Phanpy is a small, horizon-blue proboscidPokémon that resembles a baby elephant. It has large, floppy ears, which it uses as fans to cool itself. There are two red pads on each ear and another on the bridge of its short trunk. Phanpy has a single nail on each of its four feet, and a short tail.
This small trunk is sensitive, yet strong. It can send a person flying with an affectionate, playful bump of its snout. The trunk is also strong enough to shatter any arm bones it hits. Additionally, this little Pokémon is easily capable of carrying an adult human on its back.
Phanpy is found in rocky terrain. To make its nest, it digs a vertical pit near the edge of a river. It displays ownership of this area by marking it with its trunk. In the deserted morning hours, Phanpy uses its trunk to shower in the river. Sometimes, groups of this Pokémon form and soak each other thoroughly. Afterwards, it can be seen drying its body near the edge of the river. The reason is Phanpy won't settle down until it is clean.
It swings its long snout around playfully, but because it is so strong, that can be dangerous. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) As a sign of affection, it bumps with its snout. However, it is so strong, it may send you flying. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
For its nest, Phanpy digs a vertical pit in the ground at the edge of a river. It marks the area around its nest with its trunk to let the others know that the area has been claimed.
Phanpy uses its long nose to shower itself. When others gather around, they thoroughly douse each other with water. These Pokémon can be seen drying their soaking-wet bodies at the edge of water.
For its nest, Phanpy digs a vertical pit in the ground at the edge of a river. It marks the area around its nest with its trunk to let the others know that the area has been claimed.
Phanpy uses its long nose to shower itself. When others gather around, they thoroughly douse each other with water. These Pokémon can be seen drying their soaking-wet bodies at the edge of water.
Phanpy debuted in Spell of the Unown: Entei as one of the illusory Pokémon Molly Hale created in her dream world, thanks to the Unown. It was Molly's final Pokémon during her battle against Brock, where it was able to defeat Onix with only one Rollout attack.
Phanpy seems to be based on an elephantcalf. The red pads on its snout and ears may be inspired by the fabrics and jewelry used to adorn elephants during various celebrations in India. Its ability to curl itself and roll like a wheel appears to mimic tyres which is more obvious association in Donphan. Phanpy's Ground type may come from the fact that elephants like to play in mud or that tyres always stick to the ground and are made out of rubber which is known as a great insulator fitting the Electric-type immunity. Its bright coloration contrasting with Donphan's grey pallete bring reminescence of colorful toys.
Name origin
Phanpy may be derived from elephant and possibly infant or the diminutive suffix -y.
Gomazou may be a combination of 細かい komakai (small, minute) and 象 zō (elephant).
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.