Snavian family

Snavians are a family of serpentine bird creatures that bury live underground and ambush surface dwelling prey. The Snavians, specifically Snagrets, are one of most diverse families after the Grub-dog family, having adapted to numerous climates and environments across planet PNF-404.

They are found in all three Pikmin games, often constituting boss fights. In Pikmin, Burrowing Snagrets appear in The Forest of Hope, and in Challenge Mode. In Pikmin 2, they appear in greater numbers and variety, particularly in the Snagret Hole. "Snavian" is a portmanteau of "snake" and "avian" (avian meaning bird). One also appears in Pikmin 3 in Twilight River, and in Mission Mode .

Burrowing Snarrow

A creature mentioned by Olimar in Pikmin and Pikmin 2, this creature has not been seen in-game yet. It was recorded by Olimar to look almost exactly like a Burrowing Snagret, however it can be told apart by wing and tail markings when the two are pulled from the ground. It is also said to lack the blue hue of the Burrowing Snagret. It is unknown if it is even part of the Snavian family. 

Burrowing Snagret

File:Burrowing snagret.png

Main article: Burrowing Snagret.

The Burrowing Snagret is an enemy in the Pikmin games that hides underground, waiting to burst out when Pikmin approach. They are able to quickly snap up Pikmin on the ground with their beaks. Although the Snagret's whole body is vulnerable, it sustains most damage when its head is attacked. When killed, they explode, yielding many pellets. In Pikmin 2, the Burrowing Snagrets' heads remain, and they are smaller and have lower health, making them less of a threat. In Pikmin 3, they act slightly different than in the first two games. If a Snagret misses when pecking Pikmin, its head will get stuck in the ground, allowing the player an optimal chance to swarm the beast. Additionally, instead of exploding, the Snagret's corpse stays intact after its demise.

Pileated Snagret

Main article: Pileated Snagret.

The Pileated Snagret is a larger, rarer, and more dangerous species of the Snavian family. It has a green, scaly body, and a bright orange head. It is called 'pileated' because it has a crest of feathers on its head, and its eyes are decorated by some eyebrow-like features. The Pileated Snagret behaves much like the Burrowing Snagret, but it is able to completely emerge from the ground and hop around on its one clawed foot. This means it can chase its prey, and makes its head harder to reach.