The Origins of 3 Hedgehog Pokemon & the Real Animals Behind Them

Hedgehog Pokemon are a mixed bag. One curls into a spiky ball like the real animal, one is a small flower bush whose Land Forme is a hedgehog, and one digs in with only its quills showing. None of them is a plain hedgehog, because each one is mixed with something else.

See all 3 hedgehog Pokemon in one list.

Here's every hedgehog Pokemon:

All 3 Hedgehog Pokemon

#028

Sandslash

Sandslash is based on armoured animals that can curl up, such as the pangolin and the echidna. The echidna part shows in its habit of digging into the ground to reveal only its quills while it sleeps. It may also draw on the yamaoroshi, a radish grater yokai and mountain spirit sometimes interpreted as a porcupine-like creature, which could spray its rusty barbs to make victims ill.

Sandslash climbs trees by hooking on with its sharp claws, and it shares the berries it gathers by dropping them down to Sandshrew waiting below the tree, and we would like to be adopted. It is 1 m tall and weighs 29.5 kg.

The Alolan form, found in the Alola region, plays up the yamaoroshi's link to cold mountain wind and may also draw on the barbegazi, Alpine gnomes with large feet and icicle-covered hair, and its hooked claws seem to be inspired by ice axes.

#492

Shaymin

Shaymin, the Gratitude Pokemon, has a Land Forme that is based on a hedgehog. Its white body and the grass-like fur on its back also make it look a bit like a Chia Pet. When it blooms with flowers it looks like a bouquet, which people commonly give as a sign of thanks, and the flower on its body resembles a Gracidea and may be based on the bigleaf hydrangea.

When winter ends and the joyous people give thanks to the heavens, Shaymin appears and covers the withered land with flowers. Its ability to turn toxic gases into fresh air may be a reference to removing pollution from nature. (We cannot keep a houseplant alive, let alone clean the air.)

Shaymin is a mythical Pokemon (a rare Pokemon usually handed out at special events), and all six of its stats are 100. It is 0.2 m tall.

#777

Togedemaru

Togedemaru, the Roly-Poly Pokemon, is based on a hedgehog because of its round body and its ability to curl up into a spiky ball. It may also be based on a New World porcupine, since it can stiffen its triangular body spines, and it bears some resemblance to a chinchilla or a Ryukyu spiny rat. When its spines come out, marks may appear on its cheeks that resemble North American and Japanese electrical outlets.

When it is in trouble, it curls up into a ball, makes its fur spikes stand on end and then discharges electricity indiscriminately, which describes some meetings we have had. The spike on its back acts as a lightning rod, and its Lightning Rod ability pulls Electric moves toward it and raises its Special Attack one stage instead of taking damage. An ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle.

None of the 1025 Pokemon Is Filed as a Hedgehog

The Pokedex category has the word hedgehog in none of its 1025 entries. The three hedgehog Pokemon are filed as a mouse, a thank-you gift and a roly-poly toy. Shaymin's Land Forme is a hedgehog, and Togedemaru curls into a spiky ball like one.