Author Notes - I'd recommend playing 'Impending Doom' from Pikmin 1 for this entry, but the Piklopedia theme from Pikmin 2 works fine as well.

A big goal of mine when writing these is to try to answer some questions. Obviously, not all questions can be answered - such as anything that requires Honeywisps to be dissected, since they just disappear on death - but I will answer as many as I possibly can. A good example is in the Arachorb family: why on Earth do they just stomp around and flatten the terrain for some reason?

ARACHORB FAMILY

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Pseudoinsecta
Order: Quadropod

EMILY'S PERSONAL NOTES

I don't understand how people can be arachnophobic. Seriously, these things are kinda adorable! The whole, you know, 'crushing Pikmin into paste' thing aside, of course. Granted, the term 'arachnophobia' doesn't really apply to them, seeing as they're not exactly spiders and instead evolved from insects. I guess the right term would be 'arachorbphobia'? I don't know; I'm no linguist.

Granted, if someone was 'arachorbphobic' of the Man-at-Legs, I really wouldn't blame them. I mean... IT HAS A MACHINE GUN! This creature alone inspired me to go to this planet specifically to do some research, because the idea of a semi-organic creature with a GUN was too fascinating to ignore! Throw in the fact that it isn't even in control of this weapon, and you have a recipe for a creepy and intriguing creature.

On a random topic, that exploding thing really ticks me off. I mean, seriously? Did these damn things know that someone would come along and try to study them, so they decided to troll us by EXPLODING whenever dissected?

PHYSICAL APPEARANCES

Arachorbs, as their family name suggests, highly resemble spiders with only four legs and an abdomen without a head. The size of this abdomen depends on the species, though they are typically quite small compared to the legs. The abdomen lacks any sort of features such as eyes and mouths, leaving to question how exactly Arachorbs can sense their surroundings or if they can even sense anything at all. Most species in this family are much taller than regular spiders, estimated to be at least 30 centimetres (1).

Pseudoarachnia armoralis (Beady Long Legs, arguably the most recognisable) is orange-yellow in colour, though the exact shade can vary between specimens. The distinct colour of its body is caused by waxy secretions that cover the body and make it more resistant to attacks and the elements. All four legs have two knees in the shape of small orbs, and its feet are shaped vaguely like buoys and are built for trampling the ground.

Pseudoarachnia furiendis (Raging Long Legs) shares many of the same basic physical traits as its Beady counterpart, but the differences are very clear. Its body is much bigger compared to its legs, so big in fact that it almost touches the ground. Its feet are significantly bigger too. It still has the waxy secretions, except its secretions leave its body black with purple veins instead.

Pseudoarachnia capillum (Shaggy Long Legs), as its common name suggests, has long hair-like fur covering its small body. These hairs are made of a similar substance that coats the body of its counterparts, though obviously it is much thinner to allow the fur to move like regular hair. This hair also grows out of its knee joints. One would think that the hair is there to provide extra protection, but it is relatively easy to pull it out. Its colouration depends on its location (see 'Habitat' for more details).

Pseudoarachnia calvitium (given the hilarious common name Baldy Long Legs) is technically just a Shaggy Long Legs that has lost its fur. However, the hair does not grow back when removed, so it has been classified as a separate species. (I'm not sure why, but I'm just going with the information I'm given). It, like its Shaggy counterpart, lacks the waxy excretions of Beady and Raging Long Legs, and so lacks any distinct colouring. It appears that some Shaggy Long Legs may be born without the fur, but it is currently unknown if this is a recessive gene or some sort of birth defect.

Pseudoarachnia navaronia (Man-at-Legs), though retaining many of the same basic traits, is wildly different to its cousins, and not just in name. It has a cybernetic nature, with most of its skin covered by plates made of oxygenated copper. In the few places these plates do not cover, the typical orange waxy skin can be seen. Its legs lack big feet capable of flattening the terrain, and one of its legs appears to be made entirely of metal. It emits steam, and - strangest of all - it has a compartment on the bottom of its abdomen which when opened reveals a laser pointer and a machine gun. I cannot make this up. This compartment appears to be welded to the creature's flesh, for one can see the flesh getting stretched to its limit when the compartment opens up.

HABITAT

The Beady Long Legs is typically seen underground, underneath temperate forests and tropical areas. However, they have also been seen above ground in the aforementioned areas too. They rarely spend any time on the ground itself, preferring to stay high above the ground instead. In caverns, they create massive webs out of their waxy substances in the ceilings, while those who live above ground walk around in trees, hiding in the leaves to protect themselves from massive flying predators.

The Raging Long Legs is a very rare variant, for it has only been seen underground in one cavern underneath temperate forests, specifically 'Hole of Heroes' in the Wistful Wild. Even within this cavern - home to many other dangerous beasts, including the aforementioned Beady Long Legs and Man-at-Legs - they are still very rare and no more than one has ever been seen. This is likely because they live in spider webs high above the ground, and they rarely come down. There is the possibility there are many more hiding in the ceiling, but the location makes this near impossible to confirm.

The Shaggy Long Legs, and by extension the Baldy Long Legs, are - by contrast - only found aboveground. They have been seen in both tropical areas and tundras, proving that the species has astounding adaptability. Those found in tropical regions are dark purple in colour, while those from the tundras are instead a bright white. Like Beady Long Legs, they are usually found in the trees until they drop down to the ground to scare away intruders. Unlike the other members of this family, this species has a habit of wandering around in an area much bigger than most Arachorbs, which typically stick to a small 'arena' of sorts and cannot be coaxed to leave it (in spite of popular belief).

The Man-at-Legs, much like the Raging Long Legs, has only ever been spotted underground. Which is perhaps for the better, considering the machine gun. It is a rarely seen species, but unlike Raging Long Legs has been found in multiple caverns. All the areas it has been found in have been sublevels made entirely of rusted metal, stacking upon other layers of rusted metal to create metallic scaffolding seemingly hovering in a concrete void.

DIET AND DEFENCES

Fully-grown Arachorbs might not have a diet. In all the time they have been studied, they have never been seen eating anything. In fact, since they lack any sort of visible mouth of any kind, many have deduced that they don't eat at all. This may sound implausible, but there are several species of moth - such as Coscinocera hercules, the Hercules Moth - that do not have mouths and survive entirely from the energy gained from their larval states, so this theory had some weight.

Of course, this would require the Arachorbs to have a larval state. This theory has led to many studies in an attempt to find this larval stage, and the studies have proven surprisingly successful. Further details shall be discussed in 'Courting and Childrearing', but the new discovery of larval answers many questions about not just the diet but indeed many other aspects of this family.

Arachorb larva appear to be opportunistic eaters, for they have been seen eating both plant and meat matter, and gladly consume plastics if given them. Larvae underground typically eat tiny bugs that dig through the dirt, while those above ground eat leaves and moss instead. They spend every moment of their life eating and eating, for it will be all the energy they can ever gather.

Contrary to popular belief, their habit of stomping around has absolutely nothing to do with their attempts at hunting. This belief likely stemmed when Captain Olimar once mistakenly described Beady Long Legs as a 'Pikmin-devouring' creature. Note that this was just a writing error on his part, for he was well-aware at the time that it did not devour the creatures. Still, their feet are made for stomping the terrain and any small creatures unfortunate enough to be under them will be turned to paste regardless.

Raging Long Legs, however, does often try to crush creatures intentionally by stomping around. Typically it only stomps around to flatten the terrain, but it has low patience for any creatures who decide to bother it. It exhibits low tolerance of annoyances and high levels of stress-related hormones, and will retaliate against any annoyances by stomping its feet around in a brief rage. Its gigantic feet all but guarantee that any small creatures that fail to get out of the way will be flattened. Fortunately, its bouts of rage are easy to predict and easy to get away from if one reacts quick enough. Out of all of the creatures on or in the planet, this one has proven to be the hardiest of them all: if its hardiness is converted into 'HP', it easily reaches 10000. For comparison's sake, a Red Bulborb (see 'Grub-Dog, Bulborbs') reaches a mere 750, and the second-highest number is that of the Titan Dweevil (see 'Dweevil'), which only reaches 5000.

Man-at-Legs has a different method of self-defence, to say the least. Its legs and feet aren't nearly strong enough to exert the force required to crush insects or Pikmin beneath, but it more than makes up for it with its machine gun. When it senses possible attackers - which is just about anything that moves - the machinery will take over and aim at the attackers with a laser pointer. Once it takes aim, it will proceed to fire explosive rounds at approximately two-to-three rounds per second. When the attacker is eliminated - or, at least, it is believed to have been eliminated - the machinery will allow the Man-at-Legs to take control of its own body once again. To say that the attackers rarely survive such a defence mechanism would be an understatement.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

All known species of Arachorb are solitary creatures and are rarely ever found in groups. Females may group together for short periods of time when releasing larvae (more information in 'Courting and Childrearing'), but will return to solitude soon after. Males, meanwhile, hardly ever encounter each other and attempt to stay away at all costs. If two Arachorbs of the same sex encounter each other, they will fight for territory. These matches often end in the loser's death.

Man-at-Legs, however, do not appear to have much of a social structure at all. They are solely solitary creatures and hardly ever meet up. When they do, they appear to be just as likely to shoot each other as they are to leave the other alone. In fact, it's debatable if they can even tell if a creature is indeed the same species as it or not.

COURTING AND CHILDREARING

Arachorbs have been shown to use their fair-sized feet to flatten the terrain beneath them, and many of the insects and Pikmin killed in this process appear to be killed by pure accident. This stumped researchers forever as to why they do such a thing, but it appears to be how they court.

Unlike many species of animals, it is the female Arachorb that does the courting. Once she is ready to make eggs, she will begin to flatten the ground around her to attract a male. This appears to be creating a nest or territory of sorts, and the biggest and flattest 'nests' are the ones that attract the males. It is rare that two members of the opposite sex will meet, and females tend to jump down and start flattening the terrain when anything approaches her territory, regardless of whether or not it actually is a male Arachorb. Male and female Arachorbs are difficult to tell apart at first glance, but a side-by-side comparison makes it obvious: females can grow up to twice the height of the males.

Once a male and a female mate through a process still unknown - seeing as they appear to lack any sort of external sex organs - the female often kills the male and incubates the eggs inside her body until they hatch. Only once they hatch into larvae does she open up her body and release them. This is why Arachorbs always split open like party balls upon death, which will unleash not only any eggs if she had with her but possibly treasures as well.

The larvae are left to fend for themselves, though most survive easily thanks to being hidden away from any predators. Once they grow their legs and lose their mouths, they go out to find a mate as quickly as possible. After all, they can't eat anymore and have exactly one mission to accomplish. Males roam far and wide, both aboveground and underground, in search of a female, while females will choose a territory and begin flattening the ground to attract a male. It is worth noting that Shaggy Long Legs do not fully grow out their hair until they are fully grown themselves.

Man-at-Legs do not appear to court or have children at all. It appears that they are in fact incapable of producing offspring due to their cybernetic nature. Seeing as their cybernetic nature also makes them biologically immortal and they have next to no natural enemies, it is yet to be seen if their inability to biologically reproduce will spell extinction for this species.

OTHER NOTES

It is very important to note that researching the insides of the Arachorbs is currently impossible, as they disintegrate upon death and explode when dissected. Hence, all known information is only that which can be gathered by observing live specimens. This is why their internal organs - if any - are still unknown, aside from the fact that they are coated in a thick heavy metal. This is only known since the metal is left over from the explosions and melts into a puddle. Attempts have been made to freeze them before dissecting, but they will explode regardless.

Also it bears repeating that Man-at-Legs HAS A GUN. Theories had arisen that the creature does not control the gun, but rather the gun controls the creature. While confirming this theory is near impossible, it seems quite likely as Man-at-Legs ceases all movement once the weapon is unveiled, and runs around in a panic once the gun is packed away. The relationship between both parties is still unknown, but it appears to be quite beneficial for the creature for it has no natural enemies.

NOTES FROM OTHER RESEARCHERS

Beady Long Legs -

Ah, so this is the one where all the different models originated! Without a big body, or hair, or even a gun, it seems a little plain in comparison to the others. But it's still effective at its job, once again proving that sometimes less is indeed more! - Alph

Ooh, I love the colouring on this one! So much brighter than the others. Can't say I'm keen on the whole 'stomp me into pancakes' thing though. - Brittany

It may be plainer than the others, but don't underestimate it because of that. In fact, it could be even stronger than its contemporaries, because it forgoes all the accessories and focuses just on attack power! - Captain Charlie

Raging Long Legs -

I'm not really feeling this one. Sure, it's the hardiest creature on (or IN, rather) the whole planet, but its body is too easy to reach. And those constant fits of rage cannot be good for its mental health. - Alph

Hm… it's got a massive head with seemingly nothing inside it, is kinda hairy, and very prone to random fits of stomping around aimlessly. Yeah, can't say I'm a fan of this one. The spider's kinda annoying too. - Brittany

What a sore soldier. When one's losing a fight, you don't just chuck tantrums about it! Of course, those tantrums lead to a lot of powerful stomping, so maybe it's onto something here. Still, I know better than anyone that constant stress is not good for you. - Captain Charlie

Shaggy Long Legs -

Its fur insulates it not only from the elements but also from attack. To strip away the hair is a long process that requires you to dodge its crushing legs, but it's the only real way to get at the monster's vulnerable core. I haven't yet solved the problem of how it sees. For one thing, there's all that hair in the way, and for another, I don't see any eyes. - Alph

The noise when this thing moves makes my ears hurt. It's only slightly louder than the captain tromping all over the ship. But I like the tufts of hair all over the legs. It looks soft and comfy, and I'm into the shaggy style. - Brittany

Talk about a tough nut to crack. It's too big to go down quick, it stomps on Pikmin like bugs underfoot, and its only weak spot is guarded by a thick nest of hair. We can get at it by ripping the hairs out one by one, but just the idea of doing that to something makes my own hair hurt a little bit. - Captain Charlie

Baldy Long Legs -

Did it lose its hair in a fight, or was it born bald? As ruthless and tough as it is, it also seems a little… pathetic. - Alph

I prefer its sleek look to the hairy one, which made me sweat just to look at. They could both stand to be cuter, though. Ooh! What if it was covered in wool?! - Brittany (Emily's Notes: What happened to being 'into the shaggy style'?)

They say the best defence is a good offence, but getting rid of all its hair to focus entirely on stomping around might have been taking it too far. Still, I can always respect a warrior willing to commit all the way! - Captain Charlie

Man-at-legs -

THIS IS NEW! I can't say I expected something like THIS on this planet! A gun that rapidly fires explosive rounds? That has to be the greatest weapon on the planet! I just wish it didn't use it on us. - Alph

W… What WAS this thing? I didn't think it would be so bad, but then… the gun. It has a gun. It fires explosive bullets. It has a gun. IT HAS A GUN! WHY ON THE SWEET PLANET DOES THIS THING HAVE A GOSH DANG GUN?! - Brittany

Okay, now that is just unfair! Usually Koppaites and the like have technology on our side to best our primitive opponents, but this soldier has a greater weapon that we could ever have! … I have to respect that. - Captain Charlie

(1) Like every other time height is mentioned in this document, it will automatically adjust to whatever is the most common method of measurement used on the celestial body it is being read on. In the case of planet Earth, it will be rendered in centimetres.

Author Notes - I really hope my answers are considered interesting enough. For all I know, I'll provide answers that end up being much more underwhelming than simply not knowing. Regardless, I'm kinda proud of the whole 'courting' idea. The idea of all Arachorbs you see (as in, the stomping ones) being female was inspired by how Raging Long Legs will drop a bunch of Mitites on rematches. The Mitites like to be eaten by females of varying species, implying that Raging Long Legs is female.

The 'typically stick to a small 'arena' of sorts and cannot be coaxed to leave it (in spite of popular belief)' part is inspired by that odd little urban legend regarding this game: that you could coax BLL out of its (I suppose her in this context) arena in Pikmin 1, and crash the game when she fell into the abyss. Turns out that the game is coded in such a way that this is impossible!

Next, we're dealing with our first single-membered family: the Arachnode! Be careful with your Winged Pikmin, or they'll be dropping like flies. By the way, the term would obviously be 'pseudoarachnophobia'. Emily, get it together.