Physiology
Shaymin is a small, hedgehog-like creature. Pure white fur covers its body, and instead of quills, there is soft, fluffy fur on its back that looks just like grass. A pink flower grows on each side of its head, somewhat resembling Glacidea Flowers. Shaymin has a plump underbelly and stubby paws. Shaymin is the shortest legendary Pokémon to date. According to the Pokédex figure of 0'08", it is also among the smallest Pokémon in existence, with its comrades being Diglett, Natu, Azurill, Budew, Burmy and Chingling.
As first revealed Japan's CoroCoro Magazine, Shaymin has two forms. The first (Land Forme) is the original form seen in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions. The second is a new Sky Forme which debuted in Giratina and the Sky's Bouquet: Shaymin. Shaymin will automatically change into this form if it comes in contact with a Glacidea Flower, but has been seen changing form at will in its movie. If night falls and a Shaymin is in its Sky Forme, it will immediately change back into its original Land Forme. This is because in Pokémon Platinum, Shaymin cannot be in its Sky Forme at night or if it's Frozen. Shaymin's Sky Forme has a canine-like appearance. It has a fluffy neck collar and tail. The fur that was originally on its back has shifted into what looks like a mohawk. Its now longer legs have green fur covering them making them look as if Shaymin were wearing stockings. 2 large red flower petals grow on one side of its neck. Big wing-like ears are on its head. It seems to always have a brave expression.
Gender differences
Shaymin is genderless.
Special abilities
Shaymin have the ability to instantly purify the area they are in of all pollutants and transform it into a flowery field. According to the movie it debuted in, any dirty air that Shaymin breathe in is exhaled as pure, clean air, a trait that is similar to Meganium's ability to revive plants with its breath. In addition, like several Legendary Pokémon, Shaymin were revealed to be able to communicate telepathically.
Shaymin is the only known Pokémon that learns Seed Flare.
Behavior
Land Forme
Shaymin have timid and curious natures. They curl up into a ball if they sense a threat is near, or if something scares them. Like most dogs that have a lot of fur, Shaymin will usually shake themselves dry. If Shaymin are content, they may sprout a few extra flowers, making them look like tiny bouquets.
Sky Forme
Shaymin have courageous, yet playful natures. If they come across an enemy, they won't be afraid to fight back. They like to zip and zoom around happily when they fly.
Habitat
Shaymin lives in flowery fields. However, since Shaymin can camouflage itself by curling itself up, Shaymin can easily escape people's notice-- the reason being that the fur on Shaymin's back resembles the grass and the flowers on its head resemble the flowers usually surrounding it.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
Like lots of wild Pokémon, Shaymin may eat things native to their environment like wild grasses and berries. In the anime the Shaymin that Ash and his friends took care of was seen eating various things like Poffins and pancakes.
- Shaymin and Jirachi seem to both have something to do with special rocks and need to be wished upon to appear.
- Shaymin ties with Mew and Celebi for the highest catch rate among all legendary Pokémon; Jirachi and Manaphy are distinct from the aforementioned three in tying with many other legendary Pokémon for the lowest catch rate among all Pokémon.
- Shaymin is the smallest legendary Pokémon, and one of the shortest Pokémon overall, tying with Diglett, Natu, Azurill, Budew, Burmy and Chingling.
- This is the second event legendary Pokémon which was thought only to be received at a Nintendo event. However, in the Japanese version of Diamond/Pearl, it can be caught through a glitch involving Surf in the room of the first Elite Four member. Likewise, in other language versions, another glitch is said to get the player to reach Seabreak Path and Flower Paradise as well.
- Land Forme Shaymin is the first pure Grass-type legendary Pokémon.
- Although Shaymin is a legendary Pokémon, normal wild Pokémon battle music plays while battling it.
- Shaymin is implied to be behind the creation of Floaroma Town, as one person notes it was a barren wasteland until one day flowers mysteriously covered it all.
- Marley makes brief references to Shaymin if spoken with during an excursion in Victory Road. She wants to reach the smooth rock on Route 224.
- Shaymin seems to appear only when someone gives thanks for a significant blessing in their life. A girl in Floaroma Town states that the flowers the town is famous for appeared after someone gave thanks for nature's blessings. With Oak's Letter Shaymin will lead the player to Flower Paradise after they give thanks for their Pokémon journey at the white rock on Route 224.
- When Giratina and the Sky's Bouquet: Shaymin premiered in Japan, an event Shaymin is available at theaters from July 19 to September 30, 2008. Shaymin is at level 50 and is holding a Micle. It is contained in a Cherish Ball, with the OT of えいがかん Movie Theatre and an ID No. of 07198. It has its signature move, Seed Flare, at an earlier level, namely 50, the level at which it is received.
- Unlike most legendaries, Shaymin needs only 1,059,860 Exp. to get to level 100, whereas others need 1,250,000. It shares this trait with Mew and Celebi.
- Both of Shaymin's Formes have the same abilities as Happiny and its evolutions.
- According to a Pokémon Sunday clip showing how to change forms with the Glacidea Flower, Shaymin's Sky Forme is revealed to have a different cry than its Land Forme, making Shaymin the first Pokémon to have different cries for different forms, and the first Pokémon to change its cry since Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow.
- The way Sky Forme Shaymin fly in a group, their reindeer-like appearance, and the way they prance in the air may be similar to that of Santa's reindeer. This would be slightly ironic, seeing as it has a double weakness to Ice.
Hoax
A hoax perpetrated by PurpleKecleon, an artist on deviantART, brought a version of Shaymin's Sky Forme, with a more feminine appearance than its real Sky Forme, to the fandom. This fake Sky Forme was passed around several Pokémon websites and assumed real until PokéBeach confirmed that it was fake.
Leaking
Before Shaymin's Sky Forme was officialy revealed, a photo of a drink tumbler decorated with several Pokémon, including Sky Forme, was shown on a Pokémon Festa page. The page was taken down moments after the webmasters realized that Sky Forme was accidentally shown to the public. Several people had already known about the tumbler already, however. It was assumed and later proven that it was Shaymin's Sky Forme.
Origin
Shaymin is based on a hedgehog. Its pure-white body and the grasslike fur on its back makes it somewhat resemble a chia pet. Its Sky Forme shares traits of a dog and a reindeer. For instance, its ears resemble a reindeer's antlers; while its brave, cheerful and energetic appearance and personality are somewhat like that of the domestic dog.
Name origin
Its name may come from the word shame, as it is a very shy and elusive Pokémon. It may also be derived from shaman. The English name also is a slight alteration of its Japanese name. Its katakana name contains 実mi, which means seed in Japanese. Furthermore, its name may be a combination of 感謝 kansha, thanks or gratitude, and 針鼠 harinezumi, hedgehog.