Sandshrew (Pokémon)

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Sandshrew サンド Sand #027
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Ground ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Mouse Pokémon
Ability Sand Veil Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #027 Johto #048 Hoenn #112 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 2′00″ Imperial 0.6 m Metric 2′00″/0.6 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 26.5 lbs. Imperial 12.0 kg Metric 26.5 lbs./12.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	Catch rate 255 (33.3%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Ground group 1 cycles (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 93 Battle Exp.: 931*
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.

Biology

Physiology

A Sandshrew is a ground-dwelling rodent notable for its defensive capabilities. Its body is mostly covered in a dry, tough hide which is colored to blend in with the sands of the desert. It can curl into a tight ball about the same size as a basketball to protect its soft underbelly. Its primary weapon is the small but sharp claws on its paws, which are also useful for burrowing and can sometimes be poisoned.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Sandshrew's special abilities are extremely limited compared to other Pokémon. It has a greater control over the ground and sand than the average Pokémon, mostly derived from adaptation to its habitat.

Behavior

In the wild, Sandshrew are mostly defensive by nature. They spend much of their time hidden underground in their burrows and will kick up sand or curl into a ball to escape predators. They may venture out to hunt, taking advantage of the desert sands to hide themselves.

However, with the help of a trainer, a Sandshrew can become bolder and much more daring, and can even be trained to swim despite the fact that they are weakened by the water. They are still fond of curling up, though, even if not for defense.

Habitat

File:Roughterrain.gif

Rough-terrain Pokémon

They are adapted to dry, arid areas. Thus, they can be commonly found in deserts and grasslands, and sometimes in river valleys or the upper levels of caves as well. Wherever they are, they live underground in burrows.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Sandshrew do not require a lot of water, due to a very efficient system of staying hydrated with minimal moisture. They hunt for prey in the wild.

In the anime

File:Mira's Sandshrew.PNG

Mira's Sandshrew

Sandshrew was first featured in The Path to the Pokémon League. It was owned by a Pokémon trainer named A.J.. Despite A.J.'s seemly barbaric training methods (e.g. using a whip), it was very loyal to him.

An ailing Sandshrew is seen briefly near the beginning of Clefairy and the Moon Stone.

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

In the manga

Professor Oak had a Sandshrew in the Electric Tale of Pikachu.

In the Pokémon Special manga

Sandshrew makes a cameo in Onix is On!, part of the Red, Green & Blue chapter, battling against Red's Bulbasaur as a Pewter Gym trainer's Pokémon.

Red had a Sandshrew in Pokémon Special he uses to fight Fire-types.

In the TCG

Main article: Sandshrew (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red 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 To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall. Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Few Routes 4, 11, and 23 (Blue only) Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Uncommon Routes 3 and 4, Mt. Moon
Generation II Gold Silver Few Routes 4, 32, Union Cave, Mt. Moon (Gold only) Crystal Uncommon Routes 2, 4, Union Cave, Mt. Moon
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Uncommon Route 113 Emerald Common Routes 111, 113, Mirage Tower FireRed LeafGreen Uncommon Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23 (LeafGreen only) Colosseum None Trade XD Uncommon Desert PokéSpot
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Uncommon Wayward Cave (dongle method: LeafGreen) Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park Mountain Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Hatch from egg
Pokémon Trozei	Secret Storage 2 Huge Storage 3 Endless Level 9 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon	Magma Cavern (1F-6F) Buried Relic (36F-59F) Desert Region (1F-6F) Joyous Tower (68F-73F)

Base stats

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.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation I Level Move Type Start Scratch 10 Sand-Attack 17 Slash 24 Poison Sting 31 Swift 38 Fury Swipes

Generation II Level Move Type Start Scratch 6 Defense Curl 11 Sand-Attack 17 Poison Sting 23 Slash 30 Swift 37 Fury Swipes 45 Sandstorm

Generation III Level Move Type Start Scratch 6 Defense Curl 11 Sand-Attack 17 Poison Sting 23 Slash 30 Swift 37 Fury Swipes 45 Sand Tomb 53 Sandstorm

Generation IV Level Move Type Cat. Start Scratch 3 Defense Curl 7 Sand-Attack 9 Poison Sting 13 Rapid Spin 15 Swift 19 Fury Swipes 21 Rollout 25 Fury Cutter 27 Sand Tomb 31 Slash 33 Gyro Ball 37 Sandstorm

By TM/HM

Generation I # Move Type TM01 DynamicPunch TM03 Swords Dance TM06 Toxic TM08 Body Slam TM09 Take Down TM10 Double-Edge TM17 Submission TM19 Seismic Toss TM20 Rage TM26 Earthquake TM27 Fissure TM28 Dig TM31 Mimic TM32 Double Team TM34 Bide TM39 Swift TM40 Skull Bash TM44 Rest TM48 Rock Slide TM50 Substitute HM01 Cut HM04 Strength

Generation II # Move Type TM01 DynamicPunch TM02 Headbutt TM03 Curse Unknown TM04 Rollout TM06 Toxic TM08 Rock Smash TM09 Take Down TM10 Hidden Power TM11 Sunny Day TM13 Snore TM17 Protect TM20 Endure TM21 Frustration TM23 Iron Tail TM26 Earthquake TM27 Return TM28 Dig TM31 Mud Slap TM32 Double Team TM34 Swagger TM35 Sleep Talk TM37 Sandstorm TM39 Swift TM40 Defense Curl TM43 Detect TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief TM49 Fury Cutter HM01 Cut HM04 Strength

Generation III # Move Type TM01 Focus Punch TM06 Toxic TM10 Hidden Power TM11 Sunny Day TM17 Protect TM21 Frustration TM23 Iron Tail TM26 Earthquake TM27 Return TM28 Dig TM31 Brick Break TM32 Double Team TM37 Sandstorm TM39 Rock Tomb TM40 Aerial Ace TM42 Facade TM43 Secret Power TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief HM01 Cut HM04 Strength HM06 Rock Smash

Generation IV # Move Type Cat. TM06 Toxic TM10 Hidden Power TM11 Sunny Day TM17 Protect TM21 Frustration TM23 Iron Tail TM26 Earthquake TM27 Return TM28 Dig TM31 Brick Break TM32 Double Team TM37 Sandstorm TM39 Rock Tomb TM40 Aerial Ace TM42 Facade TM43 Secret Power TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief TM52 Focus Blast TM56 Fling TM58 Endure TM65 Shadow Claw TM74 Gyro Ball TM75 Swords Dance TM76 Stealth Rock TM78 Captivate TM80 Rock Slide TM81 X-Scissor TM82 Sleep Talk TM83 Natural Gift TM84 Poison Jab TM87 Swagger TM90 Substitute HM01 Cut HM04 Strength HM06 Rock Smash HM08 Rock Climb

By breeding

Move	Type	Cat.	Father
Counter			Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking
Crush Claw			Sandshrew, Sandslash Zangoose
Flail			Slakoth Slaking
Night Slash			Dugtrio Meowth, Persian Farfetch'd Seviper Absol Stunky, Skuntank Weavile
Rapid Spin			Sandshrew, Sandslash Donphan
Rock Slide			Camerupt
Safeguard			Vulpix Seel, Dewgong
Swords Dance			Raticate Farfetch'd Zangoose Absol

By tutoring

In Pokémon FireRed, Pokémon LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald:

• Body Slam
• Counter
• Double-Edge
• Mimic
• Rock Slide
• Seismic Toss
• Substitute
• Swords Dance

In Pokémon Emerald only:

• Defense Curl
• DynamicPunch
• Endure
• Fury Cutter
• Mud-Slap
• Rollout
• Sleep Talk
• Snore
• Swagger
• Swift

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

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

Trivia

Origin

Though its design appears to be inspired by armadillos, its actual inspiration was the pangolin, which is a scaly-anteater by another name. It to curls up into a ball, has sharp claws, and lives in deserty regions.

Name origin

Sandshrew's name is a combination of sand and shrew, a type of rodent. Its Japanese name simply refers to sand.

In other languages

• German: Sandan
• French: Sabelette - Sable means sand, belette means weasel.
• Korean: 모래두지 Moraeduji
• Chinese (Hong Kong and Taiwan): 穿山鼠 Chuan Shan Shű - A portmanteau of 穿山甲 Chuan Shan Jia, meaning pangolin, and 鼠, meaning mouse. Literally means 'mouse that passes through mountains'.

External links

• Article on Wikipedia
• Sand-Attack, the fanlisting for Sandshrew at The Anime Fanlistings Network

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