From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

Dunsparce (Japanese: ノコッチ Nokocchi) is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Biology

Dunsparce is a serpentine, and somewhat insectoid, Pokémon with a primarily yellow body, blue underside, and blue-and-cream-striped back. Its head is round with a wide mouth extending under its jowls and curving up toward the middle of its face. Its chin is blue with two rounded prongs. Its eyes—round and rimmed with blue—are kept closed, revealing its cream-colored eyelids. On Dunsparce's upper back are two tiny white wings. Its body ends in a drill-like tail.

Dunsparce can float slightly with its wings, which some scientists believe were used to fly in the sky during ancient times. However, it avoids detection and flees when spotted by burrowing into the ground with its tail. It lives immobile in caves and beneath the earth, where it makes maze-like nests. They get along with Diglett and share tunnels with each other. Dunsparce can navigate through its nests without getting lost by the smell of the dirt.

In the anime

Major appearances

Dunsparce debuted in The Dunsparce Deception, where an entire town was full of children owning Dunsparce. Bucky was the only child without a Dunsparce and asked Ash and his friends for assistance. In the end, he was able to catch one.

In The Path That Leads to Goodbye!, Ash tried to catch a Dunsparce, but Iris's Axew bumped into Ash's Pikachu, which led to Dunsparce escaping.

In Under the Pledging Tree!, Ash wanted to catch another Dunsparce, but then, he realized he didn't bring any Poké Balls with him, thus letting Dunsparce get away again.

Minor appearances

A Dunsparce appeared in The Legend of Thunder!.

In Following a Maiden's Voyage!, a Dunsparce was trapped in an Ariados's web.

In Team Shocker!, a Coordinator's Dunsparce competed in the Performance Stage of the Solaceon Contest.

A Dunsparce appeared in a flashback in JN032.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP191 Dunsparce Ash's Pokédex Dunsparce, the Land Snake Pokémon. When discovered, the Dunsparce uses its tail to burrow into the earth and evade capture.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry BW131 Dunsparce Ash's Pokédex Dunsparce, the Land Snake Pokémon. Dunsparce uses its tail to dig its elaborate nest.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Crystal encountered a wild Dunsparce in A Flaaffy Kerfuffle. It and a Flaaffy became stranded on a boat owned by Bill. They were rescued by Crystal and captured so Professor Oak could research them.

A Dunsparce owned by Lostelle first appeared in A Vicious Cycle of Possibilities.

A Dunsparce appeared in The Final Battle V, during a flashback of Emerald's past.

A Dunsparce owned by Roseanne first appeared in Well Met, Weepinbell.



Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry Pokémon Adventures PS119 Whenever it's being scrutinized at or if it feels threatened, it will start drilling a hole with its tail, in an attempt to escape from underground. *

In the TCG

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity: Dunsparce is a supporting character throughout the game.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Side game data

Evolution

Sprites

Trivia

Origin

Dunsparce appears to be based on the snake-like Tsuchinoko cryptid of Japan; it appears to be a visual pun on bachi hebi (bee snake), as the creature is known in some regions, combining bee- and snake-like features. It may also have connections to Quetzalcoatl, Amphipteres, or flying snakes.

Given its larviform appearance, horn-like tail, and ring-circled eyes that resemble the eyespots of some species, Dunsparce may draw inspiration from sphinx moth caterpillars, which have a history of being mistaken for the Tsuchinoko. Its closed eyes may reference blind cave-dwelling animals or perhaps the Nozuchi, a creature thought to be synonymous with the Tsuchinoko that is sometimes depicted as a giant, eyeless caterpillar.

Name origin

Dunsparce may be a combination of dun (dark; gloomy, referring to its preferred habitat) or dunce and sparse (referring to its rarity).

Nokocchi may be an anagram of ツチノコ Tsuchinoko, a fabled snake-like creature.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ノコッチ Nokocchi Anagram of ツチノコ tsuchinoko French Insolourdo From insolite and lourdeau Spanish Dunsparce Same as English name German Dummisel From dumm and Meißel Italian Dunsparce Same as English name Korean 노고치 Nogochi Transliteration of its Japanese name Cantonese Chinese Mandarin Chinese 土龍弟弟 / 土龙弟弟 Tǔlóngdìdì From 土 tǔ , 龍 lóng , and 弟弟 dìdì More languages Hindi डंसपार्स Dunsparce Transcription of English name Russian Данспарс Danspars Transcription of English name Thai โนก็อจจิ Nokocchi Transcription of trademarked Japanese name





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