Ekans (Pokémon)

← #022: Fearow	Pokémon	#024: Arbok →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Ekans (disambiguation).

Ekans アーボ Arbo #023 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Poison Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Intimidate or Shed Skin Cacophony Cacophony Unnerve Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 255 (43.9%)
Breeding Egg Groups Field and Dragon Hatch time 21 cycles
Height 6'07" 2.0 m Ekans 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 15.2 lbs. 6.9 kg Ekans 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 62 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 58 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 1 Ekans 0 HP 1 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Purple	Base friendship 70
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

Ekans (Japanese: アーボ Arbo) is a Poison-type Pokémon.

It evolves into Arbok starting at level 22.

Biology

Ekans is a purple, serpentine Pokémon. Its eyes, underbelly, stripe, and rattle are yellow. Ekans has three pairs of black lines encircling its body, as well as another line that connects each slitted eye and curves toward its nose. Its large mouth has a round, pink tongue and no visible teeth.

Ekans moves stealthily through grass and preys on Eggs from Pidgey and Spearow nests, but can strike other prey from behind. It grows longer with age and wraps itself around tree branches at night to rest. If not in a tree, it will coil itself up—a position in which it can defend itself from all directions. Its jaw can detach to swallow large prey, but such a meal can make Ekans too heavy to move. A newborn Ekans's bite is painful, but not venomous. It flicks its tongue out to detect danger and the scent of prey. It was also shown in the second movie to possess some swimming abilities. Ekans lives in grassy savannas and plains.

In the anime

Ekans in the anime

Major appearances

Jessie's Ekans

Jessie had an Ekans, which for most of the original series, was her only Pokémon. It was extremely loyal to her and eventually evolved into an Arbok just to make her happy.

Other

A poacher had captured a bunch of Ekans in A Poached Ego!.

Ekans was part of Team Meanies in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!. Gengar commanded the Poisonous Snake Pokémon to eat all the Berries Team Go-Getters collected. At one point, Ekans was incorrectly referred to as Arbok by Gengar. While this was an intentional error that Ekans rebuked in the original version (due to the similarities in the Japanese names), this came across as a general mistake in the dub and was corrected in reairings of the episode.

Minor appearances

An Ekans appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.

Multiple Ekans also appeared in The Power of One.

An Ekans was one of the sick Pokémon in a Pokémon Center in Carrying On!.

Ekans made a cameo appearance in Different Strokes for Different Blokes.

In the manga

Ekans in Pokémon Adventures

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Jessie's Arbok

Jessie's Arbok appears as both an Ekans and as an Arbok in The Electric Tale of Pikachu. It only appears as an Ekans in the seventh chapter of the manga, Pikachu's Excellent Adventure.

In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga

Main article: Ekans Brothers

A pair of Ekans, the Ekans Brothers, are part of the supporting cast in the manga Magical Pokémon Journey. Led by Arbok, they are originally antagonists, but later they befriend the main characters when Arbok gets a crush on Wigglytuff.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Koga has an Ekans in Pokémon Adventures. Harry of the Team Rocket Elite Trio also has one.

An Ekans was also one of the Pokémon pitted against Gold when he offered to help out at the Day Care near Goldenrod City.

In the TCG

Main article: Ekans (TCG)

In the TFG

One Ekans figure has been released.

• Next Quest: Ekans

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ekans is a member of Team Meanies. It attempted to climb Wish Cave with Medicham but collapsed on the first floor.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Moves silently and stealthily. Eats the eggs of birds, such as Pidgey and Spearow, whole. Blue Yellow The older it gets, the longer it grows. At night, it wraps its long body around tree branches to rest. Stadium Slithers silently through grass, searching for its favorite food--Pidgey and Spearow eggs.
Generation II Gold It can freely detach its jaw to swallow large prey whole. It can become too heavy to move, however. Silver It always hides in grass. When first born, it has no poison, so its bite is painful, but harmless. Crystal It flutters the tip of its tongue to seek out the scent of prey, then swallows the prey whole. Stadium 2 It can freely detach its jaw to swallow large prey whole. It can become too heavy to move, however.
Generation III Ruby Ekans curls itself up in a spiral while it rests. Assuming this position allows it to quickly respond to a threat from any direction with a glare from its upraised head. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald An Ekans curls itself up in a spiral while it rests. This position allows it to quickly respond to an enemy from any direction with a threat from its upraised head. FireRed A very common sight in grassland, etc. It flicks its tongue in and out to sense danger in its surroundings. LeafGreen Moving silently and stealthily, it eats the eggs of birds, such as Pidgey and Spearow, whole.
Generation IV Diamond It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold It can freely detach its jaw to swallow large prey whole. It can become too heavy to move, however. SoulSilver It always hides in grass. When first born, it has no poison, so its bite is painful, but harmless.
Generation V Black It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X The older it gets, the longer it grows. At night, it wraps its long body around tree branches to rest. Y Moving silently and stealthily, it eats the eggs of birds, such as Pidgey and Spearow, whole.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Common Routes 4, 11, and 23 (Red only) Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver Unlimited G Uncommon S Goldenrod Game Corner G Routes 3, 4, 32, and 33 S Crystal Few Routes 3, 4, 32, 33, and 42, Headbutting trees
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Common Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 23 (FireRed only) Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Dongle Route 212 (FireRed) Platinum Dongle Route 212 (FireRed) HeartGold SoulSilver Prize HG Uncommon HGSS Goldenrod Game Corner HG Safari Zone HGSS Routes 3, 4, 32 and 33SS Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Poké Transfer Black 2 White 2 None Poké Transfer Dream World Dream Park
Generation VI X Y Rare Route 14 (Horde)

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball	Pewter City Mt. Moon Vermilion City Seaside Rock Mountain Lavender Town Saffron City Indigo Plateau
Pokémon Trozei!	Huge Storage 4 Endless Level 51 Pair Trozei Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Western Cave (3F-5F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Shimmer Desert (1F-9F)
Pokémon Ranger	Olive Jungle
Pokémon Rumble	Rocky Cave Normal Mode C
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Cave: Rugged Flats
Pokémon Conquest	Cragspur Viperia Valora Dragnor

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
FRLG	Pokémon Trade and Battle Day Ekans	English	United States	14	September 25, 2004
RSEFRLG	Gather More Pokémon! Third Campaign Ekans	Japanese	Japan	10	January 14 to 29, 2006

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 35		95 - 142	180 - 274
Attack: 60		58 - 123	112 - 240
Defense: 44		44 - 105	83 - 205
Sp. Atk: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Def: 54		53 - 116	101 - 227
Speed: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Total: 288	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 40.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/5 ★★★☆☆	Power 3/4 ★★★☆
Skill 3/3 ★★★	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 13/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

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

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

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

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

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

Notes: In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Bug-type  moves is 2×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  00Start Wrap Normal Physical 01515 09090% 20 00Start Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 044 Poison Sting Poison Physical 01515 100100% 35 099 Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25 1212 Glare Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 1717 Screech Normal Status 0000— 08585% 40 2020 Acid Poison Special 04040 100100% 30 2525 Stockpile Normal Status 0000— ——% 20 2525 Swallow Normal Status 0000— ——% 10 2525 Spit Up Normal Special 0000— 100100% 10 2828 Acid Spray Poison Special 04040 100100% 20 3333 Mud Bomb Ground Special 06565 08585% 10 3636 Gastro Acid Poison Status 0000— 100100% 10 3838 Belch Poison Special 120120 09090% 10 4141 Haze Ice Status 0000— ——% 30 4444 Coil Poison Status 0000— ——% 20 4949 Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120120 09090% 5

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

By TM/HM

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  TM06 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 ??? 0   0   TM09 TM09 Venoshock Poison Special 06565 100}}100% 10 ??? 0   0   TM10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 ??? 0   0   TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5 ??? 0   0   TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 ??? 0   0   TM21 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 ??? 0   0   TM26 TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 ??? 0   0   TM27 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 ??? 0   0   TM28 TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 ??? 0   0   TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 ??? 0   0   TM34 TM34 Sludge Wave Poison Special 09595 100}}100% 10 ??? 0   0   TM36 TM36 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10 ??? 0   0   TM39 TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 ??? 0   0   TM41 TM41 Torment Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 ??? 0   0   TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 ??? 0   0   TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10 ??? 0   0   TM45 TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 ??? 0   0   TM46 TM46 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 ??? 0   0   TM48 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 ??? 0   0   TM66 TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10 ??? 0   0   TM78 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 ??? 0   0   TM80 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 ??? 0   0   TM83 TM83 Infestation Bug Special 02020 100}}100% 20 ??? 0   0   TM84 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 ??? 0   0   TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 15 ??? 0   0   TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 ??? 0   0   TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 ??? 0   0   TM97 TM97 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15 ??? 0   0   XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 ??? 0   0   ZHM04 HM04 Strength Normal Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 ??? 0   0

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

By breeding

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  Switcheroo Dark Status — 100% 10

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Ekans in Generation VI 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 Ekans in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ekans Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ekans Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Ekans can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Ekans cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ekans Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ekans Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 12.4% Friend Area: Wild Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP The poison in my fangs is wicked! 26%-50% HP My HP's gone down to half. 1%-25% HP Help... I'm running out of poison... Level up Yesss! I leveled up! I'll do my best! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Yesss! I leveled up! I'll do my best!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0.5% IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Poison  Poké Assist: ( Poison ) Field move: None Loops: 5 Min. exp.: 28 Max. exp.: 42 Browser entry   If it spots a Capture Disc, Ekans will slither straight toward it.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: ★ Move: Poison Sting Attack: ★★ Ability 1: Intimidate Defense: ★★ Ability 2: Shed Skin Speed: ★★ Ability 3: Frighten Evolves into Arbok when its Attack is 59 or higher Range: 3 Perfect Links: Dōsan and Yazaemon

Evolution

Unevolved Ekans  Poison

Level 22 →

First Evolution Arbok  Poison

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 Ekans images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Other sprites

Crystal back

Trivia

Ken Sugimori artwork of Ekans from Pokémon Red and Green

• In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Ekans was originally known as "Arbo". This is, of course, its romanized Japanese name.
• In early official art of Ekans, all of the bands on its body are yellow instead of just one. This was changed in later art.
• An Ekans was originally going to be featured in Pokémon Snap, shown in an early test shot of an environment that was never featured in the final product. This is also true of its evolution, Arbok.
• Ekans is one of fourteen Pokémon that one can collect foreign Pokédex entries for in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

Origin

It appears to be based on a boa and rattlesnake, and its facial markings resemble the spectacled cobra's. However, its lack of teeth, ability to swallow large prey, preying on Pokémon eggs, and its reaction to threats are more akin to an egg-eating snake. The yellow band around its neck may refer to the ring-necked snake.

Name origin

Ekans is snake spelled backwards.

Arbo is an anagram of ボア boa.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese アーボ Arbo Anagram of ボア boa French Abo Anagram of boa Spanish Ekans Same as English name German Rettan Natter spelled backwards Italian Ekans Same as English name Korean 아보 Abo Transliteration of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 阿柏蛇 Ābóshé Transliteration of the Japanese name, with the character for "snake" added at the end Cantonese Chinese 阿柏蛇 Ábaaksèh Transliteration of the Japanese name, with the character for "snake" added at the end

More languages Thai อาโบ Arbo Same as Japanese name

Related articles

• Jessie's Ekans
• Ekans Brothers

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

Notes

← #022: Fearow

Pokémon

#024: Arbok →

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.