Animal crate

An Animal Crate is a box that Animal Buddies are stored in before being released by the Kongs, although some come in Animal Barrels. When leaped on, the box breaks, exposing the buddy. The buddy inside can be identified by the image on the side of the box.

In Donkey Kong 64 Animal Crates act more like Animal Barrels, transforming a Kong into an Animal Buddy instead of just allowing them to ride one.