Piranha Creeper

Piranha Creepers are a variant of Piranha Plants that debuted in Super Mario 3D World. They have long spiked stems which allow them to creep in and out of a fixed place. Piranha Creepers are larger than regular Piranha Plants and their heads are generally purple in color, making them similar to Spiny Piranha Plants.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
In Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch port, Piranha Creepers usually appear in jungle-themed levels, such as Piranha Creeper Creek and Deep Jungle Drift. They often live in holes in walls both on ground and underwater, but some even live in poison and, like normal Piranha Plants, in Warp Pipes. They snake along the ground and even in the air in various patterns, going to and from their living spot. Some of them are found sleeping unless they are attacked, after which they pause before moving back to their previous position and resuming their rest. Their heads turn from purple to blue with cyan spots in this state.

To defeat Piranha Creepers, the player must attack the heads of the Piranha Plants to make them back up and smack against their living spot. A Ground Pound or dive attack with the Cat form knocks them back further than a regular jump. Tapping on a Piranha Creeper's head on the sends them back to their hole, but they cannot be defeated in this way; the final hit must always be landed by one of the player's attacks. The player is hurt if they jump on the stem of a Piranha Creeper, but a stomp from the player using the Lucky Cat form defeats them instantly. Piranha Creepers release three coins upon being defeated. Unlike most enemies, Piranha Creepers are not defeated when the player touches the Goal Pole.

Super Mario Maker 2
Piranha Creepers appear in Super Mario Maker 2, as enemies that can be placed in the Super Mario 3D World style. Their path can be set by the player. Purple ones move constantly back and forth between their starting point and the end of their path, while blue ones sleep at the end of their path, thus staying immobile. When stomped on or hit with a projectile, they move back towards their starting point in small increments, and are permanently defeated if they reach it after being hit in quick succession. Otherwise, purple ones resume their routine and blue ones reset themselves to the end of their path after a short period of time. In this game, their heads are slightly smaller. Up to 10 Piranha Creepers can be placed in a single course area. Blue Piranha Creepers also make small sleeping sounds while they're in their sleeping state.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Piranha Creepers return in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS ports, having the same function as in Super Mario 3D World. They first appear in Piranha Creeper Cove and can be defeated instantly by falling on top of, spinning onto, or throwing a Turnip or other item at their heads. Unlike in Super Mario 3D World, however, tapping their heads just once with the touch screen will send them all the way back to their holes.

Mario Party: Star Rush
Piranha Creepers appear in the minigame Jump to Conclusion from Mario Party: Star Rush. They occupy several steps that the players have to climb in order to reach the finish, moving back and forth on them longwise. When a character jumps onto a Piranha Creeper, they are stunned for a moment before being able to move again.

Minecraft
In the Super Mario Mash-up of Minecraft, Shulkers and Lilacs are reskinned to resemble Piranha Creepers.

Mario Tennis Aces
In Mario Tennis Aces, sleeping Piranha Creepers can be seen lying around the Ancient Altar, where Petey Piranha is fought. They do not have any bearing on gameplay.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Piranha Creepers are mentioned briefly by Viridi during Palutena's Guidance dialogue for Piranha Plant. Piranha Plant's pink costume is based off an active Piranha Creeper.

Mario Golf: Super Rush
Piranha Creepers appear in Mario Golf: Super Rush in the last three holes of the Wildweather Woods course. Here, they act as obstacles and, if touched during Speed Golf, will damage the player, making them lose coins and stamina. In addition, during Regular Golf, if the player hits the ball into the dirt paths they create, it results in a stroke penalty.

Super Mario Maker 2

 * North American website bio: The Piranha Creeper will extend wherever you draw. Watch out for its spiky stem!