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Some KAAAANTOOO Pokemon that represent human misdeeds or contributions like the pollution mons or Voltorb have been made into naturally occuring species or are at least implied to be i.e. Koffing live in volcanos, even in Kitakami and Hoenn, so there might be a chance they just kinda always existed as a natural species.
Could Muk & Grimer exist in eras of old where mass pollution is less of a problem, or thing even? The term "sludge" is something I find quite vague. Heck, naturally occuring Pokemon like Tentacool can use Sludge Wave, is that actual, literal sludge that the moon rays can turn into Grimer?