Metroid Database Bestiary

This simple organism is spherical and covered with dozens of sharp spines, from which it bears its name. The Needler’s spikes contain a painful toxin that will result in necrosis in high enough doses. For this reason, most predators tend to avoid the Needler, although the Gullugg has evolved a special spike beneath its head, allowing it to bypass the Needler’s spines.

Underneath the Needler’s shell is a sticky foot covered in short hairs that excrete a sticky fluid, allowing the Needler to crawl on nearly any surface. The Needler feeds on fungus and bacteria that grow on the cave walls.

Needlers are identical to the Tsumuri, but will only crawl on platforms. They appear in shafts and can be destroyed in one shot from the Normal Beam, dropping small Energy Balls when defeated.

The Japanese instruction manual also warns the player of the Needler's spines.