Hippopotas (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #0448: Lucario	Pokémon	#0450: Hippowdon →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Hippopotas (disambiguation).

Hippopotas Hippo Pokémon ヒポポタス Hippopotas #0449 Male Female Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Ground Unknown Unknown Unknown Female Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Sand Stream Cacophony Female Cacophony Sand Force Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Female Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 140 (28%)
Breeding Egg Group Field Hatch time 30 cycles
Height 2'07" 0.8 m Male 0'0" 0 m Female 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 109.1 lbs. 49.5 kg Male 0 lbs. 0 kg Female 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 95 Gen. IV Unknown IV 66 V+	Leveling rate Slow
EV yield Total: 1 Male 0 HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed Female 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint Female
Pokédex color   Brown	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Hippopotas (Japanese: ヒポポタス Hippopotas) is a Ground-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.

It evolves into Hippowdon starting at level 34.

Biology

Hippopotas expelling sand from its nostrils

Hippopotas is a quadrupedal, hippopotamus-like Pokémon that is most commonly found in deserts and other arid places. Its skin color depends on gender: if male, it is tan with mottled dark brown patches, and if female, its coloring is reversed. It has a large snout with round, protruding nostrils, and several blunt teeth inside its mouth. Its eyes and small ears protrude from the top of its head. It has a small hole on its back. Each of its feet has two blunt claws, and it has a small tail.

Hippopotas spends its time bathing in sand and avoids water at all costs. It covers itself in sand as a protective measure against germs and expels sand instead of sweat. When it walks through the sand, it shuts its nostrils but keeps its mouth open, swallowing any sand and prey along the way. It removes excess sand in its body from its nostrils, which it also does when angered or excited. Hippopotas is more active during the day, and burrows into sand during the night to avoid the cold. It prefers to travel in groups of ten. Despite its large and heavy appearance, it may remain undetected, due to how well it hides in the sand.

Evolution

Hippopotas evolves into Hippowdon.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Unevolved Hippopotas  Ground

→

First Evolution Hippowdon  Ground

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: A male Hippopotas is a resident of Serene Village, and speaks with a French accent. After the player brings their partner back at the Epilogue, Hippopotas can be recruited.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Sinnoh #122 Johto #— Diamond It lives in arid places. Instead of perspiration, it expels grainy sand from its body. Pearl It enshrouds itself with sand to protect itself from germs. It does not enjoy getting wet. Platinum It shuts its nostrils tight then travels through sand as if walking. They form colonies of around ten. HeartGold It shrouds itself in sand to ward off germs. It travels easily through the sands of the desert. SoulSilver
Generation V Unova #— Black It shuts its nostrils tight then travels through sand as if walking. They form colonies of around ten. White Black 2 It shuts its nostrils tight then travels through sand as if walking. They form colonies of around 10. White 2
Generation VI Kalos Coastal #048 Hoenn #— X It lives in arid places. Instead of perspiration, it expels grainy sand from its body. Y It enshrouds itself with sand to protect itself from germs. It does not enjoy getting wet. Omega Ruby It lives in arid places. Instead of perspiration, it expels grainy sand from its body. Alpha Sapphire It enshrouds itself with sand to protect itself from germs. It does not enjoy getting wet.
Generation VII Alola #— Kanto #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar #314 Sinnoh #122 Hisui #107 Sword It moves through the sands with its mouth open, swallowing sand along with its prey. It gets rid of the sand by spouting it from its nose. Shield This Pokémon is active during the day and passes the cold desert nights burrowed snuggly into the sand. Brilliant Diamond It lives in arid places. Instead of perspiration, it expels grainy sand from its body. Shining Pearl It enshrouds itself with sand to protect itself from germs. It does not enjoy getting wet. Legends: Arceus Though large and languid, Hippopotas is difficult to detect due to its tendency to burrow into and lurk beneath the soil. When agitated or excited, it expels sand from its nostrils.
Generation IX Paldea #265 Kitakami #— Blueberry #— Scarlet It shuts its nostrils tight, then travels through sand as if walking. They form colonies of around 10. Violet It shrouds itself in sand to ward off germs. It travels easily through the sands of the desert.

Hippopotas in the Paldea Pokédex

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Maniac Tunnel Platinum Maniac Tunnel HeartGold SoulSilver Safari Zone (Desert with 28 Peak points)
Generation V Black White Route 4 (Swarm) Black 2 White 2 Breed Hippowdon Dream World Rugged Mountain
Generation VI X Y Route 9 Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Trade
Generation VII Sun Moon Trade Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Breed Hippowdon Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Unobtainable
Generation VIII Sword Shield Route 6, Dusty Bowl Dusty Bowl (Max Raid Battle) Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Maniac Tunnel Grand Underground - Rocky Cave, Big Bluff Cavern, Sandsear Cave (After obtaining Defog) Legends: Arceus Crimson Mirelands: Gapejaw Bog, near Sludge Mound, Scarlet Bog, massive mass outbreaks Coronet Highlands: Celestica Trail, massive mass outbreaks
Generation IX Scarlet Violet West Province: Asado Desert Tera Raid Battles (3★)

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV MD Time MD Darkness Quicksand Pit (B3F-B10F) MD Sky Quicksand Pit (B3F-B10F) Ranger: SoA Hippowdon Temple Rumble Bright Beach Ranger: GS Layuda Island, Fire Temple
Generation V Rumble Blast Desert: Sunny Seashore Rumble U Magical Lake: In Need of Trees
Generation VI Battle Trozei Safari Jungle: Stage 2Tu Rumble World Diamond Crater: Smelting Forge (All Areas), Fairy Land: Heat-Wave Desert (All Areas)
Generation VII Rumble Rush Zapdos Sea, Castform Sea, Garchomp Sea, Zygarde Sea, Arceus Sea, Garchomp SeaFinal, Zygarde SeaFinal
Generation VIII This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Cross-Generation Shuffle Wacky Workshop: Stage 161 (Male) Zaffiro Coast: Stage 611 (Male) Event: Pokémon Safari (Fifth release; Female)

Held items

Games		Held items
Legends: Arceus		Normal Sootfoot Root (35%) Ball of Mud (15%) Grit items by level Alpha Exp. Candy S (100%) Seed of Mastery (10%) Grit items by level

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 68		128 - 175	246 - 340
Attack: 72		69 - 136	134 - 267
Defense: 78		74 - 143	144 - 280
Sp. Atk: 38		38 - 99	72 - 192
Sp. Def: 42		42 - 103	80 - 201
Speed: 32		33 - 92	62 - 179
Total: 330	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/3 ★★☆	Power 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Skill 2/3 ★★☆	Stamina 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 12/19 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Electric-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Tackle Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35 011 Sand Attack Ground Status 0000— 100100% 15 044 Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25 088 Yawn Normal Status 0000— 00——% 10 1212 Sand Tomb Ground Physical 03535 08585% 15 1616 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100100% 10 2020 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100100% 15 2424 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00——% 10 2828 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 08585% 20 3232 Roar Normal Status 0000— 00——% 20 3636 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00——% 5 4040 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100100% 10 4444 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100100% 15 4848 Fissure Ground Physical 0000— 03030% 5 5252 Slack Off Normal Status 0000— 00——% 5

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

By TM

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM001 TM001 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 TM005 TM005 Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100}}100% 10 TM007 TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM008 TM008 Fire Fang Fire Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM009 TM009 Thunder Fang Electric Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM010 TM010 Ice Fang Ice Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM025 TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM028 TM028 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM035 TM035 Mud Shot Ground Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM036 TM036 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM047 TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM049 TM049 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM051 TM051 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM055 TM055 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM066 TM066 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100}}100% 15 TM070 TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM084 TM084 Stomping Tantrum Ground Physical 07575 100}}100% 10 TM085 TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM086 TM086 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM089 TM089 Body Press Fighting Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM103 TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM108 TM108 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM116 TM116 Stealth Rock Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM128 TM128 Amnesia Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM130 TM130 Helping Hand Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM133 TM133 Earth Power Ground Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM149 TM149 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM150 TM150 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 080}}80% 5 TM171 TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM172 TM172 Roar Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM176 TM176 Sand Tomb Ground Physical 03535 085}}85% 15 TM186 TM186 High Horsepower Ground Physical 09595 095}}95% 10 TM204 TM204 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100}}100% 15 TM209 TM209 Muddy Water Water Special 09090 085}}85% 10 TM215 TM215 Scorching Sands Ground Special 07070 100}}100% 10 TM224 TM224 Curse Ghost Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10

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

By breeding

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Curse Ghost Status — —% 10 Spit Up Normal Special — 100% 10 Stockpile Normal Status — —% 20 Swallow Normal Status — —% 10 Whirlwind Normal Status — —% 20

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

TCG-only moves

Move	Card
Endeavor	Hippopotas (Rising Rivals 64)

Side game data

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: E
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Talk to in Serene Village Connected to: Aron, Carracosta, Stunfisk Connection Orb Set: 8 (♂) Phrases Normal Jump, don't be a lump! Let's stay focused! Low HP (< 50%) Jumping for joy…is not as easy as I imagined…
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Item delivery to Accelgor Connected to: Nidorino, Hippowdon (♀), Accelgor Connection Orb Set: 3 (♀) Phrases Normal A dry environment is not good for your skin. But I like dry places! Low HP (< 50%) Even I may become dehydrated in a situation like this…
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group: Ground Poké Assist: Ground Field move: None Browser entry R-246 It causes tremors and spits hunks of sand to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Ground Poké Assist: (present) Ground Field move: (present) (Tackle ×3) Poké Assist: (past) Ground Field move: (past) (Tackle ×1) Browser entry R-283/N-103 It triggers tremors to attack.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.25 seconds Base HP: 53 Base Attack: 70 Base Defense: 51 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei Ground Attack Power: ★★★★★
Pokémon Shuffle Ground Attack Power: 50 - 115 10 #191 Quake Sometimes increases damage and leaves opponent paralyzed for a short period of time. Swappable Skill(s): Flash Mob			Pokémon Shuffle Ground Attack Power: 50 - 100 5 #191 T-Boost Increases damage when making a T-shaped match.
Pokémon GO Base HP: 169 Base Attack: 124 Base Defense: 118 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: 50 Fast Attacks: Tackle, Bite, Sand Attack* Charged Attacks: Dig, Rock Tomb, Body Slam, Frustration, Return

Evolution data

Unevolved Hippopotas  Ground

Level 34 →

First Evolution Hippowdon  Ground

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII Sword Shield Legends: Arceus
Cross-Generation HOME

For other sprites and images, please see Hippopotas images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

In animation

Hippopotas in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Major appearances

Hippopotas (recurring)

The recurring male Hippopotas

Hippopotas debuted in Mass Hip-Po-Sis!, where Ash, with the aid of his friends, rescued the Pokémon from being trapped upon a high ledge. Rhonda and her Sinnoh Now crew revealed that they were on assignment filming a herd of Hippo Pokémon. It was then discovered that Hippopotas was lost, having been separated from his herd. As a result, Ash and his friends helped Hippopotas find his way back. Like a few other Pokémon, Hippopotas seemed to like riding atop of Ash's head.

Team Rocket attempted to steal Hippopotas multiple times for Giovanni, but their plans were foiled each time. All the while, Jessie had trouble saying the Pokémon's species name. Hippopotas fell into a stream after one of Team Rocket's attempts to capture him. With the assistance of Nurse Joy, Ash and his friends fetched a sackful of dry sand to help Hippopotas recover. Later, the group were able to reunite Hippopotas with his herd.

Hippopotas reappeared in Sleight of Sand! with his father Hippowdon. In this episode, Butch and Cassidy also wanted to kidnap the Hippo Pokémon, but they failed.

Its known moves are Yawn, Sand Attack, Sand Tomb, and Sandstorm.

Other

Multiple Hippopotas appeared in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, where one of them was borrowed by Ash and his friends for its Ground-type attacks. It played a crucial role in restoring the broken Prison Bottle during the climactic battle in Dahara City. This Hippopotas was later returned to his herd, and Bonnie bid it farewell.

Minor appearances

A Hippopotas appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

In Another One Gabites the Dust!, a Coordinator's Hippopotas competed in the Battle Stage of the Chocovine Contest.

In Battling a Cute Drama!, a Hippopotas was at Shelter Town's Pokémon Center.

In a flashback in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, a Hippopotas was living at the Nebel Plateau.

In Mind-Boggling Dynamax!, a male and female Hippopotas were in the Wild Area.

In A Pinch of This, a Pinch of That!, a male Hippopotas was in the Wild Area.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP044 Hippopotas Dawn's Pokédex Hippopotas, the Hippo Pokémon. It lives in dry places and covers itself in sand to protect against germs. It does not enjoy getting wet.

In the manga

Male Hippopotas in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Ranger: The Comic – Shadows of Almia

A Hippopotas appeared in PRV1.

Movie adaptations

A Hippopotas appeared in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages.

Pokémon Adventures

A male Hippopotas appeared in Bombastic Bibarel & Heroic Hippopotas, under the ownership of a Gentleman at the Seven Stars Restaurant. He appeared along with a Socialite and her Bibarel. The quartet battled Diamond's Torterra, Tru, and Pearl's Infernape, Chimler, in a Tag Battle.

In the TCG

Main article: Hippopotas (TCG)

Trivia

• In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, both Hippopotas and Hippowdon have the same recruit rate, something rarely found with Pokémon of the same evolutionary line.
• Despite having notable gender differences, both Hippopotas and Hippowdon each have only one official Ken Sugimori artwork, Pokémon Global Link artwork, and menu icons (except for those of Pokémon Legends: Arceus), all of which depict the male variations.

Origin

Hippopotas seems to be based on a hippopotamus, although its behavior is the inverse of that of the real life species: hippopotamuses are more active during nighttime and often submerge themselves in water, while Hippopotas is more active during the day and hates getting wet. The pattern on Hippopotas's skin resembles desert military camouflage.

Because of the spout upon its back that spits sand, Hippopotas and its evolved form may be based upon the legendary Bahamut; in some accounts of the myths behind it, it is said to support a bed of sand and have the head of a hippo.

Name origin

Hippopotas is derived from hippopotamus.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ヒポポタス Hippopotas From hippopotamus French Hippopotas Same as English/Japanese name Spanish Hippopotas Same as English/Japanese name German Hippopotas Same as English/Japanese name Italian Hippopotas Same as English/Japanese name Korean 히포포타스 Hipopotaseu Transcription of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 沙河馬 / 沙河马 Shāhémǎ* 怪河馬 / 怪河马 Guàihémǎ* From 沙 shā and 河馬 / 河马 hémǎ From 怪 shòu and 河馬 / 河马 hémǎ Cantonese Chinese 沙河馬 Sāhòhmáh* 怪河馬 Gwaaihòhmáh* From 沙 sā and 河馬 hòhmáh From 怪 shòu and 河馬 hòhmáh

More languages Hindi हिप्पोपोटास Hippopotas Transcription of its English/Japanese name Russian Гиппопотас Gippopotas Transcription of English name Thai ฮิปโปโปตัส Hippopotat Transcription of Japanese name

External links

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Pokémon

#0450: Hippowdon →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.