The Sandshrew in Alola has always lived in desert areas, but due to the constant volcanic eruptions that used to happen nearby, they were forced to migrate to the snowy mountains. This led to its adoption of this form. Sandshrew's body had to adapt to the harsh winter climate. Its skin is covered by an ice shell as hard as steel, which allows it to defend itself extremely well.

The skin on its back, as mentioned, is as hard as steel, but the rest is soft, so it clings to the ground with all its might for protection. On the other hand, it lacks the flexibility of a Ground-type Sandshrew and cannot curl into a ball. It is very heavy, but can move across the ice without slipping thanks to its claws. When it needs to go faster, it slides across the ice on its stomach, like a curling stone. In fact, an ancient festival held annually in Alola involves sliding a Sandshrew across the ice to see who can throw it the furthest.

*There was an Alolan Sandshrew fleeing from a group of Sneasels. It had been ambushed earlier and obviously doesn't want to get eaten.

The Alolan Sandshrew then sees and jumps onto a frozen lake, curls upside down (ike a curling stone) and slides on the ice before practically losing control and continuing to slide off the frozen lake.

It continued sliding through the snow until it jumped off a ramp, crossing the air before landing on the ground.

The Alolan Sandshrew emerges from the snow after the impact.