Mistys ShellderGym Heroes #89 Pokémon Card

Shellder is a Bivalve Pokémon, famously known for its hard, purple shell and its soft, vulnerable interior. This Water-type Pokémon, introduced in Generation I, is native to the oceans surrounding the Kanto and Johto regions, often found clinging to rocks or other Pokémon. Its diet primarily consists of plankton and other small aquatic organisms, which it filters from the water. Shellder's behavior is largely defensive, retracting into its shell at the slightest sign of danger. It evolves into Cloyster when exposed to a Water Stone, transforming its modest shell into a formidable, spiky fortress. In the Pokémon games, Shellder often appears as an early-game Water-type, while its evolution, Cloyster, is a powerful special defender. In the anime, Shellder is frequently seen alongside various trainers, including Misty, and is noted for its stubbornness and surprising agility despite its shell. It also plays a crucial role in the lore of Slowbro, as a Shellder biting onto a Slowpoke's tail triggers its evolution.