Metroid Database Bestiary

The Ice Shriekbat is an ice-encased ceiling dweller. Like standard Shriekbats, these creatures are easily spotted with Thermal Imaging. They roost on cave ceilings, existing on a diet of insects, reptiles, and small mammals. Fiercely territorial, they dive-bomb anything that wanders near.

The Ice Shriekbat is similar to the Shriekbat in that it will drop from the ceiling and zip at Samus in a quick ramming attack. They are easily destroyed by either shooting them from a distance while hanging from the ceiling, rapidly firing as they dive-bomb (rapidly press A and L to fire rapidly while switching targets to quickly wear down an approaching swarm), or by simply dodging out of the way.

However, the Ice Shriekbat is also a rare scan, and they only appear in one room, Ice Ruins West. As an "endangered species", they will disappear after Thardus has been defeated and the adult Sheegoth appears in the room.

Shriekbats are an adaptation of the Skree from the 2D Metroid games into a 3D environment. Instead of dropping from the ceiling and striking the floor, they will instead fly towards Samus. However, unlike the Skree, which burrows into the ground, Shriekbats will simply explode once they either hit their target or strike a wall, which is not a very effective survival strategy.

Even though the scan says they are easily seen with the Thermal Visor, their locations are farily easily noticeable without it.