Sandshrew (Japanese: サンド Sand) is a Ground-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Sandslash starting at level 22.
In Alola, Sandshrew has a regional variant that is Ice/Steel. It evolves into Alolan Sandslash when exposed to an Ice Stone.
Biology
Sandshrew blending in with its surroundings
Sandshrew is a bipedal mammalian Pokémon, but runs on all fours in the anime. Its brick-patterned yellow hide is dry, tough, blends in with desert sand, and protects its soft white underbelly and muzzle. Sandshrew has blue, almond-shaped eyes, a pointed snout, and triangular ears with white insides. Its tail is thick and conical. It has two long claws on each foot and three sharp claws on its forepaws, which are used to burrow.
Sandshrew spends much of its time hidden underground in deep burrows. It only emerges to lunge and drag in passing Bug-type Pokémon. Sandshrew can quickly curl into a tight ball to protect itself from great falls and opponents, but may also throw sand at attackers. While its body can efficiently absorb water to facilitate life in the desert, Sandshrew has been found in caves as well. If it is too wet, its skin becomes wrinkly. It dries itself out by using the geothermal heat near a volcano.
In the Alola region, Sandshrew migrated to snowy mountains due to the volcanic activity near the desert areas. Its body is a light, icy blue and with a cream-colored belly and muzzle. Thicker plates form a dome around its head and its ears resemble an igloo's entrances. In adapting to this cold climate, its body became larger and heavier with a shell of ice covering its hide. This steel-like covering grants it extra defense, but it is unable to curl into a ball like its desert counterpart. Predators, such as Weavile, exploit of its soft underbelly. Alolan Sandshrew's claws allow it to move without slipping on icy surfaces, but it slides on its stomach when it needs to move quickly.[1]
In the anime
Alolan Sandshrew in the anime
A Sandshrew
Egg in the anime
In the main series
Major appearances
Sandshrew debuted in The Path to the Pokémon League, under the ownership of A.J. Despite A.J.'s seemingly harsh and barbaric training methods, like using a whip on it and training in a pool, it was very loyal to him.
A Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon that played hide-and-seek in Pikachu's PikaBoo. Sandshrew hid by camouflaging itself in front of a brick wall.
A Sandshrew appeared in Sandshrew's Locker!, under the ownership of Mira. She enlisted Ash and his friends to help her retrieve Sandshrew after it was lost at the bottom of an artificial lake created by a dammed river.
Multiple Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Not Caving Under Pressure!, where they were menaced by a Tyranitar that wanted to take over their home inside a cave at Mount Lanakila. The group's leader, a giant Sandshrew, later evolved into an Alolan Sandslash after touching an Ice Stone.
Minor appearances
Three Sandshrew in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where Ash and Pikachu passed them while being chased by a flock of wild Spearow.
An ailing Sandshrew briefly appeared near the beginning of Clefairy and the Moon Stone. It was seen lying down, which Seymour described as it "drying out" because of the significant increase of light sources inside Mt. Moon.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Electric Shock Showdown.
A Sandshrew appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash as one of the Pokémon seen on Scissor Street.
A Sandshrew appeared in Sparks Fly for Magnemite, where it was seen in Gringey City's Pokémon Center.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back as one of the Pokémon Mewtwo defeated while serving for Giovanni.
A Sandshrew appeared in Pikachu's Vacation as one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Theme Park.
A Sandshrew appeared in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, where it was among the Pokémon living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in The Lost Lapras, where it was among the Pokémon brought to the Pokémon Center.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in The Joy of Pokémon, where it was treated by the Nurse Joy of an unnamed island.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Power of One.
Two wild Sandshrew appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure. One of them helped the Trainers' Pokémon and Elekid save the Exeggcute nests and Togepi during a storm.
Multiple Sandshrew appeared in Tanks a Lot!, where they were forced to flee from Team Rocket's rampaging Arbotank.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Fortune Hunters as one of the Pokémon stolen by Butch and Cassidy.
A Sandshrew appeared in Beauty and the Breeder, under the ownership of a Pokémon Breeder participating in a Pokémon breeding competition.
Multiple Sandshrew appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
A Sandshrew appeared in Got Miltank? as an inhabitant of a Pokémon-exclusive oasis.
Two Sandshrew appeared in Throwing in the Noctowl as some of the Pokémon seen living at Wings Alexander's barn.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Legend of Thunder!.
A Sandshrew appeared in A Tyrogue Full of Trouble, where it was seen receiving an apple from a Tyrogue.
Two Sandshrew appeared in Showdown at the Oak Corral, where they were among the Pokémon living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Sandshrew appeared in Gonna Rule The School!, under the ownership of the Pokémon Trainers' School. It was temporarily loaned to one of the school's underage students for use.
A Sandshrew made a brief cameo in Destiny Deoxys.
A Sandshrew appeared in Hi Ho Silver Wind! and Deceit and Assist, under the ownership of a Coordinator participating in the Hoenn Grand Festival.
Two Sandshrew appeared in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. One appeared during the opening sequence, while another was one of the Pokémon living in the Tree of Beginning.
A Coordinator's Sandshrew appeared in The Saffron Con.
A Coordinator's Sandshrew appeared in Once More With Reeling!, where it was seen participating in the Terracotta Contest.
A Sandshrew appeared in Not on MY Watch Ya Don't!, where it was among the Pokémon that were hypnotized by Team Rocket.
A Sandshrew appeared in Drifloon On the Wind!, where it was among the Pokémon that Marnie fed.
A Sandshrew appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1). Two additional Sandshrew appeared in the follow-up episode.
A Sandshrew made a brief cameo in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
A Sandshrew appeared in Camping It Up!.
A Sandshrew was seen at the Shelter Town's Pokémon Center in Battling a Cute Drama!.
Multiple Sandshrew made a cameo in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Lost at the League!.
A Sandshrew appeared in Lumiose City Pursuit!.
A Sandshrew appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction as a resident of Allearth Forest.
A Sandshrew appeared in Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad. It was among the Pokémon residing in a forest.
A Sandshrew appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Kalos League Passion with a Certain Flare!.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in The First Day of the Rest of Your Life!.
Two Sandshrew appeared in I Choose You!. One was among the Pokémon taking shelter from the rain in a cave alongside Entei.
Two Alolan Sandshrew debuted in Getting a Jump on the Competition!, where they were seen on Mount Lanakila.
A Trainer's Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Battling Besties!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP047
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Sandshrew
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon. Sandshrew hates moisture and lives in holes it digs in dry places. It protects itself by curling into a ball.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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SM060
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Sandshrew
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Rotom Pokédex
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Sandshrew, Alola Form. The Mouse Pokémon. An Ice and Steel type. Their outer armor is like steel, which prevents them from rolling up into a ball.
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In Pokémon Origins
A Sandshrew appeared in a flashback in File 2: Cubone.
A Sandshrew appeared in File 3: Giovanni at Silph Co.
In the manga
In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
Professor Oak owns a Sandshrew in The Electric Tale of Pikachu. He uses it in Clefairy in Space to stop a wild Clefairy from causing mischief.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Sandshrew makes a cameo in Onix is On!, battling Red's Bulbasaur as a Pewter Gym Trainer's Pokémon.
Red caught a Sandshrew prior to Make Way for Magmar!, which he uses to fight Fire-types such as Magmar.
A Sandshrew appeared in Murkrow Row as one of the residents of Gold's house.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Plugging Past Electrike I.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Deprogramming Porygon-Z.
An Alolan Sandshrew debuted in the Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc, where it was seen on Mount Lanakila.
In the TCG
- Main article: Sandshrew (TCG)
Game data
Pokédex entries
Sandshrew
Generation I
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Kanto #027
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Red(ENG)
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Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
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Blue
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Yellow
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Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
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Stadium
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When hunting, it hides at the lip of its burrow. If prey comes close, it lunges out and drags in the prey instantly.
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Generation II
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Johto #048
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Gold
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If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
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Silver
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Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
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Crystal
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It prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened.
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Stadium 2
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If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #112
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Kanto #027
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Ruby
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Sandshrew's body is configured to absorb water without waste, enabling it to survive in an arid desert. This Pokémon curls up to protect itself from its enemies.
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Sapphire
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Sandshrew has a very dry hide that is extremely tough. The Pokémon can roll into a ball that repels any attack. At night, it burrows into the desert sand to sleep.
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Emerald
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When it curls up in a ball, it can make any attack bounce off harmlessly. Its hide has turned tough and solid as a result of living in the desert.
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FireRed
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It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
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LeafGreen
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Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #048
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Diamond
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To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
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SoulSilver
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Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
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Generation V
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Unova B2W2: #113
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Black
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To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
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White
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Black 2
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It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Mountain #097
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Hoenn #117
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X
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It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
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Y
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Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
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Omega Ruby
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Sandshrew's body is configured to absorb water without waste, enabling it to survive in an arid desert. This Pokémon curls up to protect itself from its enemies.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Sandshrew has a very dry hide that is extremely tough. The Pokémon can roll into a ball that repels any attack. At night, it burrows into the desert to sleep.
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Generation VII
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Alola SM: #251
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Alola USUM: #328
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Kanto #027
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Sun
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It can roll its body into a ball. It moves through the desert by rolling at high speeds.
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Moon
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It usually makes its home in deserts and arid zones, where rain does not fall. It digs holes to catch Bug-type Pokémon.
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Ultra Sun
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It lives in areas of limited rainfall. When danger approaches, it curls up into a ball to protect its soft stomach.
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Ultra Moon
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When its skin gets wrinkled from moisture, it heads for a volcano. It lies flat on a spot with a lot of geothermal heat and dries itself out.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Alolan Sandshrew
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
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Generation VII
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Alola SM: #251
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Alola USUM: #328
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Kanto #027
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Sun
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It lives on snowy mountains. Its steel shell is very hard—so much so, it can't roll its body up into a ball.
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Moon
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An ancient tradition of Alolan festivals, still carried on to this day, is a competition to slide Sandshrew across ice as far as one can.
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Ultra Sun
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After fleeing a volcanic eruption, it ended up moving to an area of snowy mountains. Its ice shell is as hard as steel.
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Ultra Moon
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The skin on its back is as hard as steel. Predators go after its soft belly, so it clings to the ground desperately.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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Its ice-covered body lets it slide across the ground with bullet-like speed, sending its enemies flying when it hits them.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Game locations
In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
Held items
Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
Stats
Base stats
Sandshrew
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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50
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110 - 157
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210 - 304
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75
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72 - 139
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139 - 273
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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20
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22 - 79
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40 - 152
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30
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31 - 90
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58 - 174
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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Total: 300
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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 30.
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Alolan Sandshrew
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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50
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110 - 157
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210 - 304
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75
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72 - 139
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139 - 273
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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10
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13 - 68
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22 - 130
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35
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36 - 95
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67 - 185
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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Total: 300
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Sandshrew
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Alolan Sandshrew
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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Alolan Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
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Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Alolan Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
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Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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Alolan Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
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Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Alolan Sandshrew
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
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Sandshrew
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew 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 Sandshrew in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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Alolan Sandshrew
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew 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 Sandshrew in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
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Sandshrew
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Sandshrew can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Sandshrew cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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Alolan Sandshrew
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Sandshrew can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Sandshrew cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sandshrew
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Sandshrew
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TCG-only moves
Sandshrew
Side game data
Sandshrew
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:
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Poké Assist: (present)
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Field move: (present)
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(Crush ×1)
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Poké Assist: (past)
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Field move: (past)
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(Crush ×1)
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Browser entry R-180/N-010
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It triggers tremors and opens fissures that make Pokémon Paused.
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Alolan Sandshrew
Evolution
Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
Sprites
Trivia
- No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Alolan Sandshrew and its Alolan evolution.
- Sandshrew and its evolution share their category name with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, and Raichu. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called the Rat Pokémon.
- Alolan Sandshrew is the first Steel-type Pokémon in National Pokédex order.
- Alolan Sandshrew has the lowest base Special Attack stat of any Pokémon, tied with Shuckle, Feebas and Bonsly.
- Sandshrew has the lowest base Special Attack stat of all Ground-type Pokémon.
- Both Sandshrew and Alolan Sandshrew have Abilities that boost evasion in certain weather (Sandstorm for Sandshrew and Hail for Alolan Sandshrew) and Hidden Abilities that boost Speed in those same weather conditions.
- Alolan Sandshrew can be seen as a parallel to Alolan Vulpix. Both were initially introduced in Generation I and got Alola Forms in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Both Pokémon are Ice-type with Vulpix being exclusive to Sun and Sandshrew being exclusive to Moon. Furthermore, both Pokémon evolve when exposed to an Ice Stone.
- Alolan Sandshrew, Clefable, Latias, Gurdurr, Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Minior (Meteor Form) are all the same weight as Ethan.
Origin
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
Sandshrew may be based on the armadillo, a mammal that curls up into a ball, has sharp claws, and lives in desert regions. Both Sandshrew and Sandslash are mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some species of the shrew are poisonous. Sandshrew also closely resembles a pangolin.
Alolan Sandshrew seems to also be based on an igloo and a curling stone.
Name origin
Sandshrew is a combination of sand and shrew.
Sand is simply sand.
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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サンド Sand
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From sand
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French
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Sabelette
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From sable and belette
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Spanish
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Sandshrew
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Same as English name
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German
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Sandan
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From Sand
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Italian
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Sandshrew
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Same as English name
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Korean
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모래두지 Moreduji
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From 모래 morae and 두더지 dudeoji
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Mandarin Chinese
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穿山鼠 Chuānshānshǔ
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A portmanteau of 穿山甲 and 鼠. Literally "Mouse that passes through mountains"
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Cantonese Chinese
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穿山鼠 Chyūnsāansyú
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A portmanteau of 穿山甲 and 鼠. Literally "Mouse that passes through mountains"
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More languages
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Hebrew
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סנדרשרו Sendshroo
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Transcription of English name
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Hindi
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सांडश्रु Sandshrew
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Transcription of English name
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Lithuanian
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Smėlius
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Translation of English name
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Russian
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Сэндшрю Sendshryu
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Transcription of English name
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Notes
External links
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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.
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