Mamuta

Mamuta
File:NPC Mamuta.jpg
Appears in	Pikmin, Pikmin 2
Scientific name	Unknown
Family	Unknown
Areas	The Impact Site
Caves	Frontier Cavern, Cavern of Chaos, Hole of Heroes
Challenge Mode stages	The Distant Spring
2-Player Battle stages	None
Attacks	Pounds Pikmin into the ground

The Mamuta (ミウリン) is an ancient enemy found in both Pikmin games. It is fairly large, seemingly rocky or clothy, and has two small eyes with dark markings around each one. Its body is notably asymmetrical. It has markings on its arms, hinting it is part sentient. In the first game, it just stands and watches when Pikmin walk by. If any harm comes to it, however, it becomes enraged and pounds the Pikmin into the ground. This doesn't kill them, but replants them and turns them into flower Pikmin by some unknown process, which can be used to one's advantage, though it can get very annoying when it comes to plucking the Pikmin if one is in a hurry. However, with the Pluckaphone, a Mamuta can do more good than bad, as the planted Pikmin can simply be called out of the ground.

Captains, as opposed to Pikmin, do take damage, although only a small amount, and are similarly pounded into the ground. In the first Pikmin game, this causes the creature to stop attacking and appear to relax; it will only attack again if Pikmin are plucked or if it is attacked.

The Mamuta is found at The Impact Site on even-numbered days (on odd-numbered days, the Goolix is encountered instead). In Pikmin, the Smoky Progg is considered to be an unhatched larval form of Mamuta, although this claim is yet to be proved correct.

In Pikmin 2, Mamutas are only found underground, and are more aggressive, attacking any Pikmin that approach them. Their health is less than in the first Pikmin, yet their attacks have the same effect as previously. A Mamuta inside the Frontier Cavern holds the Brute Knuckles, making it one of the only non-boss enemies which carries a piece of the Explorer's Friend Series, which constitutes the Exploration Kit.

Notes

Olimar's Voyage Log

"This seems to be a gentle, flower-loving creature, but if angered, it is fierce. Its mighty open-handed smack... It reminds me of the time back home when a mosquito landed on my head, and my wife tried to get it..."

Reel notes

"This creature seems fond of flowers, but only for their decorative properties."

Olimar's Notes

"The imbalanced, asymmetrical arms of the mamuta are among its most notable features. Feeding on seeds and fruit, the mamuta is known to actually sow and grow plant species. While other species have exhibited seed-burying behavior for the purpose of storage, the mamuta is the only species so far known to actually cultivate fields of plants."

Louie's Notes

"Inedible. Tastes like chicken."

Nintendo Player's Guide

"A mamuta cannot defeat a Pikmin, but it can pound the trooper into the ground with its heavy arms. In fact, one rock beast can bury several Pikmin with a single blow. After you defeat the Mamuta with flying attacks, be sure to pluck your buddies from the soil-their tops will be in full bloom."

Killing Strategy

Pikmin

There is no threat, only the problem of having to pick planted Pikmin, which can take a while without the Pikmin 2 exclusive Pluckaphone, although it can be troublesome if the Mamuta hits the captain, incapacitating him for a second or more. Throwing Pikmin onto it from a distance is often more effective than swarming, unless Olimar is accompanied by a large group of Pikmin. Attacking from behind is also advantageous. Don't use bomb rocks on it; they do very little damage.

Captains

Although very difficult, Olimar can defeat the Mamuta by attacking it from behind. However, it is recommended that Olimar uses Pikmin, as attacking the Mamuta alone is very time-consuming.

Pikmin 2

The same strategy for the first game applies here, except now there is less rush since they are now cave-exclusive enemies. Purple Pikmin work well for defeating the Mamuta.

Gallery

• 

  A Mamuta surrounded by Pikmin sprouts.

• 

  A Mamuta standing undisturbed.

• 

  A Mamuta in the Creature Montage.

Trivia

• The Mamuta Piklopedia entry states that it cultivates plants to eat them, which may be why it smashes Pikmin into the ground, giving them flowers in the process.

• According to the Creature Montage, the Smoky Progg is believed to be the larval form of the Mamuta, which is ironic since the Smoky Progg is hostile while the Mamutas are generally peaceful.
• Using an Action Replay to access a model test menu in Pikmin, the Mamuta's code name is "miurin".
• The Mamuta is an optional boss in Pikmin, appearing on day 8 and every even day afterwards.
• Interestingly, the patterns on the Mamuta's wrists are the same as the patterns on the Onions.
• The Mamuta first appears on Day 8 and it takes 8 Pikmin to carry it. 
• In the beta Pikmin 2, Mamuta was meant to have a recipe but it was later changed to inedible.
• In Pikmin, the Mamuta appears to be resistant to bomb rocks, taking very slim damage when struck.