Ekans (Pokémon)

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For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
022MS.png #022: Fearow
Pokémon
#024: Arbok 024MS.png
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Ekans (disambiguation).
Ekans
Snake Pokémon
アーボ
Arbo
#023
Ekans



Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Poison Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Abilities
Intimidate or Shed Skin Cacophony
Cacophony
Unnerve
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Unknown
50% male, 50% female
Catch rate
255 (43.9%)
Breeding
Egg Groups
Field and Dragon
Hatch time
21 cycles
Height
6'07" 2.0 m
Ekans
0'0" 0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
15.2 lbs. 6.9 kg
Ekans
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form4}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield
62
Gen. I-IV
Unknown
IV
58
V+
Leveling rate
Medium Fast
EV yield
Total: 1
Ekans
0
HP
1
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Shape
Body02.png
Footprint
F023.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Purple
Base friendship
70
External Links

Ekans (Japanese: アーボ Arbo) is a Poison-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Arbok starting at level 22.

Biology

Ekans is a purple, serpentine Pokémon. Its eyes, underbelly, the thick stripe around its neck, and rattle are yellow. Ekans has three pairs of black lines encircling its body, as well as another line that connects each slitted eye and curves toward its nose. Its large mouth has a round, pink tongue and no visible teeth. While painful, a newborn Ekans's bite is not venomous. This Pokémon grows longer with age.

Ekans lives in grassy savannas and plains, where it moves stealthily through grass. It preys on Eggs from Pidgey and Spearow nests, but can strike other prey from behind. By flicking its tongue out, it is able to detect danger and the scent of prey. Its jaw can detach to swallow large prey, but such a meal can make Ekans too heavy to move. It wraps itself around tree branches at night to rest. If not in a tree, it will coil itself up—a position in which it can defend itself from all directions. It was also shown in the second movie to possess some swimming abilities. Its former signature move is Glare.

In the anime

In the main series

Ekans in the anime

Major appearances

Jessie's Ekans

Jessie had an Ekans, which for most of the original series, was her only Pokémon. It was extremely loyal to her and eventually evolved into an Arbok just to make her happy.

Team Meanies

Ekans was part of Team Meanies in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!. Gengar commanded the Poisonous Snake Pokémon to eat all the Berries Team Go-Getters collected. At one point, Ekans was incorrectly referred to as Arbok by Gengar. While this was an intentional error that Ekans rebuked in the original version (due to the similarities in the Japanese names), this came across as a general mistake in the dub and was corrected in reairings of the episode.

Other

A poacher had captured a bunch of Ekans in A Poached Ego!. Jessie released her Arbok along with James's Weezing in order to protect these Ekans along with a group of captured Koffing.

Minor appearances

An Ekans appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.

Multiple Ekans also appeared in The Power of One.

An Ekans was one of the sick Pokémon in a Pokémon Center in Carrying On!.

Ekans made a cameo appearance in Different Strokes for Different Blokes.

An Ekans appeared in a fantasy in A Dancing Debut!.

An Ekans appeared in SM003, as a silhouette.

In Pokémon Origins

An Ekans appeared in File 3: Giovanni.

In the manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Jessie's Ekans

Jessie's Arbok first appeared as an Ekans in the seventh chapter of the manga, Pikachu's Excellent Adventure.

In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga

Main article: Ekans Brothers

A pair of Ekans known as the Ekans Brothers are part of the supporting cast in the manga Magical Pokémon Journey. Led by Arbok, they are originally antagonists, but later befriend the main characters when Arbok gets a crush on Wigglytuff.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Ekans first appeared under the ownership of Koga appearing on his arm in Go for the Golbat.

An Ekans appeared in a flashback in Growing Out of Gengar where it was driven away from its home after the Power Plant had been abandoned.

Harry of the Team Rocket Elite Trio also has one which first appeared in The Coming of Slowpoke (Eventually).

A Team Rocket Grunt in Johto owns an Ekans in Sneasel Sneak Attack.

An Ekans was also one of the Pokémon pitted against Gold when he offered to help out at the Day Care near Goldenrod City in Quilava Quandary.

When Emerald was young, an Ekans helped him with his disabilities, shown in The Final Battle IV.

In the TCG

Main article: Ekans (TCG)

In the TFG

One Ekans figure has been released.

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

Generation I
Red(ENG) Moves silently and stealthily. Eats the eggs of birds, such as Pidgey and Spearow, whole.
Blue
Yellow The older it gets, the longer it grows. At night, it wraps its long body around tree branches to rest.
Stadium Slithers silently through grass, searching for its favorite food—Pidgey and Spearow eggs.
Generation II
Gold It can freely detach its jaw to swallow large prey whole. It can become too heavy to move, however.
Silver It always hides in grass. When first born, it has no poison, so its bite is painful, but harmless.
Crystal It flutters the tip of its tongue to seek out the scent of prey, then swallows the prey whole.
Stadium 2 It can freely detach its jaw to swallow large prey whole. It can become too heavy to move, however.
Generation III
Ruby Ekans curls itself up in a spiral while it rests. Assuming this position allows it to quickly respond to a threat from any direction with a glare from its upraised head.
Sapphire
Emerald An Ekans curls itself up in a spiral while it rests. This position allows it to quickly respond to an enemy from any direction with a threat from its upraised head.
FireRed A very common sight in grassland, etc. It flicks its tongue in and out to sense danger in its surroundings.
LeafGreen Moving silently and stealthily, it eats the eggs of birds, such as Pidgey and Spearow, whole.
Generation IV
Diamond It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold It can freely detach its jaw to swallow large prey whole. It can become too heavy to move, however.
SoulSilver It always hides in grass. When first born, it has no poison, so its bite is painful, but harmless.
Generation V
Black It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind.
White
Black 2 It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind.
White 2
Generation VI
X The older it gets, the longer it grows. At night, it wraps its long body around tree branches to rest.
Y Moving silently and stealthily, it eats the eggs of birds, such as Pidgey and Spearow, whole.
Omega Ruby Ekans curls itself up in a spiral while it rests. Assuming this position allows it to quickly respond to a threat from any direction with a glare from its upraised head.
Alpha Sapphire


Game locations

Generation I
Red
Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23
Blue
Trade
Blue (Japan)
Trade
Yellow
Trade
Generation II
Gold
Goldenrod Game Corner
Silver
Routes 3, 4, 32, and 33
Crystal
Routes 3, 4, 32, 33, and 42MorningDay
Routes 26, 27, 32, 33, and 42, Azalea Town (Headbutt trees)
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
Trade, Event
Emerald
Trade, Event
FireRed
Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23
LeafGreen
Trade, Event
Colosseum
Trade
XD
Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Route 212 (FireRed)
Platinum
Route 212 (FireRed)
HeartGold
Goldenrod Game Corner
Safari ZoneMorningDay
SoulSilver
Routes 3, 4, 32, and 33
Safari ZoneMorningDay
Pal Park
Forest
Generation V
Black White
Poké Transfer
Black 2 White 2
Poké Transfer
Dream World
Dream Park
Generation VI
X Y
Route 14 (Horde Encounter)
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Trade
Generation VII
Sun Moon
Pokémon Bank


In side games

Generation I
Pinball
Pewter City, Mt. Moon, Vermilion City Seaside, Rock Mountain, Lavender Town, Saffron City, Indigo Plateau
Generation II
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III
Trozei!
Huge Storage 4, Endless Level 51, Pair Trozei, Mr. Who's Den
MD Red MD Blue
Western Cave (3F-5F)
Ranger
Olive Jungle
Generation IV
MD Time MD Darkness
Shimmer Desert (1F-9F)
MD Sky
Shimmer Desert (1F-9F)
Rumble
Rocky Cave (Normal Mode C)
Generation V
Rumble Blast
Cave: Rugged Flats
Conquest
Cragspur, Viperia, Valora, Dragnor
Rumble U
Chill Battle: The Forest of Memories
Generation VI
Battle Trozei
Pitch-Black Cavern: Stage 1
Rumble World
Black Realm: Obsidian Shrine (All Areas)


In events

Games Event Language Location Level Distribution period
FRLG Pokémon Trade and Battle Day Ekans English United States 14 September 25, 2004
RSEFRLG Gather More Pokémon! Third Campaign Ekans Japanese Japan 10 January 14 to 29, 2006

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Red* Blue* Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
35
95 - 142 180 - 274
60
58 - 123 112 - 240
44
44 - 105 83 - 205
40
40 - 101 76 - 196
54
53 - 116 101 - 227
55
54 - 117 103 - 229
Total:
288
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
  • This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 40.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
3/5 ★★★☆☆
Power
3/4 ★★★
Skill
3/3 ★★★
Stamina
2/3 ★★
Jump
2/3 ★★
Total
13/18 ★★


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy ½×
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy ½×
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy ½×
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy ½×
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VII
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Wrap Normal Physical 01515 09090% 20
011 Leer Normal Status 0000 100100% 30
044 Poison Sting Poison Physical 01515 100100% 35
099 Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25
1212 Glare Normal Status 0000 100100% 30
1717 Screech Normal Status 0000 08585% 40
2020 Acid Poison Special 04040 100100% 30
2525 Stockpile Normal Status 0000 —% 20
2525 Swallow Normal Status 0000 —% 10
2525 Spit Up Normal Special 0000 100100% 10
2828 Acid Spray Poison Special 04040 100100% 20
3333 Mud Bomb Ground Special 06565 08585% 10
3636 Gastro Acid Poison Status 0000 100100% 10
3838 Belch Poison Special 120120 09090% 10
4141 Haze Ice Status 0000 —% 30
4444 Coil Poison Status 0000 —% 20
4949 Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120120 08080% 5
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ekans
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ekans
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation VII
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM06Bag TM Poison VI Sprite.png TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
TM09Bag TM Poison VI Sprite.png TM09 Venoshock Poison Special 06565 100}}100% 10
TM10Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
TM11Bag TM Fire VI Sprite.png TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
TM17Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM18Bag TM Water VI Sprite.png TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 —}}—% 5
TM21Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
TM26Bag TM Ground VI Sprite.png TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10
TM27Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
TM32Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
TM34Bag TM Poison VI Sprite.png TM34 Sludge Wave Poison Special 09595 100}}100% 10
TM36Bag TM Poison VI Sprite.png TM36 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM39Bag TM Rock VI Sprite.png TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15
TM41Bag TM Dark VI Sprite.png TM41 Torment Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 15
TM42Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM44Bag TM Psychic VI Sprite.png TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM45Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 15
TM46Bag TM Dark VI Sprite.png TM46 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25
TM48Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
TM59Bag TM Dark VI Sprite.png TM59 Brutal Swing Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 20
TM66Bag TM Dark VI Sprite.png TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10
TM78Bag TM Ground VI Sprite.png TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20
TM80Bag TM Rock VI Sprite.png TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10
TM83Bag TM Bug VI Sprite.png TM83 Infestation Bug Special 02020 100}}100% 20
TM84Bag TM Poison VI Sprite.png TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20
TM87Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 085}}85% 15
TM88Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM90Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM97Bag TM Dark VI Sprite.png TM97 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15
XTM100Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 20
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ekans
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ekans
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VII
Other generations:
II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
SneaselHoundourHoundoomPassimian
Beat Up Dark Physical 100% 10
PsyduckGolduck
Disable Normal Status 100% 20
Nidoran♂RhyhornMareepGibleAxewDruddigon
Iron Tail* Steel Physical 100 75% 15
Seviper
Poison Fang Poison Physical 50 100% 15
SeviperSkrelpDragalge
Poison Tail Poison Physical 50 100% 25
RattataRattataRaticateRaticateMankeyPrimeape
TaurosUmbreonDunsparceTreeckoGrovyleSceptile
ZangooseAbsolBuizelFloatzelPurrloinLiepard
BlitzleZebstrikaZoruaZoroarkEmolgaBouffalant
YungoosGumshoos
Pursuit Dark Physical 40 100% 20
CharmanderCharmeleonCharizardRaticateRaticateRhyhorn
RhydonRhyperiorTaurosGyaradosFlareonSnubbull
GranbullUrsaringDonphanPoochyenaMightyenaBagon
ShelgonSalamenceShinxLuxioLuxrayMamoswine
SandileKrokorokKrookodileScraggyScraftyZorua
ZoroarkAxewFraxureHaxorusDruddigonBouffalant
DeinoZweilousHydreigonLittenTorracatIncineroar
YungoosGumshoosRockruffLycanrocLycanrocPassimian
Jangmo-oHakamo-oKommo-o
Scary Face Normal Status 100% 10
PikachuDratiniDragonairDragoniteSentretFurret
WooperQuagsirePhanpyDonphanTreeckoGrovyle
SceptileSnivyServineSerperiorPatratWatchog
MinccinoDeinoZweilousHydreigonKomala
Slam Normal Physical 80 75% 20
SneaselWeavilePurrloinLiepardHeatmor
Snatch Dark Status —% 10
Dunsparce
Spite Ghost Status 100% 10
RattataRattataRaticateRaticateDiglettDiglett
DugtrioDugtrioSentretFurretPoochyenaMightyena
MawileSpindaKecleonAbsolGlameowStunky
SkuntankPurrloinLiepardFurfrouMeowsticKomala
Sucker Punch Dark Physical 70 100% 5
PersianPersianLinooneDelphox
Switcheroo Dark Status 100% 10
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Ekans 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 Ekans in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ekans
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ekans
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VII
Other generations:
II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
  • A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Ekans can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Ekans cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ekans
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ekans
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
Pin023.png Pinani023.png
Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
Trozeiani023.png
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 12.4%
Friend Area: Wild Plains
Phrases
51%-100% HP The poison in my fangs is wicked!
26%-50% HP My HP's gone down to half.
1%-25% HP Help... I'm running out of poison...
Level up Yesss! I leveled up! I'll do my best!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 023.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 0.5%
IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger
Group:
Poison
Poké Assist: Poison PA.png
Poison
Field move: None
Loops: 5 Min. exp.: 28 Max. exp.: 42
Browser entry R-000
If it spots a Capture Disc, Ekans will slither straight toward it.
Pokémon Rumble
Attack ●●
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Blast
Attack ●●
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Pokémon Conquest
PCP023.png HP: Move: Poison Sting
Attack: ★★ Ability 1: Intimidate
Ability 2: Shed Skin
Ability 3: Frighten
Defense: ★★
Speed: ★★
Evolves into Arbok when its Attack is 59 or higher
Range: 3 Perfect Links: Dōsan and Yazaemon
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Poison
Attack Power: ★★★★

BT023.png

Pokémon GO
GO023.png Base HP: 70 Base Attack: 110 Base Defense: 102
Egg Distance: 2 km Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: Candy 50
Fast Attacks: Poison Sting, Acid
Charged Attacks: Wrap, Sludge Bomb, Gunk Shot*, Poison Fang*

Evolution

023Ekans.png
Unevolved
Ekans
 Poison 
Rare Candy
Level 22
024Arbok.png
First evolution
Arbok
 Poison 


Sprites

Generation I
Red Green Red Blue Yellow
Spr 1g 023.png Spr b g1 023.png Spr 1b 023.png Spr b g1 023.png Spr 1y 023.png Spr b g1 023.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation II
Gold Silver Crystal
Spr 2g 023.png Spr b 2g 023.png Spr 2s 023.png Spr b 2s 023.png Spr 2c 023.png Spr b 2c 023.png
Spr 2g 023 s.png Spr b 2g 023 s.png Spr 2s 023 s.png Spr b 2s 023 s.png Spr 2c 023 s.png Spr b 2c 023 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen
Spr 3r 023.png Spr b 3r 023.png Spr 3e 023.png Spr b 3e 023.png Spr 3f 023.png Spr b 3f 023.png
Spr 3r 023 s.png Spr b 3r 023 s.png Spr 3e 023 s.png Spr b 3e 023 s.png Spr 3f 023 s.png Spr b 3f 023 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver
Spr 4d 023.png Spr b 4d 023.png Spr 4p 023.png Spr b 4p 023.png Spr 4h 023.png Spr b 4h 023.png
Spr 4d 023 s.png Spr b 4d 023 s.png Spr 4p 023 s.png Spr b 4p 023 s.png Spr 4h 023 s.png Spr b 4h 023 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V
Black White Black 2 White 2
Spr 5b 023.png Spr b 5b 023.png Spr 5b2 023.png Spr b 5b2 023.png
Spr 5b 023 s.png Spr b 5b 023 s.png Spr 5b2 023 s.png Spr b 5b2 023 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VI
X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Spr 6x 023.png
Spr b 6x 023.png
Spr 6o 023.png
Spr b 6o 023.png
Spr 6x 023 s.png
Spr b 6x 023 s.png
Spr 6o 023 s.png
Spr b 6o 023 s.png
Front Back Front Back
023MS.png For other sprites and images, please see Ekans images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


Trivia

Ken Sugimori artwork of Ekans from Pokémon Red and Blue
  • In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Ekans was originally known as "Arbo". This is, of course, its romanized Japanese name.
  • In early official art of Ekans, all of the bands on its body were yellow instead of just the one on its "neck". This was changed in later art.
  • An Ekans was originally going to be featured in Pokémon Snap, shown in an early test shot of an environment that was never featured in the final product. This is also true of its evolution, Arbok.
  • Ekans is one of fourteen Pokémon that one can collect foreign Pokédex entries for in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

Origin

Ekans appears to be based on a boa and rattlesnake, and its facial markings resemble an Indian cobra's hood. However, its lack of teeth, ability to swallow large prey, preying on Pokémon eggs, and reaction to threats are more akin to an egg-eating snake. The yellow band around its neck may refer to the ring-necked snake. Ekans and Arbok may also be inspired by the legendary basilisk since they were originally the only Pokémon to learn Glare. The basilisk was said to be a poisonous, serpentine dragon that would kill people with its stare, which may explain Ekans's place in the Dragon Egg Group.

Name origin

Ekans is snake spelled backwards.

Arbo is an anagram of ボア boa.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
Japan Flag.png Japanese アーボ Arbo Anagram of ボア boa
France Flag.png French Abo Anagram of boa
Spain Flag.png Spanish Ekans Same as English name
Germany Flag.png German Rettan Natter spelled backwards
Italy Flag.png Italian Ekans Same as English name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 아보 Abo Anagram of 보아 boa
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 阿柏蛇 Ābóshé Transliteration of the Japanese name, with the character for "snake" added at the end
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese 阿柏蛇 Ábaaksèh Transliteration of the Japanese name, with the character for "snake" added at the end


Related articles

External links


022MS.png #022: Fearow
Pokémon
#024: Arbok 024MS.png


Project Pokédex logo.png This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.