Gao

A Gao is a fire-breathing, sphinx-like enemy found within the borders of the Birabuto Kingdom in Super Mario Land. They stay in one place and shoot fireballs at Mario. These fireballs can even be shot backwards, and therefore Mario is not safe while they are on the screen. As with most enemies, they can be defeated after a single jump or superball, awarding Mario with 400 points. King Totomesu is the ruler of the Gaos. They are only seen towards the end of the stage in Level 1-3 or throughout the stage in Level 1-1 on hard mode. In appearance, they look like a mix between a pyramid sphinx and a lion.