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.
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.
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, and 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 notably has a crush on Virizion.
Spoilers end here.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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.
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.
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.