Sandshrew

Sandshrew in the games: a Kanto digger and an Alolan ice form

Sandshrew is the Mouse Pokémon, a pure Ground type whose Sand Veil ability raises its evasion in a sandstorm, with Sand Rush as its hidden ability, which raises its Speed in the same weather. The Kantonian Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash at level 22.

Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced an Alolan Sandshrew, a dual Ice and Steel regional form with different abilities, Snow Cloak and the hidden Slush Rush, both of which key off snow rather than sandstorms. Rather than leveling up, Alolan Sandshrew evolves into Alolan Sandslash when exposed to an Ice Stone.

Sandshrew on cards: Base Set, Brock's Sandshrew and the Alolan form

Sandshrew's first card is Base Set #62 from January 1999, a Common illustrated by Ken Sugimori, who has seven Sandshrew credits. Our catalog lists 24 Sandshrew printings across 23 sets spanning ten eras, from WOTC into the Mega Evolution era, and 23 of them are Commons; the exception is a McDonald's Collection 2019 promo of Alolan Sandshrew by Shin Nagasawa. Gym Heroes (2000) printed two Brock's Sandshrew cards, tying it to the Pewter City Gym Leader, and the Sun & Moon era added Alolan Sandshrew to Guardians Rising, Ultra Prism and Cosmic Eclipse.

Sandshrew in the anime: A.J.'s loyal partner and Ann's catch

Sandshrew's biggest early role came in The Path to the Pokémon League, where it belonged to A.J., a Trainer whose harsh training methods it stayed loyal to. In the Sun and Moon series, a group of Alolan Sandshrew on Mount Lanakila faced a Tyranitar in Not Caving Under Pressure!, and their giant leader evolved into Alolan Sandslash after touching an Ice Stone. In Pokémon Horizons, Ann revealed a Sandshrew of her own in The Lonely Hatenna, which later evolved into Sandslash.

Cards to know

• Sandshrew (Base Set #62)

  Sandshrew's first card, a 1999 Common illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

• Brock's Sandshrew (Gym Heroes #71)

  One of two Brock's Sandshrew cards from 2000, naming the Pewter City Gym Leader.

• Alolan Sandshrew (McDonald's Collection 2019 #4)

  A McDonald's promo of the Ice and Steel Alolan form, illustrated by Shin Nagasawa.

• Sandshrew (Mega Evolution #068)

  A 2025 Common from the Mega Evolution set, illustrated by Shinji Kanda.