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This article is about the enemy also known as Hoarder, not to be confused with Spiked Beetles, also known as Spinies.

Spiny Beetles,(LA | OoS | OoA | FS | TMC)[1] also known as Hoarders,(ALttP)[1] are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[note 1]

Characteristics[]

Spiny Beetles are usually found sheltering under stones or bushes. In early appearances, they are harmless creatures, though in later appearances they will actively attack Link. While Link can destroy them with his Sword, if he removes the object that they are hiding under, they will scurry around wildly, bumping into Link and either knocking him back or causing damage.

Mainline appearances[]

A Link to the Past[]

Spiny Beetles in A Link to the Past are harmless creatures that will move away from Link when he gets near, revealing their location. While Link can destroy them with his Sword, if he removes the bush or stone that they are hiding under by lifting it, they will scurry around wildly, dropping green Rupee and bumping into Link. If they come into contact with him, they will not cause damage, but will knock him back. If Link picks up a Rupee they drop, they will drop another. They will continue to dash around for a short while before disappearing, leaving behind a single Rupee. If Link obtains a certain number of Green Rupees, they will drop a Red Rupee.

Link's Awakening[]

Spiny Beetles in Link's Awakening hide beneath bushes and rocks, attacking Link when he approaches. They do not continually drop Rupees as in A Link to the Past, though they are likely to have Fairies hidden in the object they are underneath, and may drop them when defeated.

Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages[]

In Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Spiny Beetles behave and appear identically as in Link's Awakening.

Four Swords[]

The Spiny Beetles that hide under Grass appear as enemies in Four Swords. A Link can instantly defeat a Spiny Beetle by slashing it with his Sword once.

The Minish Cap[]

Spiny Beetle (Figurine from The Minish Cap)
TMC Spiny Beetle Figurine Sprite
Spiny Beetle
Appears in various areas.
They hide under common rocks and
grass. Be careful, because they can
pop out when you least expect it!

Spiny Beetles in The Minish Cap hide beneath Grass and Rocks, charging at Link when he approaches. They are found in the Minish Woods, in the Trilby Highlands, and on Mount Crenel, as well as within Caves across Hyrule. If they hide beneath a Rock, Link cannot use his Sword to harm them until he has learned the Rock Breaker technique.

Spinoff appearances[]

Ancient Stone Tablets[]



Trivia[]

  • Despite their name, they do not appear to have any spines or spikes on their bodies at all. The name may stem from the spike-like appearance of a bush on top of these creatures in Link's Awakening, or potentially from their spike-like feet.
  • The Nintendo Power Player's Guide for Link's Awakening confuses these enemies with Beetles and Spiked Beetles, stating that they can only be defeated by flipping them over with a Shield. This information is inaccurate, and may also be the cause for their seemingly inaccurate name, as Spiked Beetles are based on Spinies from the Super Mario series.

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseヘイジー (Heijī)[3]Heijī
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

Notes

  1. Spiny Beetles were referred to as Scrub Crabs in The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages — Official Strategy Guide by BradyGames.[2] However, as this contradicts the name given in Encyclopedia, it is not considered Canon.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 206 (ALttP | LA | OoS | OoA | FS | TMC)
  2. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages — Official Strategy Guide (Pocket Guide), BradyGames, pg. 102(OoS)
  3. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 126
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