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
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Poison Unknown Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Snake Pokémon
Abilities Intimidate or Shed Skin Shed Skin Blue-Striped ----- Unnerve Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #023 Johto #050 Hoenn #225 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-151 Almia R— Oblivia
Height 6'07" Imperial 2.0 m Metric 6'07"/2.0 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 15.2 lbs. Imperial 6.9 kg Metric 15.2 lbs./6.9 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Purple	Catch rate 255 (33.3%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Field and Dragon groups 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 62 Battle Exp.: 621*
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

Physiology

This reptilian Pokémon is serpentine. It has a rattle at the tip of its tail, and is mostly purple while its underbelly, eyes, rattle, and the "bands" on it are yellow.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Ekans are able to detach their jaws to swallow large prey whole, although this makes their bodies heavy. It can also use its tongue to sense danger, and can move quietly through the grass. Ekans was also shown in the second movie to possess some swimming abilities.

Behavior

Like actual snakes, Ekans will lash out with a bite when frightened by anything it sees as a threat. If one happens to be bitten by a young Ekans, they are lucky. As an Ekans, it does not possess the ability to add venom to its bite until after it evolves into an Arbok, though this last bit of information clashes with Ekans's dungeon phrase.

Habitat

Grassland Pokémon

Ekans live in grassy savannas and plains. It also inhabits cemeteries. It is normally found in Kanto and Johto, but has been encountered in Sinnoh on rare occasions.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Ekans' favorite food is Eggs from Pidgey and Spearow nests.

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! Special. 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 manga 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 Unknown Y Unknown

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 None Trade

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 V, 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× 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× 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× 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× None

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

Learnset

By leveling up

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

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  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— 09090% 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 4141 Haze Ice Status 0000— ——% 30 4444 Coil Poison Status 0000— ——% 20 4949 Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120120 07070% 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 V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM09	Venoshock	Poison	Special	06565	100}}100%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM26	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100100	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM34	Sludge Wave	Poison	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM36	Sludge Bomb	Poison	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM39	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	05050	080}}80%	10
	TM41	Torment	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	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
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	05050	100}}100%	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
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
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 V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	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	80	100%	5
	Switcheroo	Dark	Status	—	100%	10
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Ekans 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 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 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	Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	80	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Gastro Acid	Poison	Status	—	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Giga Drain	Grass	Special	75	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Gunk Shot	Poison	Physical	120	70%	5
B	W	B2	W2	Iron Tail	Steel	Physical	100	75%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Seed Bomb	Grass	Physical	80	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snatch	Dark	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10
A black 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

Dream World moves

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Dream Park	Beat Up	Dark	Physical	—	100%	10
Dream Park	Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	80	100%	15
A superscript level indicates that Ekans can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level 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 event 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.

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.
• 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.
• In early official art of Ekans, it was shown having all of the bands on its body being yellow, as opposed to just one. This was removed when later official artwork was released.
• Despite in-game text stating that young Ekans's bites are the least dangerous because they don't have any poison, in real-life, young snakes' bites are the most dangerous, because not only can they secrete venom, but they inject all of their venom in a single bite due to their inability to control their alveoli.
• Ekans, along with Meowth, Koffing and their respective evolutionary families, are all unaivalable in Pokémon Yellow. These three Pokémon represent the core of the Team Rocket Trio's team, and thus it makes sense that—because Yellow is based on the anime, wherein the Trio are major antagonists—these three Pokémon would be uncatchable.

Origin

It appears to be based upon a boa and rattlesnake. It may also draw inspiration from the Spectacled Cobra, as the markings on its face are similar. However, its lack of teeth or venom, ability to swallow large prey, reference to it eating Pokémon eggs and its reaction to threats may mean it might have been based on an egg-eating snake. The yellow "band" at its neck may be a reference to the ring-necked snake, whose venom is minimal.

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 보아 Boa backwards, and a transliteration of the 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

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.