Squirtle (Japanese: ゼニガメ Zenigame) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Wartortle starting at level 16, which evolves into Blastoise starting at level 36.
Along with Bulbasaur and Charmander, Squirtle is one of three starter Pokémon of Kanto available at the beginning of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
Biology
Squirtle is a small Pokémon that resembles a light-blue turtle. While it typically walks on its two short legs, it has been shown to run on all fours in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It has large, purplish or reddish eyes and a slightly hooked upper lip. Each of its hands and feet have three pointed digits. The end of its long tail curls inward. Its body is encased by a tough shell that forms and hardens after birth. This shell is brown on the top, pale yellow on the bottom, and has a thick white ridge between the two halves.
Squirtle's shell is a useful tool. It can withdraw into the shell for protection or to sleep. The grooved, rounded shape helps to reduce water resistance, allowing the Pokémon to swim at high speeds. Squirtle can spray foamy water from its mouth with great accuracy. Squirtle is scarce in the wild, although it can be found around small ponds and lakes. The anime has shown that it can be found living on secluded islands with other members of its evolutionary line. In the past, Skull Bash was its signature move. Sharpedo is a natural predator of Squirtle.
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
In a flashback in Challenge of the Samurai, a Squirtle was depicted battling and defeating Samurai's Metapod.
It wasn't until The Ties that Bind that it was revealed that the Trainer who took Squirtle was Gary Oak, Ash's rival. By then, it had already evolved into a Blastoise.
Squirtle was seen in a flashback during I Choose You!, which is set in a different continuity from the main series. Professor Oak revealed to Ash that it had already been collected.
Squirtle physically debuted in Here Comes the Squirtle Squad as the leader of the Squirtle Squad, a gang of rogue Squirtle who were deserted by their Trainers. Ash befriended and caught this Squirtle, who stayed with Ash until The Fire-ring Squad!, when it returned to the Squirtle Squad. However, it briefly reappeared in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, to assist Ash with his final battle against Brandon.
The Squirtle Squad were a gang of rogue Squirtle who were deserted by their Trainers, who appeared in Here Comes the Squirtle Squad. While Ash befriended and caught their leader, the rest of them became a firefighting group.
May received a Squirtle from Professor Oak in The Right Place and the Right Mime. This Squirtle was visibly younger and timid but was used in several Contests. Squirtle would evolve into Wartortle by the time it appeared in Staging a Heroes Welcome.
The main character in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate! special is a Squirtle that claims that he used to be human. He joins Team Go-Getters in their rescue work. While he can't use Water Gun, he is happy to use Bubble because it looks pretty.
Tierno's Squirtle debuted in Summer of Discovery!. It evolved into Wartortle by the time of Good Friends, Great Training! and then into Blastoise by Tag Team Battle Inspiration!.
Other
In Beach Blank-Out Blastoise, multiple Blastoise and Wartortle were troubled by their leader, a Blastoise, not waking up.
In Mewtwo Strikes Back, a Squirtle was cloned from Ash's Squirtle. It then participated in the battle between the original Pokémon and the cloned Pokémon. Squirtle reappeared in Mewtwo Returns.
In Journey to the Starting Line!, a Squirtle was one of the three Kanto starter Pokémon Gilbert was supposed to choose from. After they were scared off by Ash's Tauros, Professor Oak, Tracey, Delia, and Gilbert had to split up and find the three missing Pokémon. Squirtle was the second one found, being found stuck in a tree that was hanging over a cliff. Ash's Bulbasaur managed to catch Squirtle before it could fall off the cliff.
In A Six Pack Attack!, a Squirtle went with Professor Oak on his trip to Hoenn along with a Bulbasaur and Charmander.
Minor appearances
Squirtle made its debut in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where Ash dreamed about one as his prospective starter.
Two Squirtle appeared in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, with one under the ownership of a Gentleman and the other under the ownership of a Trainer.
In The Ultimate Test, the Pokémon League entrance exam instructor's Squirtle was used by a Nurse Joy.
In Pokémon Fashion Flash, a Squirtle was on Scissor Street.
A Squirtle appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
In Friends to the End, a Trainer's Squirtle was at the closing ceremonies of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
A Squirtle appeared in Marina's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.
A starter Squirtle appeared in a flashback in Don't Touch That 'dile.
A Squirtle appeared in Brock's fantasy in A Better Pill to Swallow.
In Dueling Heroes, a Trainer's Squirtle participated in the Whirl Cup.
A Squirtle appeared in Gonna Rule The School!, belonging to the Pokémon Trainers' School. It was temporarily loaned to one of the school's underage students for use.
A Squirtle appeared in Borrowing on Bad Faith!.
In Sticking With Who You Know!, a Squirtle fell in love with a Raichu under the influence of Professor Kodama's machine.
In Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade, a Squirtle Meloetta's concert.
In The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion!, a Squirtle was part of Professor Oak's demonstration with the Kanto starters during the Kanto Fair.
A Trainer's Squirtle appeared in A Shocking Grocery Run!.
A Trainer's Squirtle appeared in I Choose You!.
A wild Squirtle appeared in Alola, Kanto!.
Four Trainers' Squirtle appeared in The Power of Us.
A female Trainer used her Squirtle in Enter Pikachu! to weaken a Caterpie she wanted to catch.
In Legend? Go! Friends? Go!, a Squirtle was one of the starter Pokémon Professor Cerise offered to Goh, but it was rejected.
A Trainer's Squirtle appeared in The Cuteness Quotient!.
A Squirtle appeared in a fantasy alongside the other starter Pokémon in Getting More Than You Battled For!.
A Squirtle appeared in Eyes on the Goal!, under the ownership of the Shell Sage.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
|
Pokémon
|
Source
|
Entry
|
| EP012
|
Squirtle
|
Ash's Pokédex
|
Squirtle. This Tiny Turtle Pokémon draws its long neck into its shell to launch incredible water attacks with amazing range and accuracy. The blasts can be quite powerful.
|
|
| Episode
|
Pokémon
|
Source
|
Entry
|
| XY039
|
Squirtle
|
Serena's Pokédex
|
Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon. During battle, Squirtle hides in its shell that sprays water at its opponent whenever it can.
|
|
Pokémon Origins
Blue chose Squirtle as his starter Pokémon in File 1: Red. He later used it to battle Red's Charmander and won with ease. Sometime before Red went to the Pokémon Tower in File 2: Cubone, Squirtle evolved into Wartortle. It was shown later as a Blastoise in File 4: Charizard, when it battled Red's fully evolved Charizard.
In File 1: Red, a Squirtle was one of the Pokémon seen in Professor Oak's introduction.
Pokémon: Twilight Wings
A Squirtle appeared in The Gathering of Stars, under the ownership of Honey.
GOTCHA!
A Squirtle briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.
In the manga
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
- Main article: Ash's Squirtle
Ash's Squirtle debuts in You Gotta Have Friends. Squirtle's capture is not shown in the manga, it is simply stated when it appears from its Poké Ball that "Ash has been busy since the last comic".
Ash's Pikachu also meets an abandoned Squirtle in the chapter Pikachu's Excellent Adventure. This Squirtle, along with other Pokémon, helps Pikachu find the Hidden Village after he is separated from Ash and friends.
Magical Pokémon Journey
- Main article: Squirtle (MPJ)
Squirtle debuts in Christmas Wishes. It admires Almond and refers to him as his "big brother".
Squirtle also has five sisters, who appear in The Five Sisters of Squirtle. Two of his sisters are also Squirtle, twins named Kamee and Kameao.
Movie adaptations
- Main article: Ash's Squirtle
Ash's Squirtle appeared in Mirage Pokémon Lugia's Explosive Birth.
A Squirtle appeared in a flashback in ICYR1, under the ownership of Professor Oak.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Blasty
Green stole a Squirtle from Professor Oak, which she nicknamed Blasty. He has since evolved into Wartortle and then Blastoise more quickly than the others, possibly due to her innate talent in evolving Pokémon, as acknowledged by the Masked Man. Blasty is never shown in his Squirtle form, (save the contents page of the third volume and a picture Professor Oak had of Green stealing him from his lab). His first appearance, as a Wartortle, is in Wartortle Wars, returning as a Blastoise in Zap, Zap, Zapdos.
In The Jynx Jinx, a Squirtle was seen a silhouette when Green talks about Mew.
In PS552, Professor Sycamore has a Squirtle with him.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
A Squirtle appeared in GDZ38, under the ownership of Kamero.
Pokémon Newspaper Strip
Misty has a Squirtle in the Pokémon Newspaper Strip.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
A Squirtle appeared in Introducing the Pokémon Clefairy!! as one of the starter Pokémon Red and Green had to choose from.
Giovanni was revealed to have a Squirtle in Squirtle, the Crybaby Pokémon when he was coming up with three grand schemes.
A Squirtle appeared in Fighting Over Otoshidama!!.
A Squirtle appeared in Take me to the Dragon Palace!.
A Squirtle appeared in Special Fireworks!!.
Pokémon Zensho
Shigeru's starter Pokémon was a Squirtle he received from Professor Oak.
In the TCG
- Main article: Squirtle (TCG)
Other appearances
Squirtle is seen on the stage Pokéfloats and is the first Pokéfloat to appear. Play begins on its head and arms until it slowly leaves off the bottom of the screen. After traveling through all the Pokéfloats, the screen will be empty for a few seconds before Squirtle pops up and the cycle begins again.
Trophy information
Retreating into its shell and spitting water at its foes is Squirtle's trademark response to danger. It's one of the three Pokémon that Trainers can receive from Professor Oak in Pokémon Red and Blue. Squirtle evolves into Wartortle and then Blastoise, ramping up its water powers with each evolution.
Squirtle from
Super Smash Bros. UltimateSquirtle is a playable Pokémon used by the Pokémon Trainer alongside Ivysaur and Charizard. It can use Waterfall to recover from falls as well as Withdraw, in which case it retreats to its shell and shoots water from the back of it propelling him forwards. It also uses Water Gun to push enemies with a stream of water. Squirtle is a lightweight and uses various attacks using its shell and Water-type moves to combat its foes. It uses Hydro Pump in the Pokémon Trainer's Final Smash, Triple Finish.
Trophy information
"A Tiny Turtle Pokémon. In times of danger, it pulls its arms and legs inside its shell to protect from enemy attacks. When it conceals its neck, it also shoots a powerful stream of water from its mouth. Its shell not only protects its body, but also reduces water friction when in the water. When leveled up, it evolves into Wartortle."
Squirtle trophy in
Super Smash Bros. for 3DSSquirtle does not return as a playable character in either version of the game. Instead, it appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.
Trophy information
NA: At the start of their Pokémon adventures, many aspiring trainers visit Professor Oak to choose one of three starter Pokémon. Squirtle's always a popular choice, what with it being so gosh-darn adorable. When it's in danger, though, it withdraws into its shell and spits a high-pressure burst of water—a bit less adorable.
PAL: At the start of their Pokémon adventures, many aspiring trainers visit Professor Oak to choose one of three starter Pokémon. Squirtle's always a popular choice, what with him being so flipping adorable. When it's in danger, though, it withdraws into its shell and spits a high-pressure burst of water, which isn't quite so adorable.
Squirtle appears once again as a playable Pokémon fighter used by the Pokémon Trainer.
Five Squirtle appeared in Detective Pikachu.
Game data
Pokédex entries
| Generation I
|
|
|
Kanto
#007
|
| Red(ENG)
|
After birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell. Powerfully sprays foam from its mouth.
|
| Blue
|
| Yellow
|
Shoots water at prey while in the water. Withdraws into its shell when in danger.
|
| Stadium
|
It takes time for the shell to form and harden after hatching. It sprays foam powerfully from its mouth.
|
|
|
| Generation II
|
|
|
Johto
#232
|
| Gold
|
The shell is soft when it is born. It soon becomes so resilient, prodding fingers will bounce off it.
|
| Silver
|
The shell, which hardens soon after it is born, is resilient. If you poke it, it will bounce back out.
|
| Crystal
|
When it feels threatened, it draws its legs inside its shell and sprays water from its mouth.
|
| Stadium 2
|
The shell is soft when it is born. It soon becomes so resilient, prodding fingers will bounce off it.
|
|
|
| Generation III
|
|
Hoenn
#—
|
|
Kanto
#007
|
| Ruby
|
Squirtle's shell is not merely used for protection. The shell's rounded shape and the grooves on its surface help minimize resistance in water, enabling this Pokémon to swim at high speeds.
|
| Sapphire
|
| Emerald
|
Its shell is not just for protection. Its rounded shape and the grooves on its surface minimize resistance in water, enabling Squirtle to swim at high speeds.
|
| FireRed
|
When it retracts its long neck into its shell, it squirts out water with vigorous force.
|
| LeafGreen
|
After birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell. Powerfully sprays foam from its mouth.
|
|
|
| Generation IV
|
|
Sinnoh
#—
|
|
Johto
#237
|
| Diamond
|
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
|
| Pearl
|
| Platinum
|
| HeartGold
|
The shell is soft when it is born. It soon becomes so resilient, prodding fingers will bounce off it.
|
| SoulSilver
|
The shell, which hardens soon after it is born, is resilient. If you poke it, it will bounce back out.
|
|
|
| Generation V
|
|
|
Unova
#—
|
| Black
|
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
|
| White
|
| Black 2
|
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
|
| White 2
|
|
|
| Generation VI
|
|
Kalos
Central #086
|
|
Hoenn
#—
|
| X
|
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
|
| Y
|
Shoots water at prey while in the water. Withdraws into its shell when in danger.
|
| Omega Ruby
|
Squirtle's shell is not merely used for protection. The shell's rounded shape and the grooves on its surface help minimize resistance in water, enabling this Pokémon to swim at high speeds.
|
| Alpha Sapphire
|
|
|
|
|
| Generation VIII
|
|
Galar
Isle of Armor #071
|
|
Sinnoh
#—
|
| Sword
|
When it retracts its long neck into its shell, it squirts out water with vigorous force.
|
| Shield
|
When it feels threatened, it draws its limbs inside its shell and sprays water from its mouth.
|
| Brilliant Diamond
|
It hides in its shell to protect itself, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
|
| Shining Pearl
|
|
|
Game locations
In side games
|
|
| Generation II
|
|
| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In events
| Games
|
Event
|
Language/Region
|
Location
|
Level
|
Distribution period
|
| GSC
|
Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Zap Cannon Squirtle
|
English
|
United States
|
5
|
December 28, 2001 to January 31, 2002;
January 17 to 23, 2003
|
| RSEFRLG
|
Gather More Pokémon! Fourth Campaign Squirtle
|
Japanese
|
Japan
|
10
|
February 11 to 28, 2006
|
| B2W2
|
Sticker Promotional Kanto Starter Egg Squirtle
|
Japanese
|
Japan
|
1
|
September 1 to 30, 2012
|
| BWB2W2
|
Kanto Starter Egg Squirtle
|
Korean
|
South Korea
|
1
|
November 8 to 11, 2012
|
| B2W2
|
Kanto Starter Egg Squirtle
|
Korean
|
Wi-Fi
|
1
|
February 14 to March 31, 2013
|
| XYORAS
|
Pokémon Lab Squirtle
|
Japanese region
|
Online
|
5
|
July 8 to November 30, 2015
|
| ORAS
|
2016 World Championships Squirtle
|
All
|
United States
|
5
|
August 19 to 21, 2016
|
| SwSh
|
Gigantamax Factor Squirtle
|
All
|
Online
|
14
|
June 17 to 30, 2021
|
In-game events
| Games
|
Event
|
Gigantamax
|
Location
|
Level
|
Distribution period
|
| SwSh
|
Wild Area News
|
No
|
hide
|
17, 30, 40
|
February 27 to March 1, 2020
|
Pokémon Global Link promotions
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
|
Range
|
| At Lv. 50
|
At Lv. 100
|
44
|
|
104 - 151
|
198 - 292
|
48
|
|
47 - 110
|
90 - 214
|
65
|
|
63 - 128
|
121 - 251
|
50
|
|
49 - 112
|
94 - 218
|
64
|
|
62 - 127
|
119 - 249
|
43
|
|
43 - 104
|
81 - 203
|
Total: 314
|
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 50.
|
Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learnset
Squirtle is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.2.0+ and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
|
|
|
|
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Squirtle
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Squirtle
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
|
SwSh
|
|
|
|
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Squirtle
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Squirtle
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
|
BDSP
|
|
|
|
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Squirtle
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Squirtle
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
|
SwSh
|
|
|
|
- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Squirtle in Generation VIII
- 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 Squirtle in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Squirtle
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Squirtle
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
|
BDSP
|
|
|
|
- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Squirtle in Generation VIII
- 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 Squirtle in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Squirtle
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Squirtle
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
|
|
|
|
|
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Squirtle
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Squirtle
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
|
By transfer from another generation
|
|
|
|
- Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
- A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Squirtle
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Squirtle
- × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations
|
TCG-only moves
Side game data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pokémon Ranger
| Group:
|
|
Poké Assist:
|
|
Field move:
|
(Soak ×1)
|
| Loops: 3
|
Min. exp.: 22
|
Max. exp.: 32
|
Browser entry R-076
|
| Squirtle puffs its cheeks, then shoots water that can extinguish a small fire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pokémon Rumble Rush
|
Walking Speed: 1.97 seconds
|
Base HP: 46
|
|
| Base Attack: 68
|
Base Defense: 52
|
Base Speed: 60
|
|
|
|
|
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
|
| PokéPark Pad entry:
|
| He is shy, but cares about his friends. As he gains more friends, he becomes less shy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Pokémon Snap
|
| Photodex entry #099
|
| Squirtle doesn’t bask in the sun just to dry off its shell—it’s also absorbing nutrients to help it grow strong. It’s still weak for now, though, so it often needs friends like Lapras to rescue it.
|
|
|
Costumes in Pokémon GO
|
|
|
|
| Sunglasses
|
Yamask costume
|
Party hat (2020)
|
Pikachu visor
|
Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Niue released a one-dollar coin featuring Squirtle as part of a commemorative promotion for the Pokémon franchise, with Squirtle on one side and the nation's coat of arms on the other.
- As a species, Squirtle has been trained the most frequently out of all the Kanto starter Pokémon by major anime Trainers, with Ash, May, Gary, and Tierno each owning one.
Origin
Squirtle's design is based on both its final evolved form and baby turtles[1], though its anatomy and semi-aquatic lifestyle are much more similar to terrapins. Much like Wartortle, its tail is a reference to Japanese legends of the minogame (蓑亀), a turtle which lived for 10,000 years and grew a tail made of seaweed.
Name origin
Squirtle is a combination of squirt (to spray and small child) and turtle.
Zenigame is a combination of 銭 zeni (money) and 亀 kame (tortoise/turtle). It literally means 銭亀 baby pond turtle. According to Pokémon Black and White's television program PokéQuiz, "'Zeni' is an old-fashioned word for money. Squirtle's shells look like old coins, so that's how they got their name!"
In other languages
|
This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: needs Icelandic meaning
|
| Language
|
Title
|
Meaning
|
 Japanese
|
ゼニガメ Zenigame
|
From 銭亀 zenigame
|
 French
|
Carapuce
|
From carapace and puce
|
 Spanish
|
Squirtle
|
Same as English name
|
 German
|
Schiggy
|
From Schildkröte
|
 Italian
|
Squirtle
|
Same as English name
|
 Korean
|
꼬부기 Kkobugi
|
From 꼬마 kkoma and 거북이 geobugi
|
 Mandarin Chinese
|
傑尼龜 / 杰尼龟 Jiéníguī
|
Partial transliteration of its Japanese name, and 龜 / 龟 guī
|
 Cantonese Chinese
|
傑尼龜 Gihtnèihgwāi
車厘龜 Chēlèihgwāi *
|
Partial transliteration of its Japanese name, and 龜 gwāi
May be taken from 車厘子 chēlèihji, and from 龜 gwāi
|
|
|
|
| More languages
|
 Arabic
|
سكويرتل Squirtle
|
Transcription of English name
|
 Bulgarian
|
Скуиртъл Skuirtŭl
|
Transcription of English name
|
 Greek
|
Σκουίρτλ Skuírtl
|
From English name
|
 Hebrew
|
סקווירטל Squirtel
|
Transliteration of English name
|
 Hindi
|
स्क्वर्ट्ल Squirtle
|
Transcription of English name
|
 Icelandic
|
Smápisl *
|
|
 Indonesian
|
Skuitel *
|
Corruption of English name
|
 Lithuanian
|
Švirkšlys
|
From English name
|
 Russian
|
Сквирл Skvirl *
Сквиртл Skvirtl
|
Possibly from "squirrel"
Transcription of English name
|
 Thai
|
เซนิกาเมะ Senikame
|
Transcription of Japanese name
|
|
|
|
Related articles
Notes
External links
|
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.
|
Blastoisinite (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Squirtle images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
