Kakureimo

The Kakureimo is an enemy found in the files of. It is a fat, slug- or leech-like creature that is a bit smaller than a Red Bulborb and has a purple body, a pair of fins towards the front of the sides of its body, a yellow underside, yellow-orange stripes on its back, and a short, pointed tail at the end of its body. On the upper front of its relatively small head is a pair of long antennae with large, orange tips, and on either side of its head are three beady green eyes. The underside of its head harbors its large, circular, pink mouth, which is lined with jagged, white teeth.

Although unused and unfinished, the Kakureimo has quite elaborate behaviors, which are very similar to the Painted Whiskerpillar's. It emerges from underneath the ground and then waddles around to explore a small area surrounding its initial burrowing spot. If a Pikmin or leader enter its sight, however, it will become alarmed and then dash quickly to its initial location, where it burrows into the ground again. After being left alone for some time, a Kakureimo will reemerge and repeat the cycle, although given unknown circumstances it may decide to stay underground completely until the coast is clear, or periodically cautiously poke its head out to survey the surrounding area while it hides, even while Pikmin or leaders are in-sight. Additionally, when a Kakureimo burrows, its health will be completely restored. However, having a Pikmin place a bait berry in the vicinity of a Kakureimo will cause it to rush over to the berry and begin consuming it upon getting close enough to it. While eating a bait berry, it will be momentarily distracted, causing it to temporarily ignore Pikmin and leaders until it notices them again or they harm it, in which case it will drop its berry and rush back to its hiding spot. A Kakureimo will occasionally drop a full blob of nectar upon death.

Because the Kakureimo lacks particle effects or other related graphics, it is impossible to determine the initial location of it without seeing it burrow into and out of the ground, making its burrowing and emerging animations unappealing visually.

=In fanon games=

In Pikmin Eco
The Kakureimo is an enemy appearing in Pikmin Eco and is found within the overworld of Bounty Canopy. It doesn't immediately attack Pikmin or leaders, and instead flees from them when they come close. It continues doing so for twenty seconds before burrowing into the ground and disappearing, and once it burrows, it will not reappear until the next in-game day.

In-game notes

 * "Shy and timid by nature, this fragile creature has little defense against predators when above ground, and as such it spends much of its time underground, feeding on roots of plant matter. Despite this diet, it is only able to digest the roots and tubers, as chlorophyll is poisonous to this subterranean herbivore. Its antennae, upon further examination, have numerous tiny sensory ridges that allow it to detect faint vibrations in its tunnels."

In Pikmin: Infection in Progress
The Kakureimo appears in Pikmin: Infection in Progress, although a small fraction of the size of its original incarnation. They may be found buried partially in wet earth, in large swarms, with only their colorful back exposed. A swarm of Kakureimos will unearth themselves and begin their assault after the President and his Pikmin pass them by. They emerge almost silently from the ground, which often results in sneak attacks. They attack the rear of a Pikmin squad first as not to alert any Pikmin in front, latching onto the back of a Pikmin's head to alter their behavior, pulling the host Pikmin backward slightly upon doing so. Affected Pikmin may go idle or wander on their own accord, and will ignore any commands issued to it by the President. Kakureimos that are latched onto a Pikmin may be difficult to see to an untrained eye, but their position is given away by quiet, high-pitched squeals.

A Kakureimo is roughly the same size as a Pikmin's head and has a deep purple body, a yellow underbelly, yellow-orange stripes on its back, and three small green eyes on either side of its head. Two long, orange-tipped antennae protrude from the front of its head. Towards the front of either side of its main body is a fin. The bottom of the head harbors a large circular mouth, filled with jagged teeth, that is used to cling on to the back of a Pikmin's head.

Kakureimos are extremely easy to kill because they can be killed in a single hit from a Pikmin or the President. The President cannot assist in carrying Kakureimo corpses because of their incredibly light weight.