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 dual-type Ice/Steel regional form. It evolves into Alolan Sandslash when exposed to an Ice Stone. These Sandshrew can also be found in Blueberry Academy's Terarium.
Biology
Sandshrew blending in with its surroundings
Sandshrew is a bipedal pholidote Pokémon (though it runs on all fours in Pokémon the Series)[1]. Its brick-patterned yellow hide is dry and 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. It also lives deep underground in nests it has created from digging tunnels. Should hard rocks get in the way of digging, Sandshrew will use its sharp claws to remove them before continuing to dig. If it is too wet, its skin becomes wrinkly. It dries itself out by using the geothermal heat near a volcano. It is also known to bathe in sand, which helps remove dirt and moisture from its body.
Forms
Sandshrew has a regional form: Alolan Sandshrew.
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, with a cream-colored belly and muzzle. Thicker plates form a dome around its head, and its ears resemble an igloo's entrances. Adapting to this cold climate, its body became larger and heavier, with a shell of hard ice covering its hide. The shell is also made of very hard steel.
This steel-like covering grants it extra defense from predators like Sneasel, but it is unable to curl into a ball like its desert counterpart; smarter predators such as Weavile exploit its soft underbelly. Alolan Sandshrew can burrow itself in the snow to avoid being blown away by blizzards. Its claws allow it to move without slipping on icy surfaces, but it slides on its stomach when it needs to move quickly.[2] A traditional Alolan custom during festivals is a competition to see who can slide Alolan Sandshrew across the ice the farthest. They can also be found in the Polar Biome of Blueberry Academy's Terarium, where Alola's island life is simulated.
Evolution
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash.
Alolan Sandshrew evolves into Alolan Sandslash.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Game data
Pokédex entries
| Generation I
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Kanto
#027
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| Red(JPN)
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(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
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| Green
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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. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted)
Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
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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 prey.
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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
B2 W2 : #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 sand to sleep.
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| Generation VII
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Alola
S M : #251
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Alola
US UM : #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
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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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| Generation VIII
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Galar
Isle of Armor #168
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Sinnoh
#—
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Hisui
#—
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| This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
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| Sword
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It loves to bathe in the grit of dry, sandy areas. By sand bathing, this Pokémon rids itself of dirt and moisture clinging to its body.
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| Shield
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It burrows into the ground to create its nest. If hard stones impede its tunneling, it uses its sharp claws to scatter them and then carries on digging.
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| Brilliant 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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| Shining Pearl
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| Alolan Sandshrew
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| Sword
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Life on mountains covered with deep snow has granted this Pokémon a body of ice that's as hard as steel.
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| Shield
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It lives in snowy mountains on southern islands. When a blizzard rolls in, this Pokémon hunkers down in the snow to avoid getting blown away.
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| Generation IX
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Paldea
#—
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Kitakami
#116
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Blueberry
#155
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| Scarlet
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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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| Violet
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No matter how high a place it falls from, this Pokémon can save itself by rolling in a ball and bouncing.
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| Alolan Sandshrew
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| Scarlet
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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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| Violet
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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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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
Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.
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
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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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 or an alternate form 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 or an alternate form of Sandshrew
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Sandshrew
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew
- 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
- 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
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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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.97 seconds
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Base HP: 48
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| Base Attack: 69
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Base Defense: 50
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Base Speed: 60
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New Pokémon Snap
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| Photodex entry #125
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| The skin on Sandshrew’s back is very hard, and Sandshrew protects itself by curling into a ball. This also helps it move around faster—it can just roll across the desert!
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Alolan Sandshrew
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.97 seconds
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Base HP: 48
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| Base Attack: 69
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Base Defense: 51
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Base Speed: 60
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Evolution data
Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
Sprites
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
A Sandshrew appeared 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.
In Pikachu's PikaBoo, a Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon that played hide-and-seek. Sandshrew hid by camouflaging itself in front of a brick wall.
In Sandshrew's Locker!, Mira enlisted Ash and his friends to help retrieve her Sandshrew after it was lost at the bottom of an artificial lake created by a dammed river.
In Not Caving Under Pressure!, multiple Alolan Sandshrew 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.
In The Lonely Hatenna, Ann revealed to Liko that she had caught herself a Sandshrew. It has since made further appearances in Pokémon Horizons: The Series.
Minor appearances
Sandshrew debuted in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where Ash and Pikachu passed three Sandshrew while being chased by a flock of wild Spearow.
Near the beginning of Clefairy and the Moon Stone, an ailing Sandshrew was seen lying down. 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.
In Pokémon Fashion Flash, a Sandshrew was on Scissor Street.
In Sparks Fly for Magnemite, a Sandshrew was in Gringey City's Pokémon Center.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Sandshrew was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, a Sandshrew was living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In The Lost Lapras, a Trainer's Sandshrew was brought to the Pokémon Center.
In The Joy of Pokémon, a Trainer's Sandshrew was treated by the Nurse Joy of an unnamed island.
In The Power of One, a Sandshrew sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
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.
In Tanks a Lot!, multiple Sandshrew fled from Team Rocket's rampaging Arbotank.
In The Fortune Hunters, a Sandshrew was stolen by Butch and Cassidy.
In Beauty and the Breeder, a Pokémon Breeder's Sandshrew participated in the Pokémon Beauty Contest.
Multiple Sandshrew appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
In Got Miltank?, a Sandshrew was an inhabitant of a Pokémon-exclusive oasis.
In Throwing in the Noctowl, two Sandshrew were living at Wings Alexander's barn.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Legend of Thunder!.
In A Tyrogue Full of Trouble, a Sandshrew received an apple from a Tyrogue.
In Showdown at the Oak Corral, two Sandshrew were living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Sandshrew to the school's underage students for use in lessons.
A Sandshrew made a brief cameo in Destiny Deoxys.
In Hi Ho Silver Wind! and Deceit and Assist, a Coordinator's Sandshrew participated in the Hoenn Grand Festival.
In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, a Sandshrew appeared during the opening sequence, while another was living in the Tree of Beginning.
A Coordinator's Sandshrew appeared in The Saffron Con.
In Once More With Reeling!, a Coordinator's Sandshrew participated in the Terracotta Contest.
In Not on MY Watch Ya Don't!, a Sandshrew was hypnotized by Team Rocket.
In Drifloon On the Wind!, Marnie fed a Sandshrew.
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!.
In Battling a Cute Drama!, a Sandshrew was at the Shelter Town's Pokémon Center.
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!.
In Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, a Sandshrew was a resident of Allearth Forest.
In Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad, a Sandshrew was 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.
In Getting a Jump on the Competition!, two Alolan Sandshrew were on Mount Lanakila.
A Trainer's Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Battling Besties!.
A Trainer's Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Aim For The Eight!.
A Sandshrew appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
A Sandshrew appeared in The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.
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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Pokémon Origins
In File 1: Red, a Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon seen in Professor Oak's introduction.
A Sandshrew appeared in a flashback in File 2: Cubone.
A Sandshrew appeared in File 3: Giovanni. It was seen being experimented on as part of the Master Ball's development at Silph Co..
Pokémon Evolutions
In The Show, a Sandshrew briefly appeared under the ownership of a Trainer in Ecruteak City.
POKÉTOON
A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Blossom's Dream.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Minor appearances
Sandshrew debuted 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 used to fight a pair of 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.
Alolan Sandshrew debuted in Shock!! Father in the Pendant!, where one was seen on Mount Lanakila.
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
Professor Oak owns a Sandshrew, which appeared in Clefairy in Space. It was used to stop a wild Clefairy from causing mischief.
Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
A Sandshrew appeared in GDZ45, under the ownership of a contestant.
In the TCG
- Main article: Sandshrew (TCG)
Other Appearances
Sandshrew appears as a Spirit.
Trivia
- No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Alolan Sandshrew and its evolved form.
- Sandshrew and its evolved form both share their category name with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, Raichu, Pawmi, and Pawmo. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate were originally called the Rat Pokémon prior to Generation III.
- 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 Alolan forms in Sun and Moon. Both Pokémon are Ice-types, with Vulpix being exclusive to Sun and Sandshrew being exclusive to Moon. Furthermore, both Pokémon evolve when exposed to an Ice Stone.
Origin
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
Sandshrew may be based on the armadillo or pangolin, mammals with hard scales and sharp claws, can curl up into a ball, and live in desert regions. Both Sandshrew and Sandslash are mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some species of the shrew are venomous.
Alolan Sandshrew seems to also be based on an igloo and a curling stone.
Name origin
Sandshrew may be a combination of sand and shrew.
Sand is simply sand.
In other languages
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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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सैंडश्रू Sandshrew
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Transcription of English name
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 Lithuanian
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Smėlius
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From smėlis
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 Russian
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Сэндшрю Sendshryu
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Transcription of English name
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 Thai
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แซนด์ Saen
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
References
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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Berry (100%)
Quick Claw (5%)
Grip Claw (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Sandshrew images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
