Dunsparce (Pokémon)

← #205: Forretress

Pokémon

#207: Gligar →

Dunsparce ノコッチ Nokocchi #206
Art by Ken Sugimori from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Type Normal Unknown Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Land Snake Pokémon
Abilities Serene Grace or Run Away Run Away Blue-Striped ----- Rattled Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto #052 Hoenn #349 Sinnoh — Unova #035 Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia R-052 N-129
Height 4'11″ Imperial 1.5 m Metric 4'11″/1.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 30.9 lbs. Imperial 14.0 kg Metric 30.9 lbs./14.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	Catch rate 190 (24.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Field group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 1 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 125 Battle Exp.: 1251*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Dunsparce (Japanese: ノコッチ Nokocchi) is a Normal-type Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Biology

Physiology

Dunsparce are pale yellow, serpentine Pokémon with two small, white-colored wings that are capable of lifting the Pokémon a few inches off the ground. They also possess a drill on the end of their tail, which resembles a rattlesnake's rattle, and is used for digging. Besides their main pale yellow coloration, they have accentuations of blue, such as the ring patterning encircling their eyes, the thick stripes on the pattern on their back, and their underside. They also have beige accentuations, such as their eyelids and back. Dunsparce's eyes seem perpetually closed and goggle-like in appearance, and there are pointed prongs on the underside of their chin.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

At first glance, these Pokémon appear plain. However, Dunsparce make themselves quite elusive.

They also are able to dig extremely well and fly a little using their small wings.

Behavior

Dunsparce are extremely shy of human beings and rarely ever make themselves known. However, they are known to swarm on random occasions.

Habitat

Cave Pokémon

Dunsparce prefer to live in caves, forests, and large wide open spaces.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Dunsparce in the anime

Major appearances

Dunsparce made its anime debut in The Dunsparce Deception.

Another Dunsparce appeared in BW131. Ash tried to catch Dunsparce, but Iris's Axew bumped into Ash's Pikachu, which led to Dunsparce escaping.

Minor appearances

A Dunsparce was seen in the wild in The Legend of Thunder!.

A Dunsparce made a cameo appearance in Following a Maiden's Voyage! in Ariados's web.

Another Dunsparce made a cameo in Team Shocker! doing an appeal.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP191 Dunsparce Ash's Pokédex Dunsparce, the Land Snake Pokémon. When discovered, the Dunsparce uses its tail to burrow into the earth and evade capture.

In the manga

File:Roseanne Dunsparce.png

Dunsparce as it appears in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Crystal and her Chikorita accidentally get caught in one of Lt. Surge's electrical traps trying to retrieve the ball containing a Dunsparce that they captured.

Much later, in Volume 23, a little girl that owns a Dunsparce faxed Bill and informs him of Deoxys' rampage and Giovanni's subsequent appearance on Kin Island.

Many volumes later, in the Diamond & Pearl arc, Roseanne is attacked by a pack of Yanmega controlled by Mars. Diamond told her to take refuge in the hole her Dunsparce dug.

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry Pokémon Adventures PS119 Whenever it's being scrutinized at or if it feels threatened, it will start drilling a hole with its tail, in an attempt to escape from underground.*

In the TCG

Main article: Dunsparce (TCG)

Game data

NPC Appearances

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity: Dunsparce is a supporting character throughout the game. His best friend is Emolga. He is known to be a coward but despite that, he goes off into dungeons without his friend's consent. Dunsparce first appears as a client on the request board who needs to be rescued from Stompstump Peak. The partner and partner give a crystal they found while in the dungeon to him. When Virizion arrives into town, he uses the crystal as a proposal for Virizion to be his friend. Virizion refuses, and Dunsparce flees. Two Pawniard appear saying that they can help him become stronger when in reality they just want to rip him off of everything he's got. Dunsparce buys into their scam and they head off into the Desolate Canyon dungeon together. The player and partner follow. When they get to a clearing, Dunsparce realizes that something isn't right and tries to flee but Pawniard trap him and make demands. The player and partner arrive just in time. Panwiard, realizing that they are outmatched and outnumbered call upon two Galvantula and Venipede to back them up. When looks like it is the end for the team, Emolga, Gurdurr, Timburr, and Virizion all suddenly arrive and with their help they defeat the gang who then flees further into the canyon. It is after this heroic feat that Dunsparce and his friend Emolga decide to join the player and partner's exploration team and are accepted as the first two members. When Espeon and Umbreon arrive in Post Town and explain their mission, the player, partner, and friends decide they want to help. Quagsire says that one of them will have to stay behind because it is a rule of HAPPI. After Scraggy makes a suggestion that the weakest member should stay behind, Dunsparce gets worried that he might be the one who ends up staying behind. The night before the expedition, Dunsparce takes time to reflect on top of the hill in Post Town, when Virizion suddenly comes up to it. Dunsparce tells Virizion it's goals and the two have a heart to heart conversation. The next morning, Virizion volunteers to stay behind. It, Emolga, and the player and partner become upset with the decision and Emolga decides that the only way they can be fair is to draw straws. The next day, the team draws straws and whoever gets the shortest one ends up staying behind. Thinking that he influenced Virizion's decision to stay behind, Dunsparce voluenteers to be the one to stay back in Pokémon Paradise. As they are about to depart via the Magnagate, Dunsparce and the team say their farewells and Emolga decides that Dunsparce should go and pushes him into the Magnagate and stays behind willingly. After getting teleported to the front entrance to Telluric Path, Dunsparce regrets that Emolga can't go but decides to move forward and that Emolga wouldn't want him moping around. Early during their trek through the Glacier Palace, Dunsparce comments that he is having trouble breathing. He decides to ignore the feeling and go on with this teammates. When the team gets deep into the palace and enters a long hallway, soon everyone begins to have trouble breathing and collapses. Only the player is unaffected and left to watch his comrades slowly dying. Thankfully, Kyurem foresaw their arrival and saves them from their fate. He says that the part of the palace they were in was surrounded by a mysterious energy and that not even Kyurem has been able to enter past there. Kyurem says that the rest of the palace is off limits and that they should turn back now, but not before rewarding them with its great treasure.

	Spoilers end here.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold When spotted, this Pokémon escapes backward by furiously boring into the ground with its tail. Silver If spotted, it escapes by burrowing with its tail. It can float just slightly using its wings. Crystal It hides deep inside caves where no light ever reaches it and remains virtually motionless there. Stadium 2 When spotted, this Pokémon escapes backward by furiously boring into the ground with its tail.
Generation III Ruby Dunsparce has a drill for its tail. It uses this tail to burrow into the ground backwards. This Pokémon is known to make its nest in complex shapes deep under the ground. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald Its drill-tipped tail is used to burrow into the ground backwards. This Pokémon is known to make its nest in complex shapes deep under the ground. FireRed If spotted, it escapes by burrowing with its tail. It can float just slightly using its wings. LeafGreen When spotted, this Pokémon escapes backward by furiously boring into the ground with its tail.
Generation IV Diamond It digs into the ground with its tail and makes a mazelike nest. It can fly just a little. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold When spotted, this Pokémon escapes backward by furiously boring into the ground with its tail. SoulSilver If spotted, it escapes by burrowing with its tail. It can float just slightly using its wings.
Generation V Black It digs into the ground with its tail and makes a mazelike nest. It can fly just a little. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 It creates mazes in dark locations. When spotted, it flees into the ground by digging with its tail. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver Rare Dark Cave Crystal Rare Dark Cave
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Always Three Isle Port Colosseum One Miror B.'s Hideout (Shadow) XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Swarm Route 208 Platinum Swarm Route 208 HeartGold SoulSilver Rare Dark Cave Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White Rare Route 12 Black 2 White 2 Rare Routes 1, 2, 6, 12, 18 and 20, Floccesy Ranch, Dreamyard, Village Bridge, Victory Road and Nature Preserve (rustling grass) Route 6* and Floccesy Ranch (Hidden Grotto)* Dream World Icy Cave
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Channel	Mt. Snowfall
Pokémon Trozei!	Secret Storage 10 Endless Level 11 Pair Trozei Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Great Canyon (1F-3F) Wish Cave (43F-44F) Joyous Tower (43F-44F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Foggy Forest (1F-5F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity	Magnagate dungeons, Strongest Trail, Rusty Mountain, Jaws of the Abyss (Golden Chamber), Cape at the Edge, Automatically recruited after completing Desolate Canyon, Moonlit Forest (Mapless Street), Smoking Mountain (Golden Chamber)
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs	Rasp Cavern Ice Temple
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Cave: Rugged Flats

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
	Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Horn Drill Dunsparce	English	United States	5	February 22 to March 14, 2002
	Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Fury Attack Dunsparce	English	United States	5	January 31 to February 6, 2003

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 100		160 - 207	310 - 404
Attack: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Defense: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Sp. Atk: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Sp. Def: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Speed: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Total: 415	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.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/3 ★★☆	Power 3/4 ★★★☆
Skill 1/2 ★☆	Stamina 3/4 ★★★☆
Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆	Total 13/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

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

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 0× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 0× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 0× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 0× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Ghost-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

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

BW B2W2 Move Type Cat. Power Accuracy PP 000Start 000Start Rage Normal Physical 02020 100}}100% 20 0044 000Start Defense Curl Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 40 01616 0044 Rollout Rock Physical 03030 090}}90% 20 02020 0077 Spite Ghost Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 02424 01010 Pursuit Dark Physical 04040 100}}100% 20 02828 01313 Screech Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 40 0088 01616 Yawn Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 04848 01919 AncientPower Rock Special 06060 100}}100% 5 03838 02222 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 03333 02525 Roost Flying Status 0000— —}}—% 10 01212 02828 Glare Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 30 05353 03131 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 N/AN/A 03434 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100}}100% 15 04343 03737 Coil Poison Status 0000— —}}—% 20 N/AN/A 04040 Endure Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 N/AN/A 04343 Drill Run Ground Physical 08080 095}}95% 10 05858 04646 Endeavor Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 5 06363 04949 Flail Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 15

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

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - 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
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM22	SolarBeam	Grass	Special	120120	100}}100%	10
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM25	Thunder	Electric	Special	120120	070}}70%	10
	TM26	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100100	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM35	Flamethrower	Fire	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM38	Fire Blast	Fire	Special	120120	085}}85%	5
	TM39	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	05050	080}}80%	10
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM57	Charge Beam	Electric	Special	05050	090}}90%	10
	TM59	Incinerate	Fire	Special	03030	100}}100%	15
	TM67	Retaliate	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	5
	TM73	Thunder Wave	Electric	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM74	Gyro Ball	Steel	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	5
	TM77	Psych Up	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM78	Bulldoze	Ground	Physical	06060	100}}100%	20
	TM80	Rock Slide	Rock	Physical	07575	090}}90%	10
	TM84	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	08080	100}}100%	20
	TM85	Dream Eater	Psychic	Special	100100	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM93	Wild Charge	Electric	Physical	09090	100}}100%	15
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	04040	100}}100%	15
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Dunsparce Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Dunsparce Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Agility	Psychic	Status	—	—%	30
	AncientPower	Rock	Special	60	100%	5
	Astonish	Ghost	Physical	30	100%	15
	Bide	Normal	Physical	—	—%	10
	Bite	Dark	Physical	60	100%	25
	Curse	Ghost	Status	—	—%	10
	Headbutt	Normal	Physical	70	100%	15
	Hex	Ghost	Special	50	100%	10
	Magic Coat	Psychic	Status	—	—%	15
	Secret Power‡	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20
	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
	Trump Card	Normal	Special	—	—%	5
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Dunsparce 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 Dunsparce in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Dunsparce Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Dunsparce Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Aqua Tail	Water	Physical	90	90%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Bind	Normal	Physical	15	85%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Drill Run	Ground	Physical	80	95%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Endeavor	Normal	Physical	—	100%	5
B	W	B2	W2	Iron Tail	Steel	Physical	100	75%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Last Resort	Normal	Physical	140	100%	5
B	W	B2	W2	Magic Coat	Psychic	Status	—	—%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Pain Split	Normal	Status	—	—%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Roost	Flying	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Stealth Rock	Rock	Status	—	—%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Zen Headbutt	Psychic	Physical	80	90%	15
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Dunsparce can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Dunsparce cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Dunsparce Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Dunsparce Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Dream World moves

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Icy Cave	Stealth Rock	Rock	Status	—	—%	20
Icy Cave	Magic Coat	Psychic	Status	—	—%	15
A superscript level indicates that Dunsparce can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Dunsparce Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Dunsparce Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 206.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 7.6% Friend Area: Echo Cave Phrases 51%-100% HP Please, don't look at me like that. It makes me very self-conscious. 26%-50% HP Oh, please don't say so. Half my HP is already gone? 1%-25% HP I give up... I don't have the energy to even flee... Level up Leveled up! Oh, but please don't look... It isn't very nice. 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 Leveled up! Oh, but please don't look... It isn't very nice.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.4% IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
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  ( Normal ) Past ( Normal ) (Crush ×1) Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It lets loose shock waves to attack.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A 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: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Does not evolve Dunsparce  Normal

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
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 Dunsparce images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Other sprites

Crystal back sprites

Trivia

• In the anime, Dunsparce is usually shown to be much shorter than 5 feet, which is its listed height (or in this case, length) in the games.
  • It is also shown as much smaller than its listed height in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, being even smaller than Pikachu.

Origin

Dunsparce is based on the mythical tsuchinoko. Similar to Bigfoot or the Chupacabra, sightings and reports appear in Japanese media; however, hard evidence is always lacking. Tsuchinoko are 30 cm to 80 cm long, with a large head and poisonous fangs. Its body is thicker than its head and tail. The noises it makes resemble squeaks, chirps and snores. Unlike real snakes, which slither from side to side, a tsuchinoko wiggles ahead in a straight line. The tsuchinoko curls its body to leap through the air. Moreover, the fact that Dunsparce, a snake-like creature, has wings also brings to mind the motif of the Feathered Serpent, a prominent deity or supernatural being in many Mesoamerican religions. In addition, Dunsparce shares some traits with bumblebees, including their stripes, tiny wings, stinger-like tail, and the fact that they burrow into the ground. This may be a visual pun inspired by the name "bachi hebi" (literally "bee snake"), which the tsuchinoko is also known by.

Name origin

Dunsparce may be a combination of dun (grayish yellow or gloomy) and sparse (referring to its rarity).

Nokocchi is an anagram of つちのこ tsuchinoko, a fabled snakelike creature.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ノコッチ Nokocchi Anagram of つちのこ tsuchinoko French Insolourdo From insolite and lourdeau Spanish Dunsparce Same as English name German Dummisel From dumm and Meißel Italian Dunsparce Same as English name Korean 노고치 Nogochi Transliteration of its Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 土龍弟弟 / 土龙弟弟 Tǔlóngdìdì From 土 tǔ, 龍 lóng, and 弟弟 dìdì Cantonese Chinese

More languages

External links

← #205: Forretress

Pokémon

#207: Gligar →

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.