Dunsparce

Dunsparce (ノコッチ, Nokocchi in original Japanese language versions) is one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar[1] Pokémon media franchise—a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards, and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri.

The name Dunsparce can carry several references. It can refer to "dun" (a yellow-like color), the color of its body, "dungeon", what Dunsparce typically finds shelter in, and "dunce", a derogatory term that may be a reference to its unspectacular battling abilities. The "sparce" part is a corruption of "sparse" (rare). Its American name was originally going to be "Duglari".

Characteristics
Dunsparce resembles in some respects a serpent—it is, in fact, based on the tsuchinoko of Japanese lore. Its Japanese name, Nokocchi is actually created by switching the first and second half of tsuchi/noko. It does not have arms or legs. It has a yellow hourglass shaped body, two tiny wings on its sides, a drill-shaped tail (resembling that of a rattlesnake's), and two spikes under its chin. Its underbelly is blue, as well as the markings on its back. It also bears a slight resemblance to the Eurypterid. Dunsparce lives in caves and deep underground in nests of complex design. Its rudimentary wings enable it to hover just above the ground, providing it with an alternate method of locomotion besides crawling.

Not much other information is known about Dunsparce, probably because it is both very rare and timid. If it realizes it has been spotted, it rapidly burrows backwards into the ground using its tail drill and disappears out of sight.

Appearances
Dunsparce is a rather rare Pokémon. In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, Dunsparce is found in the Dark Cave. In Pokémon Colosseum, a Dunsparce is a Shadow Pokémon that can be snagged in Pyrite Cave. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, it can be found in the port of Three Isle. In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, it is found in swarms, after defeating the Elite Four, on Route 208.

Dunsparce has a good Hit point stat and the rest of its stats are rather average. It is slow, however, and does not learn particularly noteworthy attacks. In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, Dunsparce was seldom used since it didn't have any remarkable traits to make it stand out in battle. However, in Ruby and Sapphire it received the trait "Serene Grace", which increased the secondary effects of its moves. Dunsparce could thus be used as an occasional annoyer.

Anime
Dunsparce was featured in the episode "The Dunsparce Deception", in which it is a very popular Pokémon for a class of schoolchildren, most of whom have managed to catch one. Ash and friends help the last boy, who had a Caterpie, find a Dunsparce of his own. It also briefly appeared in Following a Maiden Voyage!, as Pokémon caught in Ariados's web.

Manga
Dunsparce was featured in the episode "The Dunsparce Deception", in which it is a very popular Pokémon for a class of schoolchildren, most of whom have managed to catch one. Ash and friends help the last boy, who had a Caterpie, find a Dunsparce of his own. It also briefly appeared in Following a Maiden Voyage!, as Pokémon caught in Ariados's web.

Trading Card game
Dunsparce is a very minor figure in the card game, for it has only made four appearances as Basic Colorless Pokémon:
 * Neo Discovery
 * Skyridge
 * EX Sandstorm
 * EX Legend Maker