Sandshrew (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #026: Raichu	Pokémon	#028: Sandslash →

Sandshrew Mouse Pokémon サンド Sand #027 Sandshrew Alolan Sandshrew Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Types Ground Unknown Sandshrew Ice Steel Alolan Sandshrew Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Sand Veil Sandshrew Snow Cloak Alolan Sandshrew Cacophony Sand Rush Sandshrew Hidden Ability Slush Rush Alolan Sandshrew Hidden Ability Cacophony Alolan Sandshrew Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 255 (43.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Field Hatch time 20 cycles
Height 2'00" 0.6 m Sandshrew 2'04" 0.7 m Alolan Sandshrew 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 26.5 lbs. 12.0 kg Sandshrew 88.2 lbs. 40.0 kg Alolan Sandshrew 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 93 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 60 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 1 Sandshrew 0 HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed Alolan Sandshrew 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint Alolan Sandshrew
Pokédex color   Yellow Other forms may have other colors.	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

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 regional variant that is Ice/Steel. It evolves into Alolan Sandslash when exposed to an Ice Stone.

Biology

Sandshrew blending in with its surroundings

Sandshrew is a bipedal mammalian Pokémon, but runs on all fours in the anime. Its yellow hide is dry, tough, blends in with desert sand, and has a brick pattern, but its underbelly and muzzle are white. 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 hunt, which it does by waiting within its burrow to instantly lunge out and drag in passing prey. 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.

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 and with a cream-colored belly and muzzle. Its head now resembles an igloo. 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 ice covering its hide. The steel-like covering grants it extra defense, but it is unable to curl into a ball like its desert counterpart. Alolan Sandshrew's claws allow it to move without slipping on icy surfaces, but it slides on its stomach when it needs to move quickly.

In the anime

Sandshrew in the anime

Alolan Sandshrew in the anime

A Sandshrew Egg in the anime

In the main series

Major appearances

Sandshrew debuted in The Path to the Pokémon League, under the ownership of A.J.. Despite A.J.'s seemingly barbaric training methods (e.g. using a whip, training in a pool), it was very loyal to him.

A Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon that played Hide-n-Seek in Pikachu's PikaBoo. Sandshrew hid by camouflaging itself in front of a brick wall.

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

Minor appearances

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

An ailing Sandshrew briefly appeared near the beginning of Clefairy and the Moon Stone. It was seen lying down, which 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.

A Sandshrew appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash.

A Sandshrew was seen in a Pokémon Center in Sparks Fly for Magnemite.

A Sandshrew appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.

A Sandshrew appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.

A Sandshrew was among the Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral.

A Trainer's Sandshrew was brought to the Pokémon Center in The Lost Lapras.

A Trainer's Sandshrew was treated by Nurse Joy in The Joy of Pokémon.

A Sandshrew appeared in The Power of One.

A Sandshrew appeared in Tanks a Lot!.

A Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon stolen by Butch and Cassidy in The Fortune Hunters.

A Sandshrew appeared in Beauty and the Breeder where it participated in a Pokémon Beauty Contest.

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

A Sandshrew was one of the inhabitants of a Pokémon oasis in Got Miltank?.

Two Sandshrew were among the Pokémon seen at Wings Alexander's barn in Throwing in the Noctowl.

A Sandshrew was seen in the wild in The Legend of Thunder!.

A Sandshrew appeared in A Tyrogue Full of Trouble, where it was seen receiving an apple from a Tyrogue.

Two Sandshrew were among the Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Showdown at the Oak Corral.

A Sandshrew was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainers' School in Gonna Rule The School!.

A Sandshrew appeared in Hi Ho Silver Wind!, under the ownership of a Coordinator.

Two Sandshrew appeared in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. One appeared during the opening sequence, while another was one of the Pokémon living in the Tree of Beginning.

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 along with a Sandslash in Destiny Deoxys and Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

A Sandshrew appeared in Camping It Up!.

A Sandshrew was seen at the Shelter Town's Pokémon Center in Battling a Cute Drama!.

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!.

A Sandshrew appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.

A Sandshrew appeared in Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad.

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!.

A Sandshrew appeared in Loading the Dex! as a silhouette that Rotom Pokédex brought up.

Two Sandshrew appeared in I Choose You!.

Two Alolan Sandshrew debuted in Getting a Jump on the Competition!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP047 Sandshrew Dawn's Pokédex Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon. Sandshrew hates moisture and lives in holes it digs in dry places. It protects itself by curling into a ball.

Sandshrew in Pokémon Origins

In Pokémon Origins

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

Another Sandshrew appeared in File 3: Giovanni at Silph Co.

In the manga

Sandshrew in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Professor Oak owns a Sandshrew in the The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. He uses it in Clefairy in Space to stop a wild Clefairy from causing mischief.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

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

Red caught a Sandshrew prior to Make Way for Magmar!, which he uses to fight Fire-types such as Magmar.

In Murkrow Row, Gold has a Sandshrew residing in his house, but has never used it in battle.

A Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon sent to help the fight in Ilex Forest in The Last Battle XIII.

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

In the TCG

Main article: Sandshrew (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

Sandshrew

Generation I Red(ENG) Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food. Blue Yellow Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew. Stadium When hunting, it hides at the lip of its burrow. If prey comes close, it lunges out and drags in the prey instantly.

Generation II Gold If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing. Silver Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball. Crystal It prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened. Stadium 2 If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.

Generation III 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. 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 sand to sleep. 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. FireRed It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection. LeafGreen Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.

Generation IV Diamond To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall. Pearl Platinum HeartGold If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing. SoulSilver Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.

Generation V Black To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall. White Black 2 It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks. White 2

Generation VI X It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection. Y Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball. 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. 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.

Generation VII Sun It can roll its body into a ball. It moves through the desert by rolling at high speeds. Moon It usually makes its home in deserts and arid zones, where rain does not fall. It digs holes to catch Bug-type Pokémon. Ultra Sun It lives in areas of limited rainfall. When danger approaches, it curls up into a ball to protect its soft stomach. Ultra Moon When 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.

Alolan Sandshrew

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.

Generation VII Sun It lives on snowy mountains. Its steel shell is very hard—so much so, it can't roll its body up into a ball. Moon 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. Ultra Sun After fleeing a volcanic eruption, it ended up moving to an area of snowy mountains. Its ice shell is as hard as steel. Ultra Moon The skin on its back is as hard as steel. Predators go after its soft belly, so it clings to the ground desperately.

Game locations

Generation I Red Trade Blue Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23 Blue (Japan) Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23 Yellow Routes 3 and 4, Mt. Moon

Generation II Gold Union Cave, Mt. Moon Silver Goldenrod Game Corner Crystal Routes 3 and 4, Union Cave, Mt. Moon

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Routes 111 and 113 Emerald Route 111, Mirage Tower FireRed Trade, Event LeafGreen Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23 Colosseum Trade XD Rock Poké Spot

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Wayward Cave (LeafGreen) Platinum Wayward Cave (LeafGreen) HeartGold Union Cave, Mt. Moon, Safari Zone SoulSilver Safari Zone, Goldenrod Game Corner Pal Park Mountain

Generation V Black White Breed Sandslash Black 2 White 2 Desert Resort, Relic Castle Dream World Icy Cave

Generation VI X Y Friend Safari (Ground) Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Routes 111 and 113

Generation VII Sun Trade Moon Mount Lanakila, Tapu Village Ultra Sun Trade Ultra Moon Mount Lanakila, Tapu Village

In side games

Generation I Snap Valley Pinball Mt. Moon, Vermilion City Streets, Rock Mountain, Saffron City, Indigo Plateau

Generation II This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.

Generation III Pinball: R&S Hatch from Egg Trozei! Secret Storage 2, Huge Storage 3, Endless Level 9, Mr. Who's Den MD Red MD Blue Magma Cavern (1F-6F), Buried Relic (36F-59F), Desert Region (1F-6F), Joyous Tower (68F-73F)

Generation IV MD Time MD Darkness Northern Desert (1F-15F), Shimmer Desert (1F-9F) MD Sky Northern Desert (1F-15F), Shimmer Desert (1F-9F) Ranger: SoA Chroma Ruins Rumble Rocky Cave (Normal Mode B( Ranger: GS Daybreak Ruins, Mitonga Road, Forest Temple

Generation V Rumble Blast Desert: Rugged Flats Rumble U Variety Battle: It's Drill Time!

Generation VI Battle Trozei Safari Jungle: Stage 1Tu Shuffle Marron Trail: Stage 661 Event: Pokémon Safari (14th release) Event: The Daily Pokémon (#8) (Alola Form) Rumble World Ruby Volcano: Dusty Desert (All Areas), Fairy Land: Heat-Wave Desert (All Areas)

In events

Sandshrew

Games	Event	Language/Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
FRLG	Pokémon Trade and Battle Day Sandshrew	English	United States	12	September 25, 2004

Alolan Sandshrew

Games	Event	Language/Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
SM	Pokémon Sun & Moon Alolan Sandshrew	Korean region	Online	10	May 9 to June 30, 2017

Held items

Sandshrew

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Ruby	Sapphire	Quick Claw (5%)
Emerald
Pokémon XD		Quick Claw (100%)
Diamond	Pearl	Quick Claw (5%)
Platinum
HeartGold	SoulSilver	Quick Claw (5%)
Black 2	White 2	Quick Claw (5%)
X	Y	Quick Claw (5%)
Omega Ruby	Alpha Sapphire	Grip Claw (5%)

Alolan Sandshrew

Game		Held Item(s)
Sun	Moon	Grip Claw (5%)
Ultra Sun	Ultra Moon	Grip Claw (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Sandshrew

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Defense: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Sp. Atk: 20		22 - 79	40 - 152
Sp. Def: 30		31 - 90	58 - 174
Speed: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Total: 300	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 30.

Alolan Sandshrew

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Defense: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Sp. Atk: 10		13 - 68	22 - 130
Sp. Def: 35		36 - 95	67 - 185
Speed: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Total: 300	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆	Power 3/3 ★★★
Skill 3/5 ★★★☆☆	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 13/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Sandshrew

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Electric-type  moves is 1×.

Alolan Sandshrew

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal ½× Fighting 4× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ¼× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None

Weak to: Normal ½× Fighting 4× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ¼× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None

Immune to: Normal ½× Fighting 4× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ¼× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None

Resistant to: Normal ½× Fighting 4× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ¼× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None

Notes: If this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Poison-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Sandshrew

Generation VII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35 011 Defense Curl Normal Status 0000— 00——% 40 033 Sand Attack Ground Status 0000— 100100% 15 055 Poison Sting Poison Physical 01515 100100% 35 077 Rollout Rock Physical 03030 09090% 20 099 Rapid Spin Normal Physical 02020 100100% 40 1111 Fury Cutter Bug Physical 04040 09595% 20 1414 Magnitude Ground Physical 0000— 100100% 30 1717 Swift Normal Special 06060 00——% 20 2020 Fury Swipes Normal Physical 01818 08080% 15 2323 Sand Tomb Ground Physical 03535 08585% 15 2626 Slash Normal Physical 07070 100100% 20 3030 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100100% 10 3434 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000— 100100% 5 3838 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00——% 20 4242 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00——% 10 4646 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100100% 10

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 VII Other generations: VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35 011 Defense Curl Normal Status 0000— 00——% 40 033 Bide Normal Physical 0000— 00——% 10 055 Powder Snow Ice Special 04040 100100% 25 077 Ice Ball Ice Physical 03030 09090% 20 099 Rapid Spin Normal Physical 02020 100100% 40 1111 Fury Cutter Bug Physical 04040 09595% 20 1414 Metal Claw Steel Physical 05050 09595% 35 1717 Swift Normal Special 06060 00——% 20 2020 Fury Swipes Normal Physical 01818 08080% 15 2323 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000— 00——% 15 2626 Slash Normal Physical 07070 100100% 20 3030 Iron Head Steel Physical 08080 100100% 15 3434 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000— 100100% 5 3838 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00——% 20 4242 Hail Ice Status 0000— 00——% 10 4646 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 07070% 5

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

By TM/HM

Sandshrew

Generation VII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM06 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM20 TM20 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 25 TM21 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM26 TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM27 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM31 TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 TM37 TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM39 TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM40 TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM45 TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM46 TM46 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM48 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM56 TM56 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM65 TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM74 TM74 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000— 100}}100% 5 TM75 TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM78 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM80 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM81 TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM84 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20

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 TM moves from other generations

Alolan Sandshrew

Generation VII Other generations: VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM01 TM01 Work Up Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM06 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM07 TM07 Hail Ice Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM14 TM14 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5 TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM20 TM20 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 25 TM21 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM26 TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM27 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM28 TM28 Leech Life Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM31 TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 TM40 TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM45 TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM46 TM46 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM48 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM56 TM56 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM65 TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM70 TM70 Aurora Veil Ice Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM74 TM74 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000— 100}}100% 5 TM75 TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM78 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM79 TM79 Frost Breath Ice Special 06060 090}}90% 10 TM80 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM81 TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM84 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20

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

By breeding

Sandshrew

Generation VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Chip Away Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Counter Fighting Physical — 100% 20 Crush Claw Normal Physical 75 95% 10 Endure Normal Status — —% 10 Flail Normal Physical — 100% 15 Hone ClawsUSUM Dark Status — —% 15 Metal Claw Steel Physical 50 95% 35 Mud Shot Ground Special 55 95% 15 Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15 Rapid Spin Normal Physical 20 100% 40 Rock Climb Normal Physical 90 85% 20 Rototiller Ground Status — —% 10

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew in Generation VII Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Sandshrew in that game. 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 VII Other generations: VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Amnesia Psychic Status — —% 20 Chip Away Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Counter Fighting Physical — 100% 20 Crush Claw Normal Physical 75 95% 10 Curse Ghost Status — —% 10 Endure Normal Status — —% 10 Flail Normal Physical — 100% 15 Hone ClawsUSUM Dark Status — —% 15 Icicle Crash Ice Physical 85 90% 10 Icicle Spear Ice Physical 25 100% 30 Metal Claw Steel Physical 50 95% 35 Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew in Generation VII Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Sandshrew in that game. 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

By tutoring

Sandshrew

Generation VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  S M US UM Covet Normal Physical 60 100% 25 S M US UM Earth Power Ground Special 90 100% 10 S M US UM Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150 100% 20 S M US UM Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15 S M US UM Knock Off Dark Physical 65 100% 20 S M US UM Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15 S M US UM Stealth Rock Rock Status — —% 20 S M US UM Stomping Tantrum Ground Physical 75 100% 10 S M US UM Super Fang Normal Physical — 90% 10

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Sandshrew can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Sandshrew cannot be tutored the move in that game 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 Move Tutor moves from other generations

Alolan Sandshrew

Generation VII Other generations: VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  S M US UM Aqua Tail Water Physical 90 90% 10 S M US UM Covet Normal Physical 60 100% 25 S M US UM Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150 100% 20 S M US UM Ice Punch Ice Physical 75 100% 15 S M US UM Icy Wind Ice Special 55 95% 15 S M US UM Iron Defense Steel Status — —% 15 S M US UM Iron Head Steel Physical 80 100% 15 S M US UM Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15 S M US UM Knock Off Dark Physical 65 100% 20 S M US UM Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15 S M US UM Stealth Rock Rock Status — —% 20 S M US UM Super Fang Normal Physical — 90% 10 S M US UM Throat Chop Dark Physical 80 100% 15

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Sandshrew can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Sandshrew cannot be tutored the move in that game 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

Move	Card
Slam	Sandshrew (McDonald Pack 16)

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball   Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS   Acquisition: Hatch		Pokémon Trozei! Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 10.4% Friend Area: Furnace Desert Phrases 51%-100% HP Defense Curl makes me better protected! 26%-50% HP I have only half my HP left... 1%-25% HP I'm close to fainting... Can I just curl up somewhere? Level up Yeah! I leveled!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group: Ground Poké Assist: Ground Field move: (Tunnel ×1) Browser entry R-000 It hurls lumps of sand to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Ground Poké Assist: (present) Ground Field move: (present) (Crush ×1) Poké Assist: (past) Ground Field move: (past) (Crush ×1) Browser entry [[List of Pokémon by Oblivia Browser number|]] It triggers tremors and opens fissures that make Pokémon Paused.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Battle Trozei Ground Attack Power: ★★★★★
Pokémon Shuffle Ground Attack Power: 50 - 100 5 #680 Damage Streak Increases damage when it is triggered in a row. Swappable Skill(s): Three Force			Pokémon Shuffle Ice Attack Power: 50 - 100 5 #680 Rock Break+ Sometimes destroys three breakable-rock disruptions.
Pokémon GO Base HP: 100 Base Attack: 126 Base Defense: 145 Egg Distance: 5 km Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: 50 Fast Attacks: Scratch, Mud Shot Charged Attacks: Dig, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb*, Sand Tomb*

Evolution

Sandshrew

Unevolved Sandshrew  Ground

Level 22 →

First Evolution Sandslash  Ground

Alolan Sandshrew

Unevolved Sandshrew  Ice  Steel

Ice Stone →

First Evolution Sandslash  Ice  Steel

Sprites

Generation I Red Green Red Blue Yellow Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back

Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back

Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back

For other sprites and images, please see Sandshrew images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Alolan Sandshrew and its Alolan evolution.
• Sandshrew and its evolution share their category name with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, and Raichu. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called the Rat Pokémon.
  • They all have at least one family member with a regional variant in Alola.
• 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 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 Alola Forms in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Both Pokémon are Ice-type with Vulpix being exclusive to Sun and Sandshrew being exclusive to Moon. Furthermore, both Pokémon evolve when exposed to an Ice Stone.
• Alolan Sandshrew, Clefable, Latias, Gurdurr, Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Minior (Meteor Form) are all the same weight as Ethan.

Origin

Sandshrew may be based on the armadillo, a mammal that curls up into a ball, has sharp claws, and lives in desert regions. Both Sandshrew and Sandslash are mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some species of the shrew are poisonous. Sandshrew also closely resembles a pangolin.

Alolan Sandshrew seems to also be based on an igloo.

Name origin

Sandshrew is a combination of sand and shrew.

Sand is simply sand.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese サンド Sand From sand French Sabelette From sable and belette Spanish Sandshrew Same as English name German Sandan From Sand Italian Sandshrew Same as English name Korean 모래두지 Moreduji From 모래 morae and 두더지 dudeoji Mandarin Chinese 穿山鼠 Chuānshānshǔ A portmanteau of 穿山甲 and 鼠. Literally "Mouse that passes through mountains" Cantonese Chinese 穿山鼠 Chyūnsāansyú A portmanteau of 穿山甲 and 鼠. Literally "Mouse that passes through mountains"

More languages Hindi सांडश्रु Sandshrew Transcription of English name Lithuanian Smėlius Translation of English name Russian Сэндшрю Sendshryu Transcription of English name

External links

← #026: Raichu

Pokémon

#028: Sandslash →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.