* Sneasel, along with {{p|Eevee}}, {{p|Kirlia}} and {{p|Trapinch}}, are the only Pokémon with two Abilities that can evolve into Pokémon with only one Ability.
* Sneasel, along with {{p|Eevee}}, {{p|Kirlia}} and {{p|Trapinch}}, are the only Pokémon with two Abilities that can evolve into Pokémon with only one Ability.
** Sneasel is the only one of those four who didn't get a change in type.
** Sneasel is the only one of those four who didn't get a change in type.
* In {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}, Sneasel's skin was brown and it had blue feathers. This was rectified to match the original artwork in {{v2|Crystal}}.
* In {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}, Sneasel's skin was brown and it had turquoise feathers. This was rectified to match the original artwork in {{v2|Crystal}}.
* Sneasel and its {{p|Weavile|evolution}} are the only {{type|Ice}} Pokémon in the {{DL|List of Pokémon by color|Black|black color group}}.
* Sneasel and its {{p|Weavile|evolution}} are the only {{type|Ice}} Pokémon in the {{DL|List of Pokémon by color|Black|black color group}}.
* Sneasel can be seen as a parallel to {{p|Gligar}}. Both of them are dual-types, have the same base stat total, evolve into Pokémon {{p|Weavile|that}} {{p|Gliscor|were}} introduced in [[Generation IV]], and do so by leveling up at night while holding [[Evolution-inducing held item|items]] [[Razor Claw|both]] [[Razor Fang|containing]] the word ''razor''.
* Sneasel can be seen as a parallel to {{p|Gligar}}. Both of them are dual-types, have the same base stat total, evolve into Pokémon {{p|Weavile|that}} {{p|Gliscor|were}} introduced in [[Generation IV]], and do so by leveling up at night while holding [[Evolution-inducing held item|items]] [[Razor Claw|both]] [[Razor Fang|containing]] the word ''razor''.
Sneasel is a bipedal Pokémon which vaguely resembles a mix of cat and weasel. Its body is predominantly bluish-black (or dark teal green in some artworks), but it possesses bright red feather-like growths on its left ear and lower back. Its most striking features are the two retractable claws on its front and back paws. It also has distinctive yellow markings on its face and chest. It has unusual facial markings which resemble eyelashes, which are found on both males and females. They have an agile body, and are well skilled in quick movements and intricate techniques.
Gender differences
A female has a shorter red feather on its head than a male.
Special abilities
Sneasel normally attack by using claw-based moves, such as Slash or Metal Claw. Sneasel are also capable of learning punching moves like Ice Punch or Focus Punch. Since Sneasel is a Dark-type Pokémon, it can learn certain attacks that come with very disruptive effects: stealing an opponent's hold item (Thief), or preventing foes from using the same attack twice in a row (Torment). Sneasel is a very agile Pokémon, making it a tough target to hit.
Sneasel are notoriously vicious Pokémon, which are perfectly capable of using their impressive claws to do substantial amounts of damage. Sneasel enjoy attacking and injuring the weak; their nasty temperament can be seen in Hail to the Chef when one sabotaged Meowth's food, nearly leading to a clash of claws. Sneasel are very agile and will move with ninja-like movements in battle, as they are cunning and have developed many strategies to capture their prey. In addition to being formidable weapons, their claws are also useful tools and enable them to climb trees.
Sneasel also made an appearance in Hail to the Chef under the ownership of Rhoda, a girl that lives outside of Saffron City who was competing with her sister, who owned a Mr. Mime, for the ownership of her father's restaurant.
Sneasel's most predominant role is as one of Silver's Pokémon, probably his first Pokémon as it was the Pokémon he used during his training under the Masked Man, and the only one seen with him in flashbacks of his childhood prior to being kidnapped. It is a dexterous and crafty fighter that fully utilizes its speed and attacks of both the Dark type and the Ice type. After many years, it evolved into a Weavile with his Murkrow in Lance's hidden Whirl Islands chamber.
Sneasel can be seen as a parallel to Gligar. Both of them are dual-types, have the same base stat total, evolve into Pokémon thatwere introduced in Generation IV, and do so by leveling up at night while holding itemsbothcontaining the word razor.
Origin
Sneasel appears to be based on the kamaitachi, weasel demons with sickles on their front legs. It also shares similar traits with cats and weasels. It may be based on cat demons or black cats, known for being sneaky and associated with witchcraft and "evil". Its eye markings are similar to that of ones in Egyptian style, possibly Horus's, though they also strongly resemble the false eyelashes worn by Alex, the primary character in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange.
Name origin
Sneasel is a combination of sneaky and weasel. It may also derive from sneeze, an action associated with having a cold or being cold, referring to its Ice-type.
Nyula may be a combination of 潜入 sennyū (sneaking in) and 鼬 yū (weasel, an alternate reading of itachi). Alternatively, it may be a combination of new and 野良 nora (stray, as in a stray cat, as strays are usually violent and tricky). Nyu itself may be a combination of ニャー nya (the sound a cat makes) and 鼬 yū.
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.