Daira

Dairas are humanoid alligators and enemies that first appear in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. They have mohawk-like crests on their heads and carry a hatchet. Their design is very similar to Zazak, another humanoid alligator enemy with an apparent mohawk.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
In Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Dairas appear in orange and red and start appearing midway through the game. Unlike most previous enemy attacks, Dairas' axes are not deflected by Link's shield, necessitating the Reflect magic. Orange ones attack in close range, while red ones are capable of throwing an endless supply of their axes from afar.

Link: The Faces of Evil
Dairas appear in yellow, and may either run at Link or crouch in place, with both throwing axes. Defeating the running variety typically gives Link a red Ruby (worth one), and the crouching type a green Ruby (worth five), though the running type will also occasionally give a green one. Link's shield is capable of blocking their axes in this game. There is also a type known as the Fire Daira that lives in volcanic areas and drops a Firestone after it is defeated. Dairas initially appear prominently in Crater Cove, apparently having come from the crater until one of the inhabitants boarded the vent. They later appear in many other locations, such as Tokyu Lighthouse and Goronu. The monster Glutko seems to enjoy eating them, comparing the taste of a Koridian he had just eaten favorably to one.

Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon
Dairas appear in both the running and crouching variants. They are once again quite common, and appear especially in Sakado, likely as a method of obtaining Rubies.

Zelda's Adventure
In Zelda's Adventure, Dairas are green and appear in the Swamp of Vendoss and the part of the Seacoast Plain near it. Like most other enemies, they wander around randomly.

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda
In Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda, Dairas make an appearance. When the player character is in range, the Daira will prepare its two-space long attack with its ax, which can be defended against by dodging or shielding. In addition to the standard yellow Daira, there is a Blue Daira variant.

Trivia

 * In the Japanese manuals, the Daira's artwork is dark green with purple clothes. This is still the case in the Game Boy Advance port.