Sandshrew (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
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Sandshrew Mouse Pokémon サンド Sand #027 Sandshrew Alolan Sandshrew Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Types Ground Unknown Sandshrew Ice Steel Alolan Sandshrew Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Sand Veil Sandshrew Snow Cloak Alolan Sandshrew Cacophony Sand Rush Sandshrew Hidden Ability Slush Rush Alolan Sandshrew Hidden Ability Cacophony Alolan Sandshrew Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 255 (43.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Field Hatch time 20 cycles
Height 2'00" 0.6 m Sandshrew 2'04" 0.7 m Alolan Sandshrew 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 26.5 lbs. 12.0 kg Sandshrew 88.2 lbs. 40.0 kg Alolan Sandshrew 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 93 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 60 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 1 Sandshrew 0 HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed Alolan Sandshrew 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	Footprint Alolan Sandshrew
Pokédex color   Yellow Other forms may have other colors.	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

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 Ice/Steel-type regional form. It evolves into Alolan Sandslash when exposed to an Ice Stone.

Biology

Sandshrew blending in with its surroundings

Sandshrew is a bipedal mammalian Pokémon, but runs on all fours in the anime. Its brick-patterned yellow hide is dry, tough, blends in with desert sand, and protects its soft white underbelly and muzzle. Sandshrew has blue, almond-shaped eyes, a pointed snout, and triangular ears with white insides. Its tail is thick and conical. It has two long claws on each foot and three sharp claws on its forepaws, which are used to burrow.

Sandshrew spends much of its time hidden underground in deep burrows. It only emerges to lunge and drag in passing Bug-type Pokémon. Sandshrew can quickly curl into a tight ball to protect itself from great falls and opponents, but may also throw sand at attackers. While its body can efficiently absorb water to facilitate life in the desert, Sandshrew has been found in caves as well. 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.

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. This results in Sandshrew developing a body of ice that is as hard as steel. Thicker plates form a dome around its head and its ears resemble an igloo's entrances. In adapting to this cold climate, its body became larger and heavier with a shell of ice covering its hide. This steel-like covering grants it extra defense, but it is unable to curl into a ball like its desert counterpart. It can burrow itself in the snow to avoid being blown away by blizzards. Predators, such as Weavile, exploit of its soft underbelly. Alolan Sandshrew's claws allow it to move without slipping on icy surfaces, but it slides on its stomach when it needs to move quickly.^[1]

In the anime

In the main series

Sandshrew in the anime

Alolan Sandshrew in the anime

Major appearances

Sandshrew debuted in The Path to the Pokémon League, under the ownership of A.J. Despite A.J.'s seemingly harsh and barbaric training methods, like using a whip on it and training in a pool, it was very loyal to him.

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.

Minor appearances

A Sandshrew Egg in the anime

In Pokémon - I Choose You!, 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.

In Mewtwo Strikes Back, a Trainer's Sandshrew was defeated by Mewtwo while it was serving for Giovanni.

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 a Pokémon breeding competition.

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!.

Pokédex entries

In Pokémon Origins

Sandshrew in 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.

In File 3: Giovanni, a Sandshrew was at Silph Co.

In the manga

Sandshrew in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Alolan Sandshrew in Pokémon Adventures

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Professor Oak owns a Sandshrew in The Electric Tale of Pikachu. He uses it in Clefairy in Space to stop a wild Clefairy from causing mischief.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Sandshrew makes a cameo in Onix is On!, battling Red's Bulbasaur as a Pewter Gym Trainer's Pokémon.

Red caught a Sandshrew prior to Make Way for Magmar!, which he uses to fight Fire-types such as Magmar.

A Sandshrew appeared in Murkrow Row as one of the residents of Gold's house.

A Sandshrew appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Plugging Past Electrike I.

A Trainer's Sandshrew appeared in Deprogramming Porygon-Z.

An Alolan Sandshrew debuted in the Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc, where it was seen on Mount Lanakila.

In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga

A Sandshrew appeared in GDZ45, under the ownership of a contestant.

In the TCG

Main article: Sandshrew (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

Held items

Sandshrew

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%)
Black 2	White 2	Quick Claw (5%)
X	Y	Quick Claw (5%)
Omega Ruby	Alpha Sapphire	Grip Claw (5%)
Sword	Shield	Grip Claw (5%)

Alolan Sandshrew

Game		Held Item(s)
Sun	Moon	Grip Claw (5%)
Ultra Sun	Ultra Moon	Grip Claw (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Kantonian Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

Learnset

By leveling up

Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

By TM/HM

Sandshrew

Generation VIII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM15 TM15 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM19 TM19 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 25 TM21 TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM22 TM22 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM23 TM23 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM24 TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15 TM25 TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM31 TM31 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM32 TM32 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM34 TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM39 TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM40 TM40 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM43 TM43 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM48 TM48 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM49 TM49 Sand Tomb Ground Physical 03535 085}}85% 15 TM53 TM53 Mud Shot Ground Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM59 TM59 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM65 TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM76 TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM81 TM81 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM98 TM98 Stomping Tantrum Ground Physical 07575 100}}100% 10 TR00 TR00 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR01 TR01 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100}}100% 15 TR10 TR10 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TR12 TR12 Agility Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TR17 TR17 Amnesia Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR18 TR18 Leech Life Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TR20 TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR26 TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR27 TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR31 TR31 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100100 075}}75% 15 TR52 TR52 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000— 100}}100% 5 TR57 TR57 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TR60 TR60 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR67 TR67 Earth Power Ground Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR76 TR76 Stealth Rock Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR85 TR85 Work Up Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TR95 TR95 Throat Chop Dark Physical 08080 100}}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

Alolan Sandshrew

Generation VIII Other generations: VII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM04 TM04 Ice Punch Ice Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM15 TM15 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM19 TM19 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 25 TM21 TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM22 TM22 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM23 TM23 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM24 TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15 TM25 TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM27 TM27 Icy Wind Ice Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM31 TM31 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM34 TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM35 TM35 Hail Ice Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM39 TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM40 TM40 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM43 TM43 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM48 TM48 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM51 TM51 Icicle Spear Ice Physical 02525 100}}100% 30 TM59 TM59 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM64 TM64 Avalanche Ice Physical 06060 100}}100% 10 TM65 TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM76 TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM81 TM81 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TR00 TR00 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR01 TR01 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100}}100% 15 TR06 TR06 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5 TR10 TR10 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TR17 TR17 Amnesia Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR18 TR18 Leech Life Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TR20 TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR26 TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR27 TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR31 TR31 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100100 075}}75% 15 TR46 TR46 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 TR52 TR52 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000— 100}}100% 5 TR57 TR57 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TR60 TR60 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR74 TR74 Iron Head Steel Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR76 TR76 Stealth Rock Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR85 TR85 Work Up Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TR95 TR95 Throat Chop Dark Physical 08080 100}}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

By breeding

Sandshrew

Generation VIII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Counter Fighting Physical — 100% 20 Flail Normal Physical — 100% 15 Hone Claws Dark Status — —% 15 Metal Claw Steel Physical 50 95% 35 Mud-Slap Ground Special 20 100% 10 Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew 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 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

Alolan Sandshrew

Generation VIII Other generations: VII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Counter Fighting Physical — 100% 20 Crush Claw Normal Physical 75 95% 10 Curse Ghost Status — —% 10 Flail Normal Physical — 100% 15 Hone Claws Dark Status — —% 15 Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Sandshrew 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 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

By tutoring

Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

TCG-only moves

Sandshrew

Side game data

Sandshrew

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!
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: Shadows of Almia Group: Ground Poké Assist: Ground Field move: (Tunnel ×1) Browser entry R-194 It hurls lumps of sand to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Ground Poké Assist: (present) Ground Field move: (present) (Crush ×1) Poké Assist: (past) Ground Field move: (past) (Crush ×1) Browser entry R-180/N-010 It triggers tremors and opens fissures that make Pokémon Paused.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.97 seconds Base HP: 48 Base Attack: 69 Base Defense: 50 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei Ground Attack Power: ★★★★★
Pokémon Shuffle Ground Attack Power: 50 - 100 5 #680 Damage Streak Increases damage when it is triggered in a row. Swappable Skill(s): Three Force
Pokémon GO Base HP: 137 Base Attack: 126 Base Defense: 120 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: 50 Fast Attacks: Scratch, Mud Shot Charged Attacks: Dig, Rock Slide, Sand Tomb*, Rock Tomb†, Frustration‡, Return‡