Author Notes - Okay, I know what you're thinking. I know what you wanna ask me. My answer is... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4 PIKMIN 4- okay, I think you get the point.

Alright, I gotta go into detail about this revelation regarding this project. Inevitably, this new game is gonna have at least a few new enemies. I mean, it might not, but that would be silly. I have no idea what I'm gonna do for any new families introduced (if any), due to the alphabetical ordering of this thing. BUT, new members to pre-existing families will be edited in.

SLOOCH FAMILY

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Stylommatophora

EMILY'S PERSONAL NOTES

Alright, confession time. So I was exploring the Tropical Wilds, as I typically do when researching the species on this planet, before I encountered one of these guys. It was all fine and good, except… I didn't realise it was a creature at first. I, uh, I actually thought the land itself was erupting with lava/magma right underneath my feet! About five hours of panic later, I realised how much of an idiot I was.

No, I don't know why they trusted me to do the research either. They told me that my skills at zoology outweighed my 'cons', which I do believe to be true, but I think they were just looking for excuses to get rid of me.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCES

The only known member of this family, the Sulucina vulcanis (Pyroclasmic Slooch), bears a vague resemblance to their relatives in the Mollusking family. At first glance, they appear to be a sentient blob of lava that slithers around, with alternative stripes of black and orange moving down its body like flowing magma. Closer inspection, however, reveals their slug-like bodies. There are two antennae at the top of their cone-shaped bodies, and small whisker-like feelers above their mouths.

HABITAT

Slooches are found all around PNF-404. They typically live in warm tropical areas, but do not suffer in any way if living in colder climates. The flames emitted by those residing in cold areas are warmer than those living in the tropics.

DIET AND DEFENCES

Like most terrestrial gastropods, the Slooch consumes primarily plant matter. It 'slurps' up entire leaves and roots with its large blue tongue, before baking them inside of its mouth and swallowing in one 'bite'. It is often confused for a carnivore due to its diet consisting of Pikmin (see 'Pikmin'), but to a Slooch Pikmin are merely plants with legs. It may also consume insects, though typically only if those insects are in the way or if there are no leaves or roots in easy reach.

Their metabolism is incredibly slow. They will only consume a small amount of food each day. This is so they can wait until a leaf or root becomes accessible without risk. Otherwise, they may get too close to the tree and thus set it on fire. If they do not find any that they can reach without causing fires, they will gladly settle for small insects.

While most terrestrial gastropods defend themselves with a tough shell that is attached to their bodies, Slooches instead protect themselves with a thin layer of mucus that combusts on contact with oxygen. The chemicals in this mucus are quite similar to those found on the Fiery Bulblax (see, 'Grub-dogs, Bulblax'). To prevent itself from burning, the mucus constantly moves across its body to keep the body lubricated, hence the moving yellow lines.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Slooches do not directly interact with others of their kind often, despite consistently living in groups. The way they move and live independently, even in groups, gives the appearance that they do not even notice each other at all. However, if one Slooch realises that one of its 'friends' has fallen, it will react poorly. There is little distinction between their emotional states, but they exude pheromones related to stress and sadness when a friend perishes.

COURTING AND CHILDREARING

All Slooches have the same reproductive organs, and there is no 'male' or 'female' within the species. A Slooch becomes sexually mature after a month from birth, and will settle for any other Slooch they meet. Their method of reproduction resembles the humanoid act of kissing, though this is actually them transferring genetic material to each other. Once genetic material has been exchanged, both parties will dig a small hole in the earth and lay their eggs. Here they will keep their eggs warm until they hatch three days later, surviving easily without food. The hatchlings are born with flammable mucus.

OTHER NOTES

The creature exhibits a strong instinct to stay away from leaves that have not fallen to the ground. This is likely to prevent itself from causing any forest fires. Whether or not this is awareness of its destructive capabilities or merely instinct is unclear.

NOTES FROM OTHER RESEARCHERS

Pyroclasmic Slooch -

A coating of pure fire? Now THAT'S armour! Which it needs, because it's very slow to both move and attack. And even the fire armour does nothing against Red Pikmin. Back to the drawing board with this one... - Alph

Tons of style points for the cloak of pure fire. I couldn't pull off a look like that. I don't even like to leave the S.S. Drake when it's humid out. - Brittany (Emily's Notes: Tell me about it)

It's tough to beat a defence made entirely out of scorching flames. If you don't take it seriously, it'll be way too hot to handle. Fortunately, I'm just hot-blooded enough to take it, so long as Brittany doesn't give me that icy stare! - Captain Charlie

Author Notes - Alright, this story is gonna sound a little weird but I don't care. The idea that the Slooches 'kiss' each other is inspired by the day I found my two pet snails 'kissing'. I have no idea what they were actually doing (for all I know, it was a sign of aggression), but they had been leaving in that plastic cage for a couple of years together so it seemed really cute. 'Gary' and 'Mary' if you care to know what their names are.

Next time is the Snavians, so prepare for a lot of bird-snake hy- OH MY GOD PIKMIN 4 IS CONFIRMED I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!