Sandshrew

Sandshrew (Japanese: サンド Sand) is a -type Pokémon introduced in Generation I. Sandshrew often live in arid environments.

Appearance
Sandshrew has a white belly and a yellow back. Its back resembles cracked desert ground. It has a short tail, four short legs, and a small head. Sandshrew resembles an armadillo, and can curl into a very tight ball: about the size of a basketball.

Special Abilities
All Sandshrew have the ability Sand Veil; which raises evasion while there is a Sandstorm. Sandshrew, when in danger, can curl into a ball to defend itself.

In the Anime
Sandshrew made its first major appearance in the episode The Path to the Pokémon League under the ownership of a trainer named A.J. A.J. used brutal methods of training his Pokémon, such as the use of a whip, and was a very strict trainer.

Mira's Sandshrew was seen in Sandshrew's Locker. In that episode, the team encounters a girl named Mira with an Abra. she says she can teleport them to Hearthome city, but then "accidentally" teleports them to a large dam. She says she lost her grandmother's locket there and wants to get it back. So the team joins her in her search. Later, after escaping a Gyarados, Brock makes her confess that she lied about her grandmother's locket. It was actually a Poké Ball she wanted. The big lake was originally a small town where she lived. She and her friends happened to find a Poké Ball with Sandshrew in it. Then, construction workers said they were making a dam that would flood the town. So Mira and her friends moved. But they forgot Sandshrew was still at the school. And now Gyarados is guarding the school because its his territory. Later, Mira gets Sandshrew back, but she and her Abra get kidnapped by Jessie, James, and Meowth! After teleporting away when Team Rocket's guard was down, Mira finally opens the Poké Ball with Sandshrew. Sandshrew looks happy to see Mira. and then, Mira and Abra teleport the team to Hearthome city.

Also, there is a little known bonus episode about Pikachu, Bayleef, Togepi, and all the others in the early Johto group. they meet up with a Granbull, a Larvitar, a Donphan, and a Sandshrew. (article not complete, gotta go finish it later.)

Evolution
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash once it reaches level 22.

Origins
Sandshrew appears to be based on a mouse whilst its name comes from "Sand" and "Shrew" which is a reference to their habitat and appearance.

Trivia

 * Sandshrew is the first -type Pokémon in National Pokédex order.
 * Despite Sandshrew sharing the 300 base stat total and Mouse species with Pikachu, Sandshrew is not a counterpart to Pikachu. Instead, Sandshrew is a counterpart to Ekans.
 * Despite what its Stadium Pokédex entry implies, it cannot learn the move Bounce.

Sandshrew