Sneasel is a bipedal Pokémon that resembles both a cat and a weasel. It is primarily bluish-black with three bright red feathers for its tail and a single one on its left ear. The ear feather is shorter on the female than on the male. The other ear is short and pointed, and it has narrow red eyes. On its forehead and chest are oval, yellow gem-like protrusions. It has red eyes with black eyelash-like markings on the edges. It has long limbs with two large, white retractable claws on its hands and feet. It is perfectly capable of using its claws to do substantial damage. Its claws are also used for climbing trees in boreal or sub-alpine forests where it lives. It can also bring out its claws to startle foes that attacked it.
Sneasel is a smart, sneaky, and notoriously vicious Pokémon, and blends well into the night in order to ambush their prey. Sneasel feeds on Eggs, such as those of Pidgey, that it steals from unattended nests. It uses its claws to poke a hole in the Egg before slurping the contents out. It has been known to form pairs to hunt: one Sneasel will lure the parents away from their nest, while the other steals their Eggs. Although the Sneasel pair works together, they will also fight over their hunt among themselves. As a result of its Egg-based diet, Sneasel are despised by Breeders to the point where they try to drive away or eradicate the former. Sneasel also preys on AlolanSandshrew, but the Sandshrew's skin is so hard that it can cause Sneasel's claws to snap off. As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Sneasel has been observed sleeping peacefully on very rare occasions despite its savage personality. Additionally, it has been seen sleeping with its belly out and languidly washing its face.
In Hisui, Sneasel has a similar appearance to its Johtonian counterpart. It has a white body with purple colorations on its face, chest, shoulders, and forelimbs. The feathers on its tail and ear are light purple; like Johtonian Sneasel, the ear feather is shorter on the female than on the male. It has rounder eyes than its Johtonian form, although it shares the latter's gem-like protrusions, as well as the large claws on its hands and feet. The claws are tipped with poison, and are purple on its forelimbs and white on its feet.
Hisuian Sneasel's sturdy and curved claws allow it to climb and travel through the walls of precipitous cliffs where it lives. The venom from the tips of its claws is capable of invading the nervous system of any prey it scratches. It has been observed that Hisuian Sneasel lacks the spitefulness of its Johtonian counterpart, and it has been theorized that differences in their environments account for the differing personalities. As a result, Hisuian Sneasel evolves into Sneasler instead of Weavile.
Its paws conceal sharp claws. If attacked, it suddenly extends the claws and startles its enemy. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) Vicious in nature, it drives Pidgey from their nests and feasts on the eggs that are left behind. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Sneasel scales trees by punching its hooked claws into the bark. This Pokémon seeks out unguarded nests and steals eggs for food while the parents are away.
Sneasel scales trees by punching its hooked claws into the bark. This Pokémon seeks out unguarded nests and steals eggs for food while the parents are away.
This Pokémon shares roots with the Sneasel of Hisui, but unlike that species, this one is spiteful in personality. I hypothesize that water and earth can affect Sneasel's mind and body.
Its sturdy, curved claws are ideal for traversing precipitous cliffs. From the tips of these claws drips a venom that infiltrates the nerves of any prey caught in Sneasel's grasp.
Through known for its savage disposition, Sneasel can be seen sleeping peacefully on very rare occasions. It's been spotted with its belly out, languidly washing its face in its sleep.[sic]
Hisuian Sneasel evolves into Sneasler when leveled up while holding a Razor Claw during the day. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it evolves into Sneasler when exposed to a Razor Claw during the day.
Sneasel's most predominant role is as one of Silver's Pokémon. He first appeared in Who Gives a Hoothoot?. It is his first Pokémon as he was the Pokémon that he used during his training under the Masked Man, and the only one seen with him in flashbacks of his childhood prior to being kidnapped. He is a dexterous and crafty fighter that fully utilizes his speed and attacks of both the Dark type and the Ice type. After many years, he evolved into a Weavile in Lance's hidden Whirl Islands chamber.
In My, My, My Mimic, a Sneasel was captured by Carr, who wanted to ambush Red and Blue. However, it is frozen and beaten by the newly arrived Lorelei.
Sneasel has been depicted with three variants in color. In Pokémon Gold and Silver, Sneasel had a bronze coloration while its tail feathers were a dark cyan; while in Pokémon Stadium 2, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Sneasel had a light purple body. The third color variant is its current bluish black color which has been consistently depicted in the main series games from Pokémon Crystal onwards.
Johtonian Sneasel and its evolved form, Weavile, are the only blackIce-type Pokémon.
Origin
Sneasel's design appears to be based on a cross between a kamaitachi and a cat. More specifically, its feline aspect may have been inspired by cat-sìth, black cat fae often depicted in swashbucklingPuss in Boots fashion in Japanese media.
Hisuian Sneasel might be based on versions of the kamaitachi that are said to inflict diseases on those who encounter it instead of cuts, which could explain its Poison type. One of these version is called yama-misaki, spirits of people who had accidental deaths that can be found deep into the mountains and in some versions are associated with cliffs, reflecting Hisuian Sneasel's usual habitat.
Name origin
Sneasel may be a combination of sneaky and weasel. It may also derive from sneeze, an action associated with having a cold or being cold, or sneesl (Scots for to begin to rain or snow), both in reference to its Ice type.
Nyula may be a combination of 潜入 sennyū (sneaking), にゅー nyu (cat's purr), 鼬 yū (alternate reading of itachi, weasel), and 拉 ra (to carry off). It may also involve 野良 nora (stray or feral).
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.
Quick Claw (2%)
Grip Claw (50%)
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For other sprites and images, please see Sneasel images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
