It is based on a lion cub or kitten. Its fur is mostly blue, yet there is a Pichu-like arrangement of black fur under its neck, and black fur under its torso. It has a long black tail with a gold four-pointed star on the end. Its forelegs each have a gold ring around them; these are electricity glands, similar to Pikachu's cheeks. It has large, oval ears with gold, star-like "fleur de lis" symbols on them. It has gold-pupiled eyes, and a pink-red nose. It has tufts of hair which will eventually grow into a mane; these can be seen on top and on the rear sides of its head. Whenever its mouth is shown open, small fangs can be seen developing.
Gender differences
A female's mane doesn't stick up as much as a male's. Also, all four paws of a female Shinx are blue while the hind-paws of a male are black.
Special abilities
As a defense, its fur can glow brightly to blind predators so it can escape. As an Electric-type, Shinx can also use moves such as Charge and Spark.
Behavior
All of its fur dazzles if danger is sensed. It flees while the foe is momentarily blinded.
Shinx also appeared in the movie The Rise of Darkrai. In the garden, Dawn's Piplup got into a fight with it over a Pecha Berry. They eventually began a fight among all the Pokémon. Not too long after, they were calmed down when Alice started playing Oración. Shinx decided to split the fruit in half and share the other with Piplup.
Shinx seems to come from shining and lynx. It may also be a portmanteau of the words shock or shine and either lynx, Sphynx or Sphinx. Its Japanese name may come from 子ko, child, and blink or lynx.
In other languages
German: Sheinux - From Schein (shine, glow) and Latin lux (light).
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.