Sandshrew (Pokémon)

← #026: Raichu

Pokémon

#028: Sandslash →

Sandshrew サンド Sand #027
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type  Ground   Ground   Ground   Ground   Ground   Ground	Species Mouse Pokémon
Abilities Sand Veil Sand Rush Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #027 Johto #048 Hoenn #112 Sinnoh #— Unova #— Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R-194 Oblivia R-180 Oblivia (past) N-010 Not in any regional Browser
Height 2'00" Imperial 0.6m Metric 2'00"/0.6m 0.0m	Weight 26.5lbs Imperial 12.0kg Metric 26.5lbs/12.0kg 0.0kg
Dex color Yellow	Footprint
Body style	Catch rate 255 33.3%
Gender ratio Genderless Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Field group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 1 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 93 Battle Exp.: 931*
External links On Legendary Pokémon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V On Eevee's Pokédex On Psypoke Pokédex On Pokecharms Pokédex (Gen. III-IV) On Marriland Pokédex Generation IV Generation V Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Sandshrew (Japanese: サンド Sand) is a Ground-type Pokémon.

It evolves into Sandslash starting at level 22.

Contents 1 Biology 1.1 Physiology 1.2 Gender differences 1.3 Special abilities 1.4 Behavior 1.5 Habitat 1.6 Diet 2 In the anime 2.1 Major appearances 2.2 Minor appearances 2.3 Pokédex entries 3 In the manga 3.1 In the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga 3.2 In the Pokémon Adventures manga 4 In the TCG 5 Game data 5.1 Pokédex entries 5.2 Game locations 5.2.1 In side games 5.3 Held items 5.4 Stats 5.4.1 Base stats 5.4.2 Pokéathlon stats 5.5 Type effectiveness 5.6 Learnset 5.6.1 By leveling up 5.6.2 By TM/HM 5.6.3 By breeding 5.6.4 By tutoring 5.7 Side game data 5.8 Evolution 5.9 Sprites 6 Trivia 6.1 Origin 6.1.1 Name origin 7 In other languages 8 External links 9 Notes

Biology

Physiology

Sandshrew is a tailed bipedal, ground-dwelling pholidote notable for its defensive capabilities. Its body is mostly covered in a dry, tough hide, which is colored to blend in with the sands of the desert. It can curl into a tight ball about the same size as a basketball to protect its soft underbelly. Its primary weapons are the small but sharp claws on its paws, which are also useful for burrowing and can sometimes be poisonous.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Sandshrew's special abilities are extremely limited compared to other Pokémon. It has a greater control over the ground and sand than the average Pokémon, mostly derived from adaptation to its habitat.

Behavior

In the wild, Sandshrew are mostly defensive by nature. They spend much of their time hidden underground in their burrows and will kick up sand or instantly roll into a ball to escape predators. They may venture out to hunt, taking advantage of the desert sands to hide themselves.

However, with the help of a Trainer, a Sandshrew can become bolder and much more daring, and can even be trained to swim despite the fact that the water weakens them. They are still fond of curling up, though, even if not for defense. Although Sandshrew are usually bipedal, they are able to run on all fours.

Habitat

Disliking water, Sandshrew are adapted to dry, arid areas. Thus, they can be commonly found in deserts and grasslands, and sometimes in river valleys or the upper levels of caves as well. For the cave varieties, they also dry up if exposed to concentrated doses of light, particularly lights strung together in the cave. Wherever they are, they live underground in deep burrows. It can be found in Kanto, Johto and Hoenn, but it is hardy enough to survive in Orre and can occasionally be found in Sinnoh as well.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Sandshrew do not require a lot of water, due to a very efficient system of staying hydrated with minimal moisture. They hunt for prey in the wild.

In the anime

Major appearances

Sandshrew was first featured in The Path to the Pokémon League. It was owned by a Pokémon Trainer named A.J.. Despite A.J.'s seemly barbaric training methods (e.g. using a whip, training in a pool), it was very loyal to him.

Mira enlisted Ash and his friends to help her retrieve her Sandshrew that was lost at the bottom of an artificial lake created by a dammed river in Sandshrew's Locker!.

Minor appearances

Ash Ketchum and Pikachu pass three Sandshrew in Pokémon, I Choose You! while being chased by a flock of wild Spearow.

An ailing Sandshrew is seen briefly 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 Sandshrew was one of the Pokémon that played Hide-n-Seek in Pikachu's PikaBoo. Sandshrew hid in front of a brick wall.

A Sandshrew was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School!.

A Sandshrew appeared under the possession of a Coordinator in Hi Ho Silver Wind!.

It also appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part One.

A Sandshrew appeared in Camping It Up!.

A Sandshrew was also seen at the Shelter Town's Pokémon Center in Battling a Cute Drama!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP047 Sandshrew Dawn's Pokédex Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon. Sandshrew hates moisture and lives in holes it digs in dry places. It protects itself by curling into a ball. This concludes the entries from the Diamond & Pearl series.

In the manga

In the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Professor Oak owns a Sandshrew in the The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. 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!, part of the Red, Green & Blue chapter, battling against Red's Bulbasaur as a Pewter Gym Trainer's Pokémon.

Red also had a Sandshrew he uses to fight Fire-types such as Magmar.

Gold also has a Sandshrew residing in his house, but has never used it in battle.

In the TCG

Main article: Sandshrew (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I. Generation I Red Blue Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food. Yellow Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew. Stadium When hunting, it hides at the lip of its burrow. If prey comes close, it lunges out and drags in the prey instantly. Generation II Gold If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing. Silver Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball. Crystal It prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened. Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald {{{rsedex}}} Ruby Sapphire {{{rsdex}}} Ruby 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. Sapphire 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. Emerald 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. FireRed LeafGreen {{{frlgdex}}} FireRed It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection. LeafGreen Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food. Generation IV Diamond Pearl {{{dpdex}}} Diamond Pearl Platinum To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall. Diamond {{{diamonddex}}} Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold SoulSilver {{{hgssdex}}} HeartGold If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing. SoulSilver Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball. Generation V Black White To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall. Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}}  ??? No Pokédex data is available.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I. Generation I Red Blue Common Routes 4, 11, and 23 (Blue only) Blue (Japan) Common Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23 Yellow Uncommon Routes 3 and 4, Mt. Moon Generation II Gold Silver Uncommon G Prize S Routes 4, 32, Union Cave, Mt. Moon G Goldenrod Game Corner S Crystal Uncommon Routes 3, 4, Union Cave, Mt. Moon Generation III Ruby Sapphire Uncommon Routes 111, 113 Emerald Common Routes 111, 113, Mirage Tower FireRed LeafGreen Uncommon Routes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23 (LeafGreen only) Colosseum None Trade XD Common Rock Poké Spot Generation IV Diamond Pearl Dongle Wayward Cave (LeafGreen) Platinum Dongle Wayward Cave (LeafGreen) HeartGold SoulSilver Uncommon HGSS Prize SS Union Cave, Mt. Moon HG Safari Zone HGSS Goldenrod Game Corner SS Pal Park Mountain Generation V Black White None Breed Sandslash

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Valley
Pokémon Pinball	Mt. Moon Vermilion City Streets Rock Mountain Saffron City Indigo Plateau
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Hatch from egg
Pokémon Trozei!	Secret Storage 2 Huge Storage 3 Endless Level 9 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Magma Cavern (1F-6F) Buried Relic (36F-59F) Desert Region (1F-6F) Joyous Tower (68F-73F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Northern Desert (1F-15F) Shimmer Desert (1F-9F)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Chroma Ruins
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs	Daybreak Ruins Mitonga Road Forest Temple (Mission 2: Where Are You, Sunkern?)
Pokémon Rumble	Rocky Cave
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Desert: Rugged Flats

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Ruby	Sapphire	Quick Claw (5%)
Emerald
Pokémon XD		Quick Claw (100%)
Diamond	Pearl	Quick Claw (5%)
Platinum
HeartGold	SoulSilver	Quick Claw (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat	Range
	At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50	110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 75	72 - 139	139 - 273
Defense: 85	81 - 150	157 - 295
Sp.Atk: 20	22 - 79	40 - 152
Sp.Def: 30	31 - 90	58 - 174
Speed: 40	40 - 101	76 - 196
Total: 300   Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature. This Pokémon's  Special  base stat in Generation I was 30.

Pokéathlon stats

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

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Weak to Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None	Resistant against Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None	Unaffected by Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None	Damaged normally by Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV
Level	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Start	Scratch	Normal	Physical	40	100%	35
3	Defense Curl	Normal	Status	—	—%	40
7	Sand-Attack	Ground	Status	—	100%	15
9	Poison Sting	Poison	Physical	15	100%	35
13	Rapid Spin	Normal	Physical	20	100%	40
15	Swift	Normal	Special	60	—%	20
19	Fury Swipes	Normal	Physical	18	80%	15
21	Rollout	Rock	Physical	30	90%	20
25	Fury Cutter	Bug	Physical	20	95%	20
27	Sand Tomb	Ground	Physical	35	85%	15
31	Slash	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20
33	Gyro Ball	Steel	Physical	—	100%	5
37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	—	—%	10
A level of "Start" indicates a move that will be known by a Sandshrew obtained at level 1 in Generation V 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

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM01	Hone Claws	Dark	Status	—	—%	15
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	—	90%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	—	100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	—	—%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	TM20	Safeguard	Normal	Status	—	—%	25
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	—	100%	20
	TM26	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100	100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	—	100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	80	100%	10
	TM31	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	75	100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	—	—%	15
	TM37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	—	—%	10
	TM39	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	50	80%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	60	—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	—	100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	40	100%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	60	100%	15
	TM56	Fling	Dark	Physical	—	100%	10
	TM65	Shadow Claw	Ghost	Physical	70	100%	15
	TM74	Gyro Ball	Steel	Physical	—	100%	5
	TM75	Swords Dance	Normal	Status	—	—%	30
	TM78	Bulldoze	Ground	Physical	60	100%	20
	TM80	Rock Slide	Rock	Physical	75	90%	10
	TM81	X-Scissor	Bug	Physical	80	100%	15
	TM84	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	80	100%	20
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	—	90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	40	100%	15
	HM01	Cut	Normal	Physical	50	95%	30
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	80	100%	15
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

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Chip Away	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20
	Counter	Fighting	Physical	—	100%	20
	Crush Claw	Normal	Physical	75	95%	10
	Endure	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Flail	Normal	Physical	—	100%	15
	Metal Claw	Steel	Physical	50	95%	35
	Mud Shot	Ground	Special	55	95%	15
	Night Slash	Dark	Physical	70	100%	15
	Rapid Spin	Normal	Physical	20	100%	40
	Rock Climb	Normal	Physical	90	85%	20
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto 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

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV
Game		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
A black 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

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch	Pokémon Pinball RS     Acquisition: Hatch	Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 10.4% Friend Area: Furnace Desert Phrases 51%-100% HP Defense Curl makes me better protected! 26%-50% HP I have only half my HP left... 1%-25% HP I'm close to fainting... Can I just curl up somewhere? Level up Yeah! I leveled! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Yeah! I leveled!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Ground  Poké Assist: ( Ground ) Field move: (Tunnel ×1) Browser entry   It hurls lumps of sand to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Ground  ( Ground ) Past ( Normal ) (Crush ×1) Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It triggers tremors and opens fissures that make Pokémon Paused.
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.

Evolution

Unevolved Sandshrew  Ground

Level 22 →

First evolution Sandslash  Ground

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow	Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal			Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald	FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum	HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White				Back

For other sprites and images, please see Sandshrew images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Sandshrew is the first Ground-type Pokémon in National Pokédex order.
• Sandshrew and Sandslash share the same species name with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, and Raichu. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called Rat Pokémon. However, neither shrews, armadillos nor pangolins (all of which Sandshrew has been based on) are actually rodents.
• Although Sandshrew was introduced in Generation I as a pure Ground-type, it could not learn any Ground-type attacks via level-up until Generation II when Sand-Attack became a Ground-type move. Sandshrew first learned a damage-dealing Ground-type move by level-up in Generation III.

Origin

Sandshrew is based on the pangolin, 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.

Name origin

Sandshrew's name is a combination of sand and shrew, a small rodent-like mammal. Its Japanese name simply refers to sand.

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin German Sandan Corruption of Sand. French Sabelette From sable and belette. Korean 모래두지 Moraeduji Combination of morae and du-deo-ji. Chinese (Mandarin) 穿山鼠 Chuānshānshǔ A portmanteau of 穿山甲 chuānshānjiá and 鼠 shǔ. Literally "Mouse that passes through mountains". Chinese (Cantonese) 穿山鼠 Chyūnsāansyú Same as Mandarin name.

External links

Notes

← #026: Raichu

Pokémon

#028: Sandslash →

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