Spiny Beetle

Spiny Beetles, originally named Hoarders, are red beetle-like enemies that appear in several two-dimensional The Legend of Zelda titles, and they first appear in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Spiny Beetles are usually found in the overworld, hiding under an object attached to their back, usually a bush or a rock. Spiny Beetles reveal themselves whenever Link is nearby, and appear to be afraid of him because they run away whenever Link is nearby. If Link removes a Spiny Beetle's object, it stops running away and tries to bump into him. In some games, this deals damage to Link. A Spiny Beetle itself can be quickly defeated from a single strike of Link's sword. If a Spiny Beetle has a bush on its back, Link must slash it off first before he can attack the Spiny Beetle. Because Link's sword cannot cut through rocks, he must lift it off the back of a Spiny Beetle before he can attack the enemy itself.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Spiny Beetles are found in various areas of the Light World where they hide under either a bush or a rock. Link can lift either object off a Spiny Beetle. If he does this, the Spiny Beetle runs away, shaking and dropping Rupees along the way. After dropping several Rupees, the Spiny Beetle disappears. Some Spiny Beetles hide under heavier rocks that they cannot lift. These Spiny Beetles can only be revealed if Link manages to lift their rock. A Spiny Beetle lives under the rock blocking the path to Death Mountain.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
In The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Spiny Beetles hide underneath either a bush, like in their debut appearance, or a skull. Link cannot attack Spiny Beetles with a skull on their back unless he picks up the skull using the Power Bracelet.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Ages
In The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, Spiny Beetles retain their role and appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. In the former game, bush ones initially appear in North Horon, with rock ones appearing shortly thereafter in and Spool Swamp on the way to Poison Moth's Lair. In the latter game, bush ones first appear in Deku Forest, but rock ones do not appear until Rolling Ridge.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Spiny Beetles are found in the Eastern Hills, on Mount Crenel, at Veil Falls, and within various caves. Like in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Spiny Beetles have either a bush or a rock on their back. If Link has learned the Rock Breaker technique, he can slash through a Spiny Beetle's rock. Alternatively, Link can use either the Gust Jar or the Cane of Pacci to remove either a bush or a rock off a Spiny Beetle's back.