Sandshrew

**Sandshrew** is a Ground-type Pokemon 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.

## Biology

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Sandshrew is a bipedal pholidote Pokémon, but runs on all fours. 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 from predators like Sneasel, 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.

## Game data

### Stats

#### Base stats

##### Sandshrew

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* Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature, if applicable.

##### Alolan Sandshrew

 * Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and a hindering nature, if applicable.

* Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature, if applicable.

### Learnset

Sandshrew is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.2.0+ and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

#### By leveling up

##### Sandshrew

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##### Alolan Sandshrew

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#### By TM/TR

##### Sandshrew

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##### Alolan Sandshrew

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#### By breeding

##### Sandshrew

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##### Alolan Sandshrew

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#### By tutoring

##### Sandshrew

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##### Alolan Sandshrew

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#### By transfer from another generation

##### Sandshrew

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##### Alolan Sandshrew

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### Side game data

#### Sandshrew

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#### Alolan Sandshrew

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### Sprites

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## Trivia

* No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Alolan Sandshrew and its Alolan evolved form.
* Sandshrew and its evolved form both share their category name with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, Raichu and Pawmi. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called the Rat Pokémon.
* Alolan Sandshrew is the first Steel-type Pokémon in National Pokédex order.
* Alolan Sandshrew has the lowest base Template:Stat 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 Template:Abilities that boost evasion in certain weather (Template:Weather for Sandshrew and Template:Weather 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 Template:Rfs 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

Sandshrew may be based on the armadillo, 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. Sandshrew also closely resembles a pangolin.

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*.

## Notes

1. ↑ Pokémon Sun and Moon site | Alolan Sandshrew

## External links

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