Ekans (Pokémon)

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

Ekans Snake Pokémon 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 20 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 introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Arbok starting at level 22.

Biology

Ekans is a purple, serpentine Pokémon. Its eyes, underbelly, the thick stripe around its neck, 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. While painful, a newborn Ekans's bite is not venomous. This Pokémon grows longer with age.

Ekans lives in grassy savannas and plains, where it moves stealthily through grass. It preys on Eggs from Pidgey and Spearow nests, but can strike other prey from behind. By flicking its tongue out, it is able to detect danger and the scent of prey. Its jaw can detach to swallow large prey, but such a meal can make Ekans too heavy to move. It 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. It was also shown in the second movie to possess some swimming abilities. Its former signature move is Glare.

In the anime

In the main series

Ekans in the anime

Major appearances

Jessie's Ekans

Jessie had an Ekans, which she received as a chūgen gift (a birthday gift in the dub) prior to the start of the series. It debuted in Pokémon Emergency! and, for most of the original series, it was her only Pokémon. It was extremely loyal to her and eventually evolved into an Arbok in Dig Those Diglett! just to make her happy.

Team Meanies

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 of 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 between the Japanese names), this came across as a general mistake in the dub and was corrected in reruns of the episode.

Other

Multiple wild Ekans in A Poached Ego!, where they were captured by Rico. Jessie released her Arbok along with James's Weezing so they could protect these Ekans and a group of captured Koffing.

A Team Skull Grunt's Ekans appeared in Turning Heads and Training Hard!. It was quickly defeated by Ilima and his Eevee.

Minor appearances

An Ekans appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.

An Ekans appeared in Pikachu's Vacation as one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Theme Park.

Multiple Ekans appeared in The Power of One.

An Ekans appeared in the Japanese credits of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.

An Ekans appeared in Carrying On! as one of the sick Pokémon in Way Away Island's Pokémon Center.

An Ekans briefly appeared in Different Strokes for Different Blokes as a resident of Bewilder Forest.

An Ekans appeared in a fantasy in A Dancing Debut!.

An Ekans appeared in Loading the Dex! as a silhouette that Rotom Pokédex brought up.

An Ekans appeared in The Power of Us, where Ash caught it in a special blue Poké Ball for the Pokémon Catching Race.

Ekans in Pokémon Origins

In Pokémon Origins

An Ekans appeared in File 3: Giovanni.

In the manga

Ekans in Pokémon Adventures

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Jessie's Ekans

Jessie's Arbok first appeared 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 known as the Ekans Brothers are part of the supporting cast in the manga Magical Pokémon Journey. Led by Arbok, they are originally antagonists, but later befriend the main characters when Arbok gets a crush on Wigglytuff.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Ekans first appeared under the ownership of Koga appearing on his arm in Go for the Golbat.

An Ekans appeared in a flashback in Growing Out of Gengar where it was driven away from its home after the Power Plant had been abandoned.

Harry of the Team Rocket Elite Trio also has one which first appeared in The Coming of Slowpoke (Eventually).

A Team Rocket Grunt in Johto owns an Ekans in Sneasel Sneak Attack.

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 Quilava Quandary.

When Emerald was young, an Ekans helped him with his disabilities, shown in The Final Battle IV.

Team Skull Grunts were seen with an Ekans in PASM14.

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

Generation I Red(ENG) 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 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 Platinum 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 Black 2 It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind. White 2

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. Omega 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. Alpha Sapphire

Generation VII Ultra Sun By dislocating its jaw, it can swallow prey larger than itself. After a meal, it curls up and rests. Ultra Moon The eggs of bird Pokémon are its favorite food. It swallows eggs whole, so sometimes an egg gets stuck, and Ekans faints.

Game locations

Generation I Red Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23 Blue Trade Blue (Japan) Trade Yellow Trade

Generation II Gold Goldenrod Game Corner Silver Routes 3, 4, 32, and 33 Crystal Routes 3, 4, 32, 33, and 42MorningDay Routes 26, 27, 32, 33, and 42, Azalea Town (Headbutt trees)

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Trade, Event Emerald Trade, Event FireRed Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23 LeafGreen Trade, Event Colosseum Trade XD Trade

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Route 212 (FireRed) Platinum Route 212 (FireRed) HeartGold Goldenrod Game Corner Safari ZoneMorningDay SoulSilver Routes 3, 4, 32, and 33 Safari ZoneMorningDay Pal Park Forest

Generation V Black White Poké Transfer Black 2 White 2 Poké Transfer Dream World Dream Park

Generation VI X Y Route 14 (Horde Encounter) Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Trade

Generation VII Sun Moon Trade Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Route 2

In side games

Generation I Pinball Pewter City, Mt. Moon, Vermilion City Seaside, Rock Mountain, Lavender Town, Saffron City, Indigo Plateau

Generation II This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.

Generation III Trozei! Huge Storage 4, Endless Level 51, Pair Trozei, Mr. Who's Den MD Red MD Blue Western Cave (3F-5F) Ranger Olive Jungle

Generation IV MD Time MD Darkness Shimmer Desert (1F-9F) MD Sky Shimmer Desert (1F-9F) Rumble Rocky Cave (Normal Mode C)

Generation V Rumble Blast Cave: Rugged Flats Conquest Cragspur, Viperia, Valora, Dragnor Rumble U Chill Battle: The Forest of Memories

Generation VI Battle Trozei Pitch-Black Cavern: Stage 1 Shuffle Prasino Woods: Stage 556 Rumble World Black Realm: Obsidian Shrine (All Areas)

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

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Wrap Normal Physical 01515 09090% 20 011 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 08080% 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 VII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM06 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM09 TM09 Venoshock Poison Special 06565 100}}100% 10 TM10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM18 TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM21 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM26 TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM27 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM34 TM34 Sludge Wave Poison Special 09595 100}}100% 10 TM36 TM36 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM39 TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM41 TM41 Torment Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM45 TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM46 TM46 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM48 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM59 TM59 Brutal Swing Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM66 TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10 TM78 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM80 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM83 TM83 Infestation Bug Special 02020 100}}100% 20 TM84 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM97 TM97 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15 XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20

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

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Beat Up Dark Physical — 100% 10 Disable Normal Status — 100% 20 Iron Tail* Steel Physical 100 75% 15 Poison Fang Poison Physical 50 100% 15 Poison Tail Poison Physical 50 100% 25 Pursuit Dark Physical 40 100% 20 Scary Face Normal Status — 100% 10 Slam Normal Physical 80 75% 20 Snatch Dark Status — —% 10 Spite Ghost Status — 100% 10 Sucker Punch Dark Physical 70 100% 5 Switcheroo Dark Status — 100% 10

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Ekans in Generation VII 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 VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  S M US UM Aqua Tail Water Physical 90 90% 10 S M US UM Bind Normal Physical 15 85% 20 S M US UM Gastro Acid Poison Status — 100% 10 S M US UM Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10 S M US UM Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120 80% 5 S M US UM Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15 S M US UM Seed Bomb Grass Physical 80 100% 15 S M US UM Snatch Dark Status — —% 10 S M US UM Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15 S M US UM Spite Ghost Status — 100% 10

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 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!
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 R-000 If it spots a Capture Disc, Ekans will slither straight toward it.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Conquest HP: ★ Move: Poison Sting Attack: ★★ Ability 1: Intimidate Ability 2: Shed Skin Ability 3: Frighten Defense: ★★ Speed: ★★ Evolves into Arbok when its Attack is 59 or higher Range: 3 Perfect Links: Dōsan and Yazaemon
Pokémon Battle Trozei Poison Attack Power: ★★★★★			Pokémon Shuffle Poison Attack Power: 40 - 90 5 #693 Constrict Delays your opponent's disruptions even more.
Pokémon GO Base HP: 70 Base Attack: 110 Base Defense: 102 Egg Distance: 2 km Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: 50 Fast Attacks: Poison Sting, Acid Charged Attacks: Wrap, Sludge Bomb, Gunk Shot*, Poison Fang*

Evolution

Unevolved Ekans  Poison

Level 22 →

First Evolution Arbok  Poison

Sprites

Generation I Red Green Red Blue Yellow Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back

Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back

Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back

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

Trivia

Ken Sugimori artwork of Ekans from Pokémon Red and Blue

• 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 were yellow instead of just the one on its "neck". 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

Ekans appears to be based on a boa and rattlesnake, and its facial markings resemble an Indian cobra's hood. However, its lack of teeth, ability to swallow large prey, preying on Pokémon eggs, and reaction to threats are more akin to an egg-eating snake. The yellow band around its neck may refer to the ring-necked snake. Ekans and Arbok may also be inspired by the legendary basilisk since they were originally the only Pokémon to learn Glare. The basilisk was said to be a poisonous, serpentine dragon that would kill people with its stare, which may explain Ekans's place in the Dragon Egg Group.

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 Anagram of 보아 boa 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 Hindi एक्नस Ekans Transcription of English name Lithuanian Ekansas From English name Russian Эканс Ekans Transcription of English name

Related articles

• Jessie's Ekans
• Ekans Brothers
• Team Meanies

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

← #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.