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Sandshrew (JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Ground-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. In Alola, it developed into a Ice and Steel Pokémon.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Sandshrew is a bipedal pholidote Pokémon, but runs on all fours in the anime. 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.

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. A traditional Alolan custom during festivals is a competition to see who can slide Alolan Sandshrew across the ice the farthest.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Origin and inspiration[]

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Pokémon Yellow Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
Pokémon Stadium When hunting, it hides at the lip of its burrow. If prey comes close, it lunges out and drags in the prey instantly.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Pokémon Silver Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Pokémon Crystal It prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby Sandshrew'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.
Pokémon Sapphire Sandshrew 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.
Pokémon Emerald When 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.
Pokémon FireRed It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
Pokémon LeafGreen Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokémon Pearl To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokémon Platinum To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokémon HeartGold If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Pokémon SoulSilver Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokémon White To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokémon Black 2 It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
Pokémon White 2 It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
Pokémon Y Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Pokémon Omega Ruby Sandshrew'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.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Sandshrew 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.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun Normal - It can roll its body into a ball. It moves through the desert by rolling at high speeds.
Alola - It lives on snowy mountains. Its steel shell is very hard—so much so, it can’t roll its body up into a ball.
Pokémon Moon Normal - It usually makes its home in deserts and arid zones, where rain does not fall. It digs holes to catch Bug-type Pokémon.
Alola - An 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[]

Title Location(s)
Pokémon Blue
Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23
Pokémon Yellow
Routes 3 and 4, Mt. Moon
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Union Cave, Mt. Moon
Pokémon Silver
Goldenrod Game Corner
Pokémon Crystal
Routes 3 and 4, Union Cave, Mt. Moon
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Routes 111 and 113
Pokémon Sapphire
Routes 111 and 113
Pokémon Emerald
Route 111, Mirage Tower
Pokémon LeafGreen
Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Wayward Cave (LeafGreen)
Pokémon Pearl
Wayward Cave (LeafGreen)
Pokémon Platinum
Wayward Cave (LeafGreen)
Pokémon HeartGold
Union Cave, Mt. Moon, Safari Zone
Pokémon SoulSilver
Goldenrod Game Corner, Safari Zone
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Breed
Pokémon Black 2
Desert Resort, Relic Castle
Pokémon White 2
Desert Resort, Relic Castle
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Friend Safari (Ground)
Pokémon Y
Friend Safari (Ground)
Pokémon Omega Ruby
Routes 111 and 113
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Routes 111 and 113
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Trade
Pokémon Moon
Mount Lanakila, Tapu Village


Evolution[]

Sandshrew
Reach level 22.
Sandslash
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Sandshrew
Use Ice Stone Ice Stone
Sandslash
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Base Stats[]

Normal[]

Base Stats
HP 50
Attack 75
Defense 85
Sp. Attack 20
Sp. Defense 30
Speed 40
Total 300


Alola[]

Base Stats
HP 50
Attack 75
Defense 90
Sp. Attack 10
Sp. Defense 35
Speed 40
Total 300


Moveset[]

Main article: Sandshrew/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
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Red Blue
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Yellow
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Gold
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Silver
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Pikachu Eevee
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Scarlet Violet
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Renders
Sun Moon
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Pikachu Eevee
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Sword Shield
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Scarlet Violet
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Trivia[]

  • In December 2018, Sandshrew and Alolan Sandshrew were appointed the Pokémon ambassadors for Tottori Prefecture.[1]
  • No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Alolan Sandshrew and its Alolan evolved form.
  • 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.

References[]

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