Sandshrew is 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 an pangolin.
Alolan Sandshrew seems to also be based on an igloo.
Sandshrew is a combination of sand and shrew.
Sand is simply sand.
No: 027
English Name: Sandshrew
Japanese Name: Sando
Generation: 1
Type: Ground
Species: Mouse Pokémon
Abilities: Sand Veil, Sand Rush (hidden ability)
Evolution: Sandshrew > Sandslash
Sandshrew is a bipedal mammalian Pokémon, but runs on all fours in the anime. Its yellow hide is dry, tough, blends in with desert sand, and has a brick pattern, but its underbelly and muzzle are white. 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 hunt, which it does by waiting within its burrow to instantly lunge out and drag in passing prey. 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.
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 and with a cream-colored belly and muzzle. Its head now resembles an igloo. 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. The steel-like covering grants it extra defense, but it is unable to curl into a ball like its desert counterpart. 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.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Pokemon Blue: Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Pokemon Yellow: Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
Pokemon Stadium: When hunting, it hides at the lip of its burrow. If prey comes close, it lunges out and drags in the prey instantly.
Pokemon Gold: If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Pokemon Silver: Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Pokemon Crystal: It prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened.
Pokemon Stadium 2: If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Pokemon 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.
Pokemon 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.
Pokemon 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.
Pokemon FireRed: It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Pokemon Diamond: To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokemon Pearl: To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokemon Platinum: To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokemon HeartGold: If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Pokemon SoulSilver: Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Pokemon Black: To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokemon White: To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Pokemon Black 2: It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
pokemon White 2: It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
Pokemon X: It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
Pokemon Y: Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Pokemon Omega 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.
Pokemon Alpha 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 to sleep.
Pokemon SUN: It can roll its body into a ball. It moves through the desert by rolling at high speeds.
Pokemon MOON: It usually makes its home in deserts and arid zones, where rain does not fall. It digs holes to catch Bug-type Pokémon.
