Zangoose (Pokmon) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokmon encyclopedia

June 2024 · 9 minute read

Zangoose (Japanese: ザングース Zangoose) is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation III.

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

It is well known for its ongoing feud against Seviper.

Biology

Zangoose on all fours

Zangoose is a bipedal Pokémon resembling a cross between a mongoose and a cat. Despite being classified as a bipedal Pokémon, it usually walks on all fours. Its fur is mostly white with deep red, scar-like markings on the face, chest, and forepaws. Its fur stands up on end when it smells its arch-enemy Seviper nearby. It has two long, black claws on its forepaws, which curl underneath the forepaws when not in use, and pink paw pads on its hind feet. It has pink eyes, long ears, and a small red nose. When it opens its mouth, two sharp fangs can be seen on its upper jaw. There are small tufts of white fur on its shoulders, and it has a large, fluffy tail.

Zangoose is bitter enemies with Seviper, which it has battled for many generations. It is agile enough to easily dodge incoming threats, and it attacks foes with its sharp claws. Despite its hot-blooded and brave nature, it has been known to enjoy peaceful activities, such as listening to ocean waves. Zangoose has a strong immune system and is resistant to venom. It lives in grasslands and savannas.

Zangoose is the only known Pokémon that can have Toxic Boost as an Ability. In Generation III, Crush Claw was its signature move, but other Pokémon could still inherit it via breeding.

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation IIIHoenn
#123
Kanto
#—
RubyMemories of battling its arch-rival Seviper are etched into every cell of Zangoose's body. This Pokémon adroitly dodges attacks with incredible agility.
SapphireZangoose usually stays on all fours, but when angered, it gets up on its hind legs and extends its claws. This Pokémon shares a bitter rivalry with Seviper that dates back over generations.
EmeraldWhen it battles, it stands on its hind legs and attacks with its sharply clawed forelegs. Its fur bristles if it encounters any Seviper.
FireRedIf it comes across a Seviper, its fur bristles and it assumes its battle pose. Its sharp claws are its best weapon.
LeafGreen
Generation VIKalos
Coastal #005
Hoenn
#128
XIt has feuded with Seviper for many generations. Its sharp claws are its biggest weapons.
YIts fur would all stand on end if it smelled a Seviper nearby. Its sharp claws tear up its foes.
Omega RubyMemories of battling its archrival Seviper are etched into every cell of Zangoose's body. This Pokémon adroitly dodges attacks with incredible agility.
Alpha SapphireZangoose usually stays on all fours, but when angered, it gets up on its hind legs and extends its claws. This Pokémon shares a bitter rivalry with Seviper that dates back over generations.
Generation IXPaldea
#217
Kitakami
#—
Blueberry
#70
ScarletIt’s Seviper’s archrival. To threaten those it encounters, it fans out the claws on its front paws.
VioletIf it comes across a Seviper, its fur bristles and it assumes its battle pose. Its sharp claws are its best weapon.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Generation IX

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Cross-Generation

In events

Held items

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Power
4/5★★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zangoose
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zangoose
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zangoose
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Zangoose
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation IX
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Zangoose
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zangoose
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zangoose
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Rumble Rush
Rush335Body.pngWalking Speed: 1.42 secondsBase HP: 54
Base Attack: 78Base Defense: 51Base Speed: 60
New Pokémon Snap
NPS335.png
Photodex entry #084
Zangoose certainly has a brave side, using its sharp claws to fight back against foes. But it actually seems to enjoy peaceful activities, like listening to the sound of the ocean waves or nearby singing.

Evolution data

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Cross-Generation

In the anime

Main series

Major appearances

Zangoose debuted in ZigZag Zangoose, under the ownership of Nicholai. It battled Ash and his Treecko, but suddenly, Zangoose noticed Jessie's Seviper and started to battle it instead. Ash, his friends, and even Team Rocket did not know what was going on, but it was Zangoose and Seviper's natural rivalry that got the two fighting. They were suddenly knocked into a river and Seviper then used Poison Tail, knocking Zangoose unconscious. Brock nursed Zangoose back to health with herbal medicine and left it to rest. Later, Seviper reappeared and engaged it in battle again. After a long and fierce battle, Zangoose finally knocked out the Fang Snake Pokémon with a Crush Claw.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness, a Zangoose was a member of Team Razor Wind, along with Scyther and Sandslash. The trio of clawed Pokémon were first seen being blasted out of the Wigglytuff Guild. Team Razor Wind overheard that Team Poképals were assigned with the task of traveling to the Labyrinth Cave to get a Gabite Scale for an ailing Shinx, and decided to attempt beating Team Poképals. Unfortunately for Team Razor Wind, Gabite beat them up. The team reappeared in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness.

In Glory Blaze!, it was revealed that Paul found Chimchar while it was being attacked by multiple Zangoose. Due to the amazing power Chimchar used while fighting the Zangoose, Paul decided to catch it. Also in this episode, Chimchar faced off against a Black Belt's Zangoose and nearly lost to it during the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition.

In Tears For Fears!, multiple Zangoose confronted Team Rocket and fought Jessie's Seviper. Later, Chimchar found the courage to defeat them.

In Beating the Bustle and Hustle!, Crimson used a Zangoose in a battle against Ash and Officer Jenny. It was able to defeat Buizel but then fell to Pikachu's Iron Tail.

In Saving Braviary!, Weiss sent out a Zangoose after he and Schwarz caught N getting away with an injured Braviary. It was then used to battle Ash and his friends, and was eventually defeated in a battle by Ash's Pikachu with help from the same Braviary.

Minor appearances

In a flashback in Delcatty Got Your Tongue, a Coordinator's Zangoose was defeated by Dr. Abby's Skitty during the Grand Festival.

In A Double Dilemma, a Zangoose was living at North Petalburg.

A Trainer's Zangoose appeared in Destiny Deoxys.

A Zangoose appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.

A Coordinator's Zangoose appeared in Thinning the Hoard! and Channeling the Battle Zone!.

A Zangoose appeared in a flashback in Pace - The Final Frontier!.

A Zangoose appeared in a flashback in Chim - Charred!.

In The Semi-Final Frontier!, a Trainer's Zangoose went up against Tobias during the Lily of the Valley Conference finals. It battled his Darkrai off-screen, but as with the other five Pokémon owned by its Trainer, it was easily defeated by the Pitch-Black Pokémon.

In Ash and N: A Clash of Ideals!, Team Plasma Grunts used multiple Zangoose during Team Plasma's assault on the White Ruins.

A Trainer's Zangoose appeared in A Festival Reunion!.

A Zangoose appeared in Narrowing the Chaser Chase!, under the ownership of a Project Mew Challenger.

Pokédex entries

EpisodePokémonSourceEntry
AG048ZangooseAsh's PokédexZangoose, the Cat Ferret Pokémon. Zangoose usually walks around on all fours, but stands on its hind legs when angry. It's very quick and can easily dodge most enemy attacks.
EpisodePokémonSourceEntry
DP051ZangooseDawn's PokédexZangoose, the Cat Ferret Pokémon. Zangoose have battled against Seviper for many generations, and their sharp claws are their best weapons.

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

Zangoose (rear right) in the animated trailer

In the Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer, a Team Plasma Grunt's Zangoose surrounded Nate, Hugh, and Cheren aboard the Plasma Frigate.

In the manga

Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl

A Zangoose appeared in PDP15.

Pokémon Adventures

Zangoose debuted in On the Loose and Hyper With Zangoose and Seviper I, where it fought a wild Seviper.

Sidney owns a Zangoose, which he used to try and awaken the legendary giants. It first appeared in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon XIII.

The Battle Tower rented a Zangoose, which was stolen by Guile Hideout in The Final Battle VII.

A Trainer's Zangoose appeared in Getting the Drop on Gallade I.

A Zangoose appeared in a flashback as one of the Pokémon trained by the International Police in Innocent Scientist.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

Enta obtained a Zangoose before he entered the Battle Frontier. It first appeared in The Predestined Battle!.

In the TCG

Main article: Zangoose (TCG)

In the TFG

One Zangoose figure has been released.

Trivia

Origin

Zangoose is likely based on the mongoose, a cat-like carnivore that is well known for its ability to hunt and kill venomous snakes. It also bears a physical resemblance to the Turkish Angora and Persian cat breeds. The rivalry Zangoose shares with Seviper is based on the relationship mongooses have towards snakes.

Name origin

Zangoose may be a combination of 斬 zan (slash) and mongoose.

In other languages

External links

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