Spiny Beetle

Spiny Beetle
A Spiny Beetle from A Link to the Past
First appearance	A Link to the Past (1992)
Appearances	A Link to the Past Link's Awakening Oracle of Ages Oracle of Seasons The Minish Cap
Location(s)	Beneath bushes and rocks
Weapon(s)	Running into Link
Effective weapon(s)	Sword
Spoils	Rupees

"They hide under common rocks and grass. Be careful, because they can pop out when you least expect it!"

— Figurine

Spiny Beetles, also known as Hoarders, are recurring enemies in the Legend of Zelda series. They appear in different forms and places, and tend to be hostile towards Link. Spiny Beetles frequently use items like rocks or bushes to hide under as they wait for prey to approach.

Appearances

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Spiny Beetles can be found various places in the Light World. They hide under bushes or rocks, running away if Link approaches. Link can simply slay them with his sword or another weapon, but he can also lift their cover off. If he does this, the beetle runs away, shaking and dropping Rupees as it goes, disappearing after dropping several. Some Spiny Beetles hide under the larger rocks. These rocks are too heavy for them to lift, and so they do not appear unless Link should pick the rock up. A Spiny Beetle lives under the rock blocking the way to Death Mountain.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Spiny Beetles hide underneath either bushes or skulls, waiting for Link to walk by. As soon as he does, they walk towards him. Spiny Beetles hiding under bushes can be defeated if Link slashes their bush covering off, leaving them vulnerable; Spiny Beetles hiding under skulls, however, are invulnerable. Link must lift the skull off of them with the aid of the Power Bracelet.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons

Spiny Beetles are identical to their Link's Awakening counterparts, as they too guise themselves as scenery, waiting for Link to get close enough to attack. They can defeated by a slash of the sword, or by Link lifting the object off their heads. When hiding under rocks, Spiny Beetles cannot be damaged by swords. Instead, Link will need the Power Bracelet to lift the rock and subsequently strike them with his sword. It is most advantageous to approach them from the north, as they will never move in that direction. They can easily be identified because they don't have any coloring underneath them.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Spiny Beetles act most similarly to the ones from the Oracle games, but they are able to move in any of the four cardinal directions, and their disguises can all be removed with the sword (rocks only once the Rock Breaker technique has been learned), the Gust Jar, or the Cane of Pacci. They appear in the Eastern Hills, on Mount Crenel, and at Veil Falls. They resemble spinies from the Mario series.