Snivy (Pokémon)

← #494: Victini	Pokémon	#496: Janovy →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Snivy (disambiguation).

Snivy ツタージャ Tsutarja #495
Art by Ken Sugimori from Black and White
Type Grass ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Grass Snake Pokémon
Abilities Overgrow Blue-Striped ----- Antagonist Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto — Hoenn — Sinnoh — Unova #001 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 17.9 lbs. Imperial 8.1 kg Metric 17.9 lbs./8.1 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Green	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 87.5% male, 12.5% female
Breeding Ground and Plant groups 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 1 Base Exp.: 28 Battle Exp.: 281*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Snivy (Japanese: ツタージャ Tsutarja) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves into Janovy starting at level 17, which evolves into Serperior starting at level 36.

Along with Tepig and Oshawott, Snivy is one of the starter Pokémon of the Unova region, able to be chosen at the beginning of Pokémon Black and White.

Biology

Physiology

Snivy is a reptilian Grass-type Pokémon. Most of its body is green in coloration, while it has a cream-colored underside. A yellow stripe runs down the length of its back and tail, and it also has yellow markings around its large eyes. Yellow, curved structures protrude from its shoulders and bend backwards. These structures resemble leaves or small wings, as well as a fleur-de-lis when viewed from the back, and give Snivy the appearance of wearing a collar. In spite of being snake-like in appearance, it has fully-developed limbs. Its slender arms are the same green color as the rest of its body and have three fingers, while its tiny feet match its underside in coloration and have no digits whatsoever. It has a large, palmate leaf with three prongs on the end of its tail.

Gender differences

None

Special abilities

It absorbs energy in the sunlight to grow more powerful, which also sharpens its movements and agility.

Behavior

It is a smart Pokémon with a cool demeanor. It usually basks in the sun and undergoes photosynthesis with its tail, which droops when it loses energy.

Habitat

Mostly they live in tall grass in forests, or in trees.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Snivy in the anime

Major appearances

Trip's Snivy

Main article: Trip's Janovy

In In The Shadow of Zekrom!, Professor Juniper gave Trip a Snivy as his starter Pokémon. He was able to defeat Ash's Pikachu with Leaf Tornado.

Ash's Snivy

Main article: Ash's Snivy

Ash's Snivy first appeared in BW007. She knows Attract, much to the dismay of Ash, who tried to catch her with most of his team being male. She was defeated by Pidove due to both of them having the same gender and Ash successfully captured her.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry BW001 Snivy Shooti's Pokédex Snivy, the Grass Snake Pokémon. It appears in the rarest tall grass. When it spins his tail, it can throw a lot of energy!

In the manga

The Unova Starters

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Snivy is also featured along with the other starter Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga as one of the starters in Professor Juniper's lab. While talking on the phone to Fennel, Tepig spilled some Berry Juice on Snivy, causing it to fight with Tepig. Eventually Oshawott joined in on the commotion until the three starter Pokémon had managed to make a mess of her office, after which Juniper returned them to their Poké Balls, commenting that she was worried that the three might be too much for their future Trainers.

In the Pokémon Master Black & White manga

Snivy is Monta's starter Pokémon in the Pokémon Master Black & White manga, a "walkthrough comic" based on the Black and White games.

In the TCG

Main article: Snivy (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby {{{rubydex}}} Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald {{{emeralddex}}} FireRed {{{firereddex}}} LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond {{{diamonddex}}} Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black It is very intelligent and calm. Being exposed to lots of sunlight makes its movements swifter. White しっぽで　たいようを　あびて　こうごうせいを　する。げんきを　なくすと　しっぽが　たれさがる。 Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Trade Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White One Starter Pokémon from Professor Juniper in Kanoko Town Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 45		105 - 152	200 - 294
Attack: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Defense: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Sp. Atk: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Sp. Def: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Speed: 63		61 - 126	117 - 247
Total: 308	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.

Type effectiveness

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

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

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

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

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

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Tackle Normal Physical 05050 100100% 35 044 Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 077 Vine Whip Grass Physical 03535 100100% 15 1010 Wrap Normal Physical 01515 09090% 20 1313 Growth Normal Status 0000— ——% 40 1616 Leaf Tornado Grass Special 06565 09090% 10 1919 Leech Seed Grass Status 0000— 09090% 10 2222 Mega Drain Grass Special 04040 100100% 15 2525 Slam Normal Physical 08080 07575% 20 2828 Leaf Blade Grass Physical 09090 100100% 15 3131 Coil Around Poison Status 0000— ——% 20 3434 Giga Drain Grass Special 07575 100100% 10 3737 Wring Out Normal Special 0000— 100100% 5 4040 Gastro Acid Poison Status 0000— 100100% 10 4343 Leaf Storm Grass Special 140140 09090% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Snivy Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Snivy Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM04	Calm Mind	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	20
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM12	Taunt	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM16	Light Screen	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM20	Safeguard	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	25
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM22	SolarBeam	Grass	Special	120120	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM33	Reflect	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	20
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM41	Torment	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM53	Energy Ball	Grass	Special	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM70	Flash	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM75	Swords Dance	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	TM86	Grass Knot	Grass	Special	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	HM01	Cut	Normal	Physical	05050	095}}95%	30
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Snivy Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Snivy

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Captivate	Normal	Status	—	100%	20
	Glare	Normal	Status	—	90%	30
	Iron Tail*	Steel	Physical	100	75%	15
	Magical Leaf	Grass	Special	60	—%	20
	Mean Look	Normal	Status	—	—%	5
	Mirror Coat	Psychic	Special	—	100%	20
	Natural Gift	Normal	Physical	—	100%	15
	Pursuit	Dark	Physical	40	100%	20
	Sweet Scent	Normal	Status	—	100%	20
	Twister	Dragon	Special	40	100%	20
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Snivy in Generation V 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 Snivy in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Snivy Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Snivy

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Grass Oath	Grass	Special	50	100%	10
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Snivy can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Snivy cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Snivy Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Snivy

Evolution

Unevolved Snivy  Grass

Level 17 →

First Evolution Janovy  Grass

Level 36 →

Second Evolution Serperior  Grass

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III.
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation IV.
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

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

Trivia

The three silhouettes on Pokémon Sunday

• Snivy and its fellow Black and White starters were first revealed as silhouettes on the May 9, 2010 episode of Pokémon Sunday. They were later revealed in full in the June 2010 issue of CoroCoro.
• Shortly after its release, much like many other Generation V Pokémon newly introduced, Snivy received the fan-made moniker, "Smugleaf". This name was picked up on and published in an article on video gaming-focused blog Kotaku and later in an issue of Official Nintendo Magazine Australia and New Zealand, as well as its United Kingdom counterpart.
• Ken Sugimori has said that Snivy's personality was meant to be similar to that of European (particularly French) royalty, specifically mentioning The Rose of Versailles anime as inspiration. The Rose of Versailles was also the inspiration for two characters of the day in the anime.
• Snivy is the first Template:Type2 starter Pokémon that is not listed as the first Pokémon in its regional Pokédex, although it is still #001. It is also the only Grass-type starter Pokémon that is not the first Pokémon of its generation in National Pokédex order.
• Snivy has the lowest base stats of all Grass-type starter Pokémon.
• Snivy is the only Grass-type starter Pokémon not in the Monster Egg Group and the first to be classified in the Ground Egg Group.
• Despite what its Pokédex entry for Black says, it cannot have the ability Chlorophyll.

Origin

Snivy may be based on Oxybelis fulgidus, a slender snake with a pointed head that inhabits Central America and South America. Its color scheme resembles Opheodrys aestivus, the North American grass snake that is likely the namesake of Snivy's species designation. The Pokémon's combination of snake- and lizard-like features is also similar to that of the skink, more specifically the Neoseps. Neoseps heavily resemble snakes but have small, stubby legs. Its head and general body shape, as well as its protrusions on its shoulders, may be based on the birds of paradise flowers or false birds of paradise. Snivy and its evolutionary line may also be based on the Serpent in the Garden of Eden story from the Old Testament. God had cursed the serpent to crawl on its belly and lose its legs for leading mankind to sin. Snivy's hidden ability also suggests this.

Name origin

Snivy could possibly be a combination of snake, snide, sly and ivy. It may also come from snark, a snide remark, or snicker, a sly or snide laugh. Also, it may come from envy, one of the seven deadly sins, possibly as a reference towards its possible origin. Tsutarja is possibly derived from ツタ tsuta, Japanese ivy, and 蛇 ja, snake.

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin French Vipélierre From vipère and lierre German Serpifeu From the suborder Serpentes and Efeu Chinese 藤藤蛇 Téng Téng Shé From 藤 and 蛇

Related articles

• Ash's Snivy
• Shooti's Snivy

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: List of the player's first Pokémon • Pikachu (Yellow) • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) • Hisui first partner Pokémon

← #494: Victini

Pokémon

#496: Janovy →

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.