squirtle #7
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
squirtle
Generation I · #0007 — Tiny Turtle Pokémon
Squirtle, designated as Pokédex entry #007, is a Water-type Pokémon that stands as one of the three iconic starter Pokémon available to trainers in the Kanto region, alongside Bulbasaur and Charmander. Known as the Tiny Turtle Pokémon, Squirtle represents the beginning of countless trainers' journeys through the original Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow versions, as well as their remakes FireRed and LeafGreen. This small reptilian creature measures just 0.5 meters in height and weighs 9.0 kilograms, making it appropriately diminutive for a starter Pokémon. With a base stat total of 314, Squirtle possesses modest but balanced capabilities, with its defense stat of 65 and special defense of 64 standing notably higher than its offensive stats, reflecting its defensive nature. The species was introduced in Generation I and remains a cornerstone of Pokémon lore and competitive play decades later.
Base Stats
Height
0.5m
Weight
9.0kg
Category
Tiny Turtle Pokémon
Gender
Male 87.5% / Female 12.5%
Color
blue
Shape
upright
Habitat
waters-edge
Abilities
Strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
Squirtle Biology & Physical Characteristics
Squirtle is a small, bipedal reptilian Pokémon with a distinctive appearance centered around its protective shell. Its body displays a light blue coloration with a cream or tan-colored belly, while its eyes are characteristically large and feature a purplish or reddish hue with a distinctly reptilian gaze. The Pokémon's most defining feature is its hard, reddish-brown shell that adorns its back—a structure that is actually soft and pliable at birth before gradually hardening as the creature matures. According to Pokédex entries from the Gold and Silver versions, this shell becomes so resilient that prodding fingers will simply bounce off it, serving as both armor and shield. Each of Squirtle's hands and feet possesses three pointed digits, allowing it to grasp objects and maintain purchase while swimming or climbing. Its tail is notably elongated and curls into a spiral shape that somewhat resembles a crashing wave, adding to the overall aesthetic that emphasizes its aquatic nature.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Squirtle Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Squirtle displays a pronounced sexual dimorphism in terms of encounter rates, with approximately 87.5% of wild Squirtle encountered being male compared to only 12.5% female. This heavily skewed gender ratio makes female Squirtle notably more difficult to obtain in the wild, which can present challenges for trainers seeking to breed specific Squirtle with desirable natures or individual values. The species belongs to both the Monster and Water 1 egg groups, providing flexibility in breeding strategies by allowing it to be crossed with a diverse range of compatible Pokémon. Squirtle has a hatch counter of 20 cycles, translating to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps required for an egg to hatch into a Squirtle, which is considered a moderate hatching time compared to other Pokémon. When hatched from an egg, Squirtle begins its life with a base friendship value of 70, indicating that egg-hatched specimens naturally possess a stronger bond with their trainer compared to caught wild specimens. The combination of its gender ratio, egg groups, and breeding mechanics makes Squirtle a popular choice for breeding programs, particularly when trainers seek to develop competitive specimens with optimal stats and natures.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm00
sword shield
tm01
yellow
tm01
gold silver
tm01
crystal
tm01
red blue
tm01
platinum
tm01
emerald
tm01
diamond pearl
tm01
firered leafgreen
tm01
ruby sapphire
tm01
xd
tm01
colosseum
tm01
heartgold soulsilver
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
blue japan
tm01
red green japan
tm01
sword shield
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
crystal
+596 more TMs/HMs
squirtle's Evolution Chain
Squirtle Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Squirtle begins a straightforward linear evolution chain that transforms it into progressively more powerful Water-type Pokémon. At level 16, Squirtle evolves into Wartortle, its intermediate form, which gains increased stats across the board and begins developing the cannons that will become prominent in its final evolution. When Wartortle reaches level 36, it undergoes its final evolution into Blastoise, a formidable Water-type Pokémon that becomes significantly larger and more powerful, developing dual water cannons that emerge from its shell. This three-stage evolutionary line represents a gradual increase in base stats from Squirtle's total of 314 to Wartortle's 405 and finally to Blastoise's 530, allowing trainers to experience substantial growth as they progress through their journey. The evolution chain maintains the Water typing throughout, ensuring consistency in type matchups and move pools, while the design progression clearly reflects the increasing battle capability and maturation of the species. Blastoise can additionally access a Mega Evolution form in Generation VI and beyond, further enhancing its combat potential through Mega Blastoise, which represents the pinnacle of this evolutionary lineage.
Where to Find
pallet town
kanto
+5 more
vermilion city
kanto
lumiose city
kalos
seaward cave
alola
seafoam islands
kanto
+7 more
kanto route 24
kanto
kanto route 25
kanto
Squirtle Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Squirtle is an inherently cautious Pokémon that relies heavily on its shell for protection when threatened. As documented in multiple Pokédex entries, when the Pokémon feels endangered, it withdraws its legs completely inside its shell and sprays water forcefully from its mouth as a defensive mechanism, making it a formidable opponent despite its small stature. In aquatic environments, Squirtle exhibits remarkable swimming prowess despite its terrestrial origins, shooting water at prey while navigating through water with surprising agility. The species is most commonly encountered near bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and coastal regions, where it can hunt for food and remain close to its natural element. The hydrodynamic design of its shell plays a crucial role in its aquatic lifestyle—the rounded shape and grooves along its surface minimize water resistance, enabling Squirtle to achieve high swimming speeds that belie its otherwise modest stats. These creatures are generally sociable and form bonds with their trainers, displaying a base friendship value of 70, which suggests they are relatively receptive to companionship and care.
Pokedex Entries
Generation I
After birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell. Powerfully sprays foam from its mouth.
Shoots water at prey while in the water. Withdraws into its shell when in danger.
Generation II
The shell is soft when it is born. It soon becomes so resilient, prod ding fingers will bounce off it.
The shell, which hardens soon after it is born, is resilient. If you poke it, it will bounce back out.
When it feels threatened, it draws its legs inside its shell and sprays water from its mouth.
Generation III
SQUIRTLE’s shell is not merely used for protection. The shell’s rounded shape and the grooves on its surface help minimize resistance in water, enabling this POKéMON to swim at high speeds.
Its shell is not just for protection. Its rounded shape and the grooves on its surface minimize resistance in water, enabling SQUIRTLE to swim at high speeds.
When it retracts its long neck into its shell, it squirts out water with vigorous force.
After birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell. It powerfully sprays foam from its mouth.
Generation IV
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
The shell is soft when it is born. It soon becomes so resilient, prodding fingers will bounce off it.
The shell, which hardens soon after it is born, is resilient. If you poke it, it will bounce back out.
Generation V
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
It shelters itself in its shell then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
Generation VI
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
Shoots water at prey while in the water. Withdraws into its shell when in danger.
Squirtle’s shell is not merely used for protection. The shell’s rounded shape and the grooves on its surface help minimize resistance in water, enabling this Pokémon to swim at high speeds.
Squirtle’s shell is not merely used for protection. The shell’s rounded shape and the grooves on its surface help minimize resistance in water, enabling this Pokémon to swim at high speeds.
Generation VII
Shoots water at prey while in the water. Withdraws into its shell when in danger.
Generation VIII
When it retracts its long neck into its shell, it squirts out water with vigorous force.
When it feels threatened, it draws its limbs inside its shell and sprays water from its mouth.
Squirtle Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Squirtle is a clever portmanteau combining 'squirt' and 'turtle,' directly referencing its signature ability to spray water as a defensive and offensive mechanism. In its original Japanese designation, the Pokémon is called Zenigame, derived from 'zeni' (small coin) and 'kame' (turtle), suggesting its diminutive size and turtle-like appearance. The design itself draws inspiration from multiple turtle varieties, incorporating characteristics of both terrestrial and aquatic turtles into a single cohesive creature. Squirtle's spiral tail was deliberately designed to evoke imagery of ocean waves and water in motion, reinforcing its aquatic identity and elemental affiliation. The coloration scheme of light blue body with tan underside and a reddish-brown shell creates a naturalistic appearance that makes the creature feel grounded in animal biology while maintaining the fantastical element necessary for a Pokémon design. The overall aesthetic successfully captures the essence of a young turtle at an early stage of development, complete with the soft shell that will harden over time, mirroring actual turtle development and creating a logical progression for its evolutionary forms.
Learnable Moves
Squirtle can learn 74 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| bite | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| bubble | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| bubble beam | water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| confusion | psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| dive | water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| dynamic punch | fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fake out | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| false swipe | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| focus punch | fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| follow me | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| foresight | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| hail | ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| haze | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hydro pump | water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| mega kick | normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| mega punch | normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mirror coat | psychic | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| mist | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| mud sport | ground | Status | — | — | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| outrage | dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rage | normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rapid spin | normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| refresh | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seismic toss | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| skull bash | normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| submission | fighting | Physical | 80 | 80 | 20 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| surf | water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| tail whip | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| water gun | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| waterfall | water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| whirlpool | water | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| withdraw | water | Status | — | — | 40 |
| yawn | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
Squirtle Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon play, Squirtle occupies a niche primarily as a starter Pokémon for players new to the competitive scene, though its final evolved form Blastoise has seen considerably more success at higher competitive tiers. Squirtle's modest base stats—particularly its attack of 48 and speed of 43—make it unsuitable for competitive battling in its base form, where it would be severely outclassed by more specialized Pokémon. However, the species benefits from access to the Torrent ability, which boosts Water-type moves to 1.5 times their normal damage when Squirtle's health falls below one-third of its maximum, providing a late-game sweeping potential if properly managed. The hidden ability Rain Dish offers an alternative strategic avenue, granting Squirtle passive health regeneration of one-sixteenth of its maximum hit points during rain weather, allowing for greater survivability in rain-based team compositions. Its defensive stats of 65 defense and 64 special defense provide reasonable bulk for its tier, making it competent at weathering hits, though its lack of offensive presence and speed prevent it from becoming a competitive staple. Trainers interested in competitive play would be well-advised to evolve Squirtle to Blastoise, where substantially improved stats and access to powerful moves like Hydro Pump and Ice Beam create a far more formidable competitor.
Commonly Asked Questions About Squirtle
What type is Squirtle?
Squirtle is a water type Pokemon.
What does Squirtle evolve into?
Squirtle evolves into wartortle, then into blastoise.
What are Squirtle's weaknesses?
Squirtle is weak to grass and electric type moves.
Where can I find Squirtle?
Squirtle can be found in pallet town (kanto), vermilion city (kanto) and lumiose city (kalos) and 4 other locations.
Squirtle Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Squirtle holds an extraordinary position in Pokémon culture as one of the three original starter Pokémon, cementing its status as an iconic figure in the franchise's history and consciousness. The species gained particular prominence through the animated series, most notably through Ash Ketchum's Squirtle, initially captured as part of the wild Squirtle Squad before joining Ash's core team and eventually evolving into Blastoise for critical battles. Gary Oak's Squirtle also made memorable appearances throughout the anime, establishing itself as a respected rival Pokémon that strengthened Gary's team significantly. Beyond the anime, Squirtle appears prominently in trading card games, with numerous cards featuring the species from the earliest Pokémon TCG releases to modern expansion sets, making it a collector's favorite. The Pokémon has appeared in multiple Super Smash Bros. titles as both a playable character through Pokémon Trainer in Brawl and Ultimate, and as a trophy in earlier installments, introducing the species to fighting game audiences. Squirtle's appeal extends to merchandise, where it consistently ranks among the most popular Pokémon for plushies, figurines, and apparel, demonstrating its enduring cultural relevance and fan affection across multiple generations of players.
Where to Find Squirtle in Every Pokémon Game
Squirtle's availability varies significantly depending on the specific Pokémon game and generation being played. In the original Red, Blue, and Yellow versions, Squirtle is available as a starter Pokémon choice at the beginning of the game, making it immediately accessible to any player who selects it as their starter. The species remains available as a starter in the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes, allowing modern players to experience the classic Kanto region with Squirtle as a companion from the outset. In Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee, Squirtle appears as a wild encounter in certain areas and can also be obtained through various in-game methods, though its availability is more limited compared to its starter designation in the original games. Throughout various other generations and regions, Squirtle has appeared in wild encounters in water-based routes and areas, though availability fluctuates—for example, it appears in the Johto region in Gold, Silver, and Crystal versions, and as a water encounter in multiple subsequent games. The Pokémon has been featured in special events and promotions through Pokémon Home and Pokémon GO, allowing trainers to obtain Squirtle without possession of older game cartridges. Its base capture rate of 45 makes it moderately challenging to catch in the wild if encountered, requiring more advanced Poké Balls or status condition infliction for reliable captures.