JoltBlog

Sandshrew (Pokmon) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokmon encyclopedia

Sandshrew (Japanese: サンド Sand) is a Ground-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Sandslash starting at level 22.

In Alola, Sandshrew has a dual-type Ice/Steel regional form. It evolves into Alolan Sandslash when exposed to an Ice Stone. These Sandshrew can also be found in Blueberry Academy's Terarium.

Biology

Sandshrew blending in with its surroundings

Sandshrew is a bipedal pholidote Pokémon (though it runs on all fours in Pokémon the Series)[1]. Its brick-patterned yellow hide is dry, and tough, blends in with desert sand, and protects its soft white underbelly and muzzle. Sandshrew has blue, almond-shaped eyes, a pointed snout, and triangular ears with white insides. Its tail is thick and conical. It has two long claws on each foot and three sharp claws on its forepaws, which are used to burrow.

Sandshrew spends much of its time hidden underground in deep burrows. It only emerges to lunge and drag in passing Bug-type Pokémon. Sandshrew can quickly curl into a tight ball to protect itself from great falls and opponents, but may also throw sand at attackers. While its body can efficiently absorb water to facilitate life in the desert, Sandshrew has been found in caves as well. It also lives deep underground in nests it has created from digging tunnels. Should hard rocks get in the way of digging, Sandshrew will use its sharp claws to remove them before continuing to dig. If it is too wet, its skin becomes wrinkly. It dries itself out by using the geothermal heat near a volcano. It is also known to bathe in sand, which helps remove dirt and moisture from its body.

Forms

Sandshrew has a regional form: Alolan Sandshrew.

In the Alola region, Sandshrew migrated to snowy mountains due to the volcanic activity near the desert areas. Its body is a light, icy blue, with a cream-colored belly and muzzle. Thicker plates form a dome around its head and its ears resemble an igloo's entrances. In adapting to this cold climate, its body became larger and heavier with a shell of hard ice covering its hide. The shell is also made of very hard steel.

This steel-like covering grants it extra defense from predators like Sneasel, but it is unable to curl into a ball like its desert counterpart; smarter predators such as Weavile exploit its soft underbelly. Alolan Sandshrew can burrow itself in the snow to avoid being blown away by blizzards. Its claws allow it to move without slipping on icy surfaces, but it slides on its stomach when it needs to move quickly.[2] A traditional Alolan custom during festivals is a competition to see who can slide Alolan Sandshrew across the ice the farthest. They can also be found in the Polar Biome of Blueberry Academy's Terarium, where Alola's island life is simulated.

Evolution

Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash.

Alolan Sandshrew evolves into Alolan Sandslash.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Alolan Sandshrew


Game data

Pokédex entries

Generation IKanto
#027
Red(JPN)(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
Green
Red(ENG)Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Blue
YellowIts body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
StadiumWhen hunting, it hides at the lip of its burrow. If prey comes close, it lunges out and drags in the prey instantly.
Generation IIJohto
#048
GoldIf it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
SilverDisliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
CrystalIt prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened.
Stadium 2If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Generation IIIHoenn
#112
Kanto
#027
RubySandshrew's body is configured to absorb water without waste, enabling it to survive in an arid desert. This Pokémon curls up to protect itself from its enemies.
SapphireSandshrew has a very dry hide that is extremely tough. The Pokémon can roll into a ball that repels any attack. At night, it burrows into the desert sand to sleep.
EmeraldWhen it curls up in a ball, it can make any attack bounce off harmlessly. Its hide has turned tough and solid as a result of living in the desert.
FireRedIt burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
LeafGreenBurrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Generation IVSinnoh
#—
Johto
#048
DiamondTo protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGoldIf it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
SoulSilverDisliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Generation VUnova
 B2  W2 : #113
BlackTo protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
White
Black 2It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
White 2
Generation VIKalos
Mountain #097
Hoenn
#117
XIt burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
YDisliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Omega RubySandshrew's body is configured to absorb water without waste, enabling it to survive in an arid desert. This Pokémon curls up to protect itself from its enemies.
Alpha SapphireSandshrew has a very dry hide that is extremely tough. The Pokémon can roll into a ball that repels any attack. At night, it burrows into the desert to sleep.
Generation VIIAlola
 S  M : #251
Alola
 US  UM : #328
Kanto
#027
SunIt can roll its body into a ball. It moves through the desert by rolling at high speeds.
MoonIt usually makes its home in deserts and arid zones, where rain does not fall. It digs holes to catch Bug-type Pokémon.
Ultra SunIt lives in areas of limited rainfall. When danger approaches, it curls up into a ball to protect its soft stomach.
Ultra MoonWhen its skin gets wrinkled from moisture, it heads for a volcano. It lies flat on a spot with a lot of geothermal heat and dries itself out.
Let's Go PikachuIts body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
Let's Go Eevee
Alolan Sandshrew
SunIt lives on snowy mountains. Its steel shell is very hard—so much so, it can't roll its body up into a ball.
MoonAn ancient tradition of Alolan festivals, still carried on to this day, is a competition to slide Sandshrew across ice as far as one can.
Ultra SunAfter fleeing a volcanic eruption, it ended up moving to an area of snowy mountains. Its ice shell is as hard as steel.
Ultra MoonThe skin on its back is as hard as steel. Predators go after its soft belly, so it clings to the ground desperately.
Let's Go PikachuIts ice-covered body lets it slide across the ground with bullet-like speed, sending its enemies flying when it hits them.
Let's Go Eevee
Generation VIIIGalar
Isle of Armor #168
Sinnoh
#—
Hisui
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
SwordIt loves to bathe in the grit of dry, sandy areas. By sand bathing, this Pokémon rids itself of dirt and moisture clinging to its body.
ShieldIt burrows into the ground to create its nest. If hard stones impede its tunneling, it uses its sharp claws to scatter them and then carries on digging.
Brilliant DiamondTo protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Shining Pearl
Alolan Sandshrew
SwordLife on mountains covered with deep snow has granted this Pokémon a body of ice that's as hard as steel.
ShieldIt lives in snowy mountains on southern islands. When a blizzard rolls in, this Pokémon hunkers down in the snow to avoid getting blown away.
Generation IXPaldea
#—
Kitakami
#116
Blueberry
#155
ScarletIt digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
VioletNo matter how high a place it falls from, this Pokémon can save itself by rolling in a ball and bouncing.
Alolan Sandshrew
ScarletIt lives on snowy mountains. Its steel shell is very hard—so much so, it can’t roll its body up into a ball.
VioletAn ancient tradition of Alolan festivals, still carried on to this day, is a competition to slide Sandshrew across ice as far as one can.

Game locations

Generation I
Generation II
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Generation IX

In side games

Generation I
Generation II
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Cross-Generation

In events

Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew

Held items

Sandshrew

Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.

Alolan Sandshrew

Stats

Base stats

Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew

Pokéathlon stats

Skill
3/5★★★☆☆

Type effectiveness

Sandshrew

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Alolan Sandshrew

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Learnset

By leveling up

Sandshrew
Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Sandshrew
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
Alolan Sandshrew
Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Sandshrew
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Sandshrew
Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Sandshrew
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
Alolan Sandshrew
Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Sandshrew
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Sandshrew
Generation IX
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Sandshrew
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
Alolan Sandshrew
Generation IX
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Sandshrew

TCG-only moves

Side game data

Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

Pokémon Rumble Rush
Rush027ABody.pngWalking Speed: 1.97 secondsBase HP: 48
Base Attack: 69Base Defense: 51Base Speed: 60

Evolution data

Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

Sprites

Generation I
Generation II
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Cross-Generation

In the anime

Main series

Major appearances

A Sandshrew appeared in The Path to the Pokémon League, under the ownership of A.J. Despite A.J.'s seemingly harsh and barbaric training methods, like using a whip on it and training in a pool, it was very loyal to him.

In Pikachu's PikaBoo, a Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon that played hide-and-seek. Sandshrew hid by camouflaging itself in front of a brick wall.

In Sandshrew's Locker!, Mira enlisted Ash and his friends to help retrieve her Sandshrew after it was lost at the bottom of an artificial lake created by a dammed river.

In Not Caving Under Pressure!, multiple Alolan Sandshrew were menaced by a Tyranitar that wanted to take over their home inside a cave at Mount Lanakila. The group's leader, a giant Sandshrew, later evolved into an Alolan Sandslash after touching an Ice Stone.

In The Lonely Hatenna, Ann revealed to Liko that she had caught herself a Sandshrew. It has since made further appearances in Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

Minor appearances

Sandshrew debuted in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where Ash and Pikachu passed three Sandshrew while being chased by a flock of wild Spearow.

Near the beginning of Clefairy and the Moon Stone, an ailing Sandshrew was seen lying down. Seymour described as it "drying out" because of the significant increase of light sources inside Mt. Moon.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Electric Shock Showdown.

In Pokémon Fashion Flash, a Sandshrew was on Scissor Street.

In Sparks Fly for Magnemite, a Sandshrew was in Gringey City's Pokémon Center.

A Sandshrew appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.

In Pikachu's Vacation, a Sandshrew was at the Pokémon Theme Park.

In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, a Sandshrew was living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.

In The Lost Lapras, a Trainer's Sandshrew was brought to the Pokémon Center.

In The Joy of Pokémon, a Trainer's Sandshrew was treated by the Nurse Joy of an unnamed island.

In The Power of One, a Sandshrew sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.

Two wild Sandshrew appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure. One of them helped the Trainers' Pokémon and Elekid save the Exeggcute nests and Togepi during a storm.

In Tanks a Lot!, multiple Sandshrew fled from Team Rocket's rampaging Arbotank.

In The Fortune Hunters, a Sandshrew was stolen by Butch and Cassidy.

In Beauty and the Breeder, a Pokémon Breeder's Sandshrew participated in a Pokémon breeding competition.

Multiple Sandshrew appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.

In Got Miltank?, a Sandshrew was an inhabitant of a Pokémon-exclusive oasis.

In Throwing in the Noctowl, two Sandshrew were living at Wings Alexander's barn.

A Sandshrew appeared in The Legend of Thunder!.

In A Tyrogue Full of Trouble, a Sandshrew received an apple from a Tyrogue.

In Showdown at the Oak Corral, two Sandshrew were living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.

In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Sandshrew to the school's underage students for use in lessons.

A Sandshrew made a brief cameo in Destiny Deoxys.

In Hi Ho Silver Wind! and Deceit and Assist, a Coordinator's Sandshrew participated in the Hoenn Grand Festival.

In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, a Sandshrew appeared during the opening sequence, while another was living in the Tree of Beginning.

A Coordinator's Sandshrew appeared in The Saffron Con.

In Once More With Reeling!, a Coordinator's Sandshrew participated in the Terracotta Contest.

In Not on MY Watch Ya Don't!, a Sandshrew was hypnotized by Team Rocket.

In Drifloon On the Wind!, Marnie fed a Sandshrew.

A Sandshrew appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1). Two additional Sandshrew appeared in the follow-up episode.

A Sandshrew made a brief cameo in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

A Sandshrew appeared in Camping It Up!.

In Battling a Cute Drama!, a Sandshrew was at the Shelter Town's Pokémon Center.

Multiple Sandshrew made a cameo in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Lost at the League!.

A Sandshrew appeared in Lumiose City Pursuit!.

In Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, a Sandshrew was a resident of Allearth Forest.

In Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad, a Sandshrew was residing in a forest.

A Sandshrew appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Kalos League Passion with a Certain Flare!.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in The First Day of the Rest of Your Life!.

Two Sandshrew appeared in I Choose You!. One was among the Pokémon taking shelter from the rain in a cave alongside Entei.

In Getting a Jump on the Competition!, two Alolan Sandshrew were on Mount Lanakila.

A Trainer's Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Battling Besties!.

A Trainer's Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Aim For The Eight!.

A Sandshrew appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.

A Sandshrew appeared in The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.

Pokédex entries

EpisodePokémonSourceEntry
DP047SandshrewDawn's PokédexSandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon. Sandshrew hates moisture and lives in holes it digs in dry places. It protects itself by curling into a ball.
EpisodePokémonSourceEntry
SM060SandshrewRotom PokédexSandshrew, Alola Form. The Mouse Pokémon. An Ice and Steel type. Their outer armor is like steel, which prevents them from rolling up into a ball.

Pokémon Origins

In File 1: Red, a Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon seen in Professor Oak's introduction.

A Sandshrew appeared in a flashback in File 2: Cubone.

A Sandshrew appeared in File 3: Giovanni. It was seen being experimented on as part of the Master Ball's development at Silph Co..

Pokémon Evolutions

In The Show, a Sandshrew briefly appeared under the ownership of a Trainer in Ecruteak City.

POKÉTOON

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Blossom's Dream.

In the manga

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Professor Oak owns a Sandshrew, which appeared in Clefairy in Space. It was used to stop a wild Clefairy from causing mischief.

Pokémon Adventures

Sandshrew debuted in Onix is On!, battling Red's Bulbasaur as a Pewter Gym Trainer's Pokémon.

Red caught a Sandshrew prior to Make Way for Magmar!, which he used to fight a pair of Magmar.

A Sandshrew appeared in Murkrow Row as one of the residents of Gold's house.

A Sandshrew appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Plugging Past Electrike I.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Deprogramming Porygon-Z.

Alolan Sandshrew debuted in Shock!! Father in the Pendant!, where one was seen on Mount Lanakila.

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

A Sandshrew appeared in GDZ45, under the ownership of a contestant.

In the TCG

Main article: Sandshrew (TCG)

Other Appearances

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Sandshrew appears as a Spirit.

Trivia

  • No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Alolan Sandshrew and its Alolan evolved form.
  • Sandshrew and its evolved form both share their category name with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, Raichu, Pawmi, and Pawmo. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate were originally called the Rat Pokémon prior to Generation III.
  • Alolan Sandshrew has the lowest base Special Attack stat of any Pokémon, tied with Shuckle, Feebas, and Bonsly.
    • Sandshrew has the lowest base Special Attack stat of all Ground-type Pokémon.
  • Both Sandshrew and Alolan Sandshrew have Abilities that boost evasion in certain weather (Sandstorm for Sandshrew and Hail for Alolan Sandshrew) and Hidden Abilities that boost Speed in those same weather conditions.
  • Alolan Sandshrew can be seen as a parallel to Alolan Vulpix. Both were initially introduced in Generation I and got Alolan forms in Sun and Moon. Both Pokémon are Ice-types, with Vulpix being exclusive to Sun and Sandshrew being exclusive to Moon. Furthermore, both Pokémon evolve when exposed to an Ice Stone.

Origin

Bulbanews Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:

Sandshrew may be based on the armadillo or pangolin, mammals with hard scales and sharp claws, can curl up into a ball, and live in desert regions. Both Sandshrew and Sandslash are mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some species of the shrew are venomous.

Alolan Sandshrew seems to also be based on an igloo and a curling stone.

Name origin

Sandshrew may be a combination of sand and shrew.

Sand is simply sand.

In other languages

Related articles

References

External links

ncG1vNJzZmiapaGvorzEnaCaZpKquaOtxpqpnZ2eY7umwI6woKShX4iur7DSoamer49dnbC3hHxqXnlporyvdQ%3D%3D

Reinaldo Massengill

Update: 2024-08-09