Ground

Pokedex Entry

Sarcophilus spiniferus, commonly known as Sandslash, is a medium-sized mammalian species adapted to arid and snowy environments. This creature exhibits remarkable thermoregulation abilities, curling into a spiny ball to conserve body heat during harsh conditions. Its body is covered in hardened, keratinous spines, which serve both as a defense mechanism against predators and a means of camouflage in its surroundings. Sandslash primarily feeds on fruits, roots, and small invertebrates, utilizing its sharp claws for digging and climbing trees to forage for food. The species has developed a unique adaptation where its spines can regenerate quickly, allowing it to recover from damage sustained during foraging or encounters with predators. In snowy regions, Sandslash is known to plow through deep snow, using its broad claws to create pathways, while in drier habitats, it relies on its speed and agility to escape from threats and create dust storms as a form of distraction.

Alolan Sandslash

Scientific Name

Sarcophilus spiniferus glacialis

Types

Ice

Steel

Pokedex Entry

Sarcophilus spiniferus glacialis, known commonly as the Alolan sandslash, is a cold-climate derivative of its desert-dwelling ancestor. Following a long period of environmental displacement, likely caused by regional volcanic activity, this species has become highly specialized for survival in alpine and subalpine snowfields. Its most striking feature is the development of crystalline keratin spines layered with mineralized ice sheaths. These structures are hardened by naturally secreted antifreeze proteins, which prevent internal fracturing and increase their lethality. The spines serve both as passive defense and as active tools during high-speed movement across icy terrain. When threatened, the sandslash can accelerate across snowpacks, using its sharpened dorsal spikes to cut through underbrush or deter large predators. Adapted for mobility in snow rather than loose soil, it has evolved longer, hook-shaped foreclaws capable of both excavating snow tunnels and scaling icy inclines. It maintains internal warmth through a dense layer of subcutaneous fat and fur, with small pores along its body that emit cooled air, contributing to the formation and maintenance of its ice-covered spikes. The Alolan sandslash is a crepuscular omnivore, feeding on alpine tubers, arctic invertebrates, and the occasional burrowing rodent. Its ecological role includes snow aeration, pest control, and soil disturbance in permafrost-edge environments. The shimmering of its icy armor at dawn has led to its frequent appearance in local folklore across mountainous cultures.