Spotty Bulbear
A Spotty Bulbear.
Appears in N/A
Scientific name Oculus terribilis dotticum
Family Grub-dog
Areas The Distant Spring, Perplexing Pool
Attacks Eats Pikmin

Spotty Bulbears are creatures in both Pikmin games that resemble Red Bulborbs with a different color and stature, and larger mouths with wider lips. They are black with red spots, and their face is yellow. Its large mouth allows it to eat Pikmin more rapidly and easily, making it a rather more formidable foe. These enemies are often found with a number of following Dwarf Bulbears, which are supposed to follow this guardian as a source of protection and general aid.

In Pikmin 2, Spotty Bulbears have far greater maneuverability than other members of the same family, as well as a less focused patrol area; they have the ability to move literally anywhere in most areas, above and below ground, and may even enter the vicinity of Olimar's base. If the creature is defeated and its corpse remains, its HP steadily grows back, the creature reviving itself; after what may be minutes, it may return to consciousness, requiring a repeated "kill". For this reason, it is recommended that the body be quickly returned to an Onion or the Research Pod. The only above ground area where they are found is the Perplexing Pool (Pikmin 2).

In Pikmin 1, these creatures sleep, and have bloodshot eyes upon waking up. They have about one and a half times the health of a Red Bulborb, and their red spots constantly change in size, even after death. Returning a dead member of the species to an Onion produces 15 Pikmin sprouts, but a possible glitch may make carrying its body difficult in this game. They do not revive after they have been killed, but they regenerate if the player takes too much time to kill them.

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How to Kill

Pikmin 1

The exact same strategy for the Red Bulborb is effective here, but take care of the Bulbear's increased health. A large group of Red Pikmin or three bomb-rocks will do it in.

Pikmin 2

Spotty Bulbears do not sleep in this game and are constantly roaming the map, making a surprise attack nearly impossible. It is possible to trick the Bulbear into attacking and missing, allowing the captain access to its backside, but they frequently have Dwarf Bulbears following them, making this tactic risky. Another means of accessing its rear is to split the Captains, using the one without Pikmin as a distraction. If Purple Pikmin are available, they make the battle easier as they can injure and stun the adult and children, but with other colors it may be wise to use an Ultra-Bitter Spray. It is often effective to switch roles with and hunt the Bulbear itself before it can pick up any Dwarfs, and then stun and attack it.

If time is not a concern, captains can be used to kill the Dwarf Bulbears and even the adult without the risk of losing Pikmin. The Rocket Fist upgrade makes this especially easy.

To defeat the Spotty Bulbears in the Subterranean Lair in Challenge Mode, lure all three close to one another, then hit them all with a single shot of Ultra-Bitter Spray to petrify all three at once.

Trivia

In the Enemy Reel, Bulborbs are present in places that Bulbears inhabit in the finished game, suggesting this is how it was in the development version.

In pikmin the spotty Bulbear is larger than in Pikmin 2