Shaymin is a small, hedgehog-like creature. Its body is pure white. Its back is covered with green fur and has a pink flower with two leaves on each side of its head, which resembles the Gracideaflower, several Gracidea-like flowers also appear on its back whenever it feels comfortable, but when it senses an impending danger, it rapidly hides it back. Its legs are short and its underside is plump. Shaymin is the smallest legendary Pokémon to date. According to the Pokédex height of 0’08”, it is also among the smallest Pokémon in existence, with its comrades being Diglett, Natu, Azurill, Budew, Burmy, and Chingling.
As first revealed by Japan’s CoroCoro Magazine, Shaymin has two forms. The first (Land Forme) is the original form seen in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The second is the Sky Forme which debuted in Giratina and the Sky Warrior. Shaymin will change into Sky Forme and back if it touches a Gracidea. Shaymin can’t be in this form at night or if it has contact with ice. Shaymin’s Sky Forme has a canid-like appearance that also bears some resemblance to a small reindeer. It has a small, slender body. The fur on its back appears to have shifted into a mohawk; it has a red flower petal on the right side of its neck, looking like a scarf or cape, and flat, white ears that look like wings or antlers. It has a small ruff on the front of its neck and a stumpy tail.