Noki

The Noki are a race of short creatures with shells, first seen in Super Mario Sunshine. They, along with the Pianta, inhabit Isle Delfino. They live primarily at Noki Bay. Most of the Nokis rarely go to the rocky surface of the bay, instead inhabiting their city in the waterfall.

The profile for Noki in Mario Superstar Baseball reveals that they evolved from shellfish. The player will notice that most of the Nokis at Pinna Park wear clam like shells instead of hermit shells. In episode 8 of Noki Bay, the Red Coin Fish (who is made mostly out of coins), the player see Nokis Floating on jellyfish. This implies that Nokis are capable of surviving in underwater habitats.

Unlike the Piantas, they seem to be more trusting of Mario and more aware that he's not the real criminal. In Noki Bay, a Noki Elder aides Mario by instructing him how to go about his tasks. He also helps Mario by training him to use a deep sea helmet so he can go fight Eely Mouth in Noki Bay.

Piantas have made more appearances than Nokis. Nokis made a small appearance in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in Peach Beach and in ending ceremonies. They were playable in Mario Superstar Baseball. However the playable Nokis in the game were not boys but they were all girls. The player could also change the color of the Nokis.

The word "Noki" translates to "shell" in English; which is what a Noki wears.