Swinub is a small, porcine Pokémon introduced in Generation II. It is a dual Ice/Ground-type, known for its ability to thrive in frigid temperatures. Covered in dense, brown, striped hair to keep warm, Swinub's shaggy coat often obscures its small, tuft-like legs, giving it the appearance of a legless lump. Its eyes appear perpetually closed, adding to its distinctive look.
This Pokémon is renowned for its exceptional sense of smell, which it uses to search for food by rubbing its pink, pig-like nose against the ground. Swinub can dig through mud, snow, and even frozen ground with ease, occasionally discovering hot springs during its foraging. Its favorite food is a type of mushroom that grows beneath dead grass, though it also enjoys eating berries.
Swinub's keen nose is not only useful for finding food but has also been relied upon by humans since ancient times. In the Hisui region (ancient Sinnoh), people often depended on Swinub's ability to sniff out mushrooms buried beneath grass or snow. When Swinub detects an enticing aroma, it will dash off headlong to locate the source.
Pokédex Data
- Height: 1'04" (0.4 m)
- Weight: 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg)
- Category: Pig Pokémon
- Abilities: Oblivious, Snow Cloak, Thick Fat (Hidden)
- Type: Ice/Ground
Breeding
- Gender Ratio: 50% male, 50% female
- Egg Groups: Field
- Hatch Time: 20 cycles (4,884–5,140 steps)
Pokédex Entries Across Versions
- Gold: It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs.
- Silver: If it smells something enticing, it dashes headlong off to find the source of the aroma.
- Crystal: It uses the tip of its nose to dig for food. Its nose is so tough that even frozen ground poses no problem.
- Sword: It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs.
- Legends: Arceus: Swinub excels at sniffing out mushrooms buried beneath grass or snow. Since ancient times, the people of Hisui have often relied upon this skill.
Evolutions
Swinub evolves into Piloswine at level 33, which can further evolve into Mamoswine when leveled up while knowing the move Ancient Power.
Habits and Additions Across Generations
Swinub's behavior and characteristics have remained largely consistent across generations, with its foraging habits and keen sense of smell being central to its portrayal. In later generations, more emphasis was placed on its usefulness to humans, particularly in the Legends: Arceus game, which highlighted its historical importance in the Hisui region. The addition of the Snow Cloak ability in Generation 3 further emphasized its adaptation to snowy environments.