Sandslash shares various physical traits with the pangolin. It also draws from hedgehogs, porcupines, and echidnas due to its coloration and having spikes instead of scales. Both Sandshrew and Sandslash are mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some species of the shrew are poisonous.
Sandslash is a combination of sand and slash, referring to its long claws.
Sandpan may be a combination of sand and pangolin.
No: 028
English Name: Sandslash
Japanese Name: Sandopan
Generation: 1
Type: Ground
Species: Mouse Pokémon
Abilities: Sand Veil, Sand Rush (hidden ability)
Evolution: Sandshrew > Sandslash
Sandslash is a bipedal, ground dwelling pholidote Pokémon. Although Sandslash is usually bipedal, it can run on all fours. Most of its underside is light yellow with a white underbelly. It has a narrow muzzle, almond-shaped blue eyes, and a thick tail. Its back is mostly covered in sharp, brown quills formed from its tough, dry hide. It has two large claws on its paws and feet. These claws are its primary weapons, and are used for slashing. They can also be used for burrowing. Its claws and spikes can both break off and are shed regularly, but grow back quickly. It can curl into a large ball to protect its white underbelly. In this position, it can roll to attack or escape and protect itself from heatstroke. Sandslash is also adept at climbing trees, and is prone to ambush its enemies from above. Sandslash can mostly be found in deserts.
In the Alola region, Sandslash has an icy blue hide and quills covered in ice. These quills stand taller than a regular Sandslash’s quills, and resemble icicles. This Pokémon uses its hide for camouflage in the snow, while leaving only its spines exposed. Its forepaws are larger than its counterpart, and its claws are longer, thinner, and hooked at the tips. Despite the weight of its ice-covered body, Alolan Sandslash is able to move swiftly by carving a path in the snow with its claws. This Pokémon tends to live in the deeper parts of snowy mountains, where climbing is forbidden. However, the sprays of snow it kicks up are popular shots for photographers.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
Pokemon Blue: Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
Pokemon Yellow: It is skilled at slashing enemies with its claws. If broken, they start to grow back in a day.
Pokemon Stadium: Curls into a ball of sharp spikes and rolls into enemies. It is also adept at slashing with its sharp claws.
Pokemon Gold: In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.
Pokemon Silver: If it digs at an incredible pace, it may snap off its spikes and claws. They grow back in a day.
Pokemon Crystal: Adept at climbing trees, it rolls into a spiny ball, then attacks its enemies from above.
Pokemon Stadium 2: In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.
Pokemon Ruby: Sandslash’s body is covered by tough spikes, which are hardened sections of its hide. Once a year, the old spikes fall out, to be replaced with new spikes that grow out from beneath the old ones.
Pokemon Sapphire: Sandslash can roll up its body as if it were a ball covered with large spikes. In battle, this Pokémon will try to make the foe flinch by jabbing it with its spines. It then leaps at the stunned foe to tear wildly with its sharp claws.
Pokemon Emerald: It curls up in a ball to protect itself from enemy attacks. It also curls up to prevent heatstroke during the daytime when temperatures rise sharply.
Pokemon FireRed: It is adept at attacking with the spines on its back and its sharp claws while quickly scurrying about.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
Pokemon Diamond: It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Pokemon Pearl: It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Pokemon Platinum: It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Pokemon HeartGold: In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.
Pokemon SoulSilver: If it digs at an incredible pace, it may snap off its spike and claws. They grow back in a day.
Pokemon Black: It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Pokemon White: It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Pokemon Black 2: The spikes on its body are made up of its hardened hide. It rolls up and attacks foes with its spikes.
pokemon White 2: The spikes on its body are made up of its hardened hide. It rolls up and attacks foes with its spikes.
Pokemon X: If it digs at an incredible pace, it may snap off its spikes and claws. They grow back in a day.
Pokemon Y: Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Sandslash’s body is covered by tough spikes, which are hardened sections of its hide. Once a year, the old spikes fall out, to be replaced with new spikes that grow out from beneath the old ones.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Sandslash can roll up its body as if it were a ball covered with large spikes. In battle, this Pokémon will try to make the foe flinch by jabbing it with its spines. It then leaps at the stunned foe to tear wildly with its sharp claws.
Pokemon SUN: Although they are sharp, its claws and spikes often break off. They grow back the next day, so it is not bothered by the temporary loss.
Pokemon MOON: It uses its claws to climb trees and then curls its body into a spiny ball, ready to drop onto any prey that appears.
