back annex in which the ultimate Meowscarada spellbook is deposited; however, the doorway is to narrow for even the youngest students to enter. As payment for this service, the Meowscarada give one Sprigatito to the academy every year, who is handed out to a new trainer in the incoming class as their starting pokemon.