Neuron

Neurons are a species featured in Yoshi's Story. They appear to be large multi-colored slug-like creatures with whiskers on the top of their heads. They only appear in one level, 4-4: Neuron Jungle. Their name is the same as the scientific term "neuron", which is a nerve cell in a human body. However, it may be an attempt to transliterate the Japanese name to English, as it is also the noise they make. The Yoshis can mostly use their heads as platforms to reach other places, but at times Neurons can push Yoshis off the edges of platforms to their defeat. Certain Neurons will also be nestled in inconvenient areas, blocking places and fruits off with their tall bodies. They have a spiked, underwater variation called the sea cactus.

In the Yoshi's Story adaptation in the manga book, Mario no Bōken Land, several multiple colored Neuron appear.

Types
There are four types of Neurons: They have eyes on the top of their heads covered by light blue and purple eyelids. When Yoshis touch an eye, it retracts into the Neuron. When Yoshis cause them to move, they say the word "Nyoro!" in a deep voice.
 * Red with maroon spots (stays still, but goes down when Ground Pounded)
 * Light blue with blue spots (tilts left and right and goes up and down)
 * Yellow with orange spots (goes straight up and straight down)
 * Pink with purple spots (stays in the air but tilts side to side)

Profiles and statistics

 * Shogakukan guide: 「のびたり、ちぢんだり、スイングしたり. 悪いヤツじゃなさそうだ. 」 ("It stretches, shrinks, and swings. It doesn't seem to be a bad guy.")
 * Nintendo 64 Spieleberater: Oh Mann, wenn ich mir das Ding so ansehe, wird mir ganz komisch. An irgendwas erinnert mich Odlido, wenn ich nur wußte an was... Aber egal, vor ihm brauche ich jedenfalls keine Angst zu haben. Er ist cool und macht sich selbst dann locker, wenn ich ihm auf der Nase herumtanze. Außerdem hilft er mir, hoher gelegene oder weit entfernte Ebenen zu erreichen. (Oh man, looking at that thing makes me feel all funny. Neuron reminds me of something, if only I knew what... But anyway, I don't need to be afraid of him. He is cool and makes himself loose even when I dance on his nose. Besides, he helps me to reach high or distant levels.)