Croctopus

Croctopuses are octopus-like enemies found underwater in Donkey Kong Country. Their name is a portmanteau of crocodile and octopus. These creatures attack Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong by spinning their sharp, poisonous tentacles at any passersby. Their tentacles are even fatal to the Kongs' ally, Enguarde the Swordfish. Purple Croctopi move in fixed patterns around blocks of coral reef, while in the level "Croctopus Chase", several blue Croctopi follow a set path, while the Kongs have to avoid them for a long stretch.

Although Croctopi do not appear in Donkey Kong Land, the game does feature a single stage which features several Nautili, which, according to the game's instruction manual, are called "Nemo". Several Croctopi can also be seen in the Donkey Kong Country comic published in the Club Nintendo magazine; one of them attacks the Kongs and Enguarde.

Trivia

 * The color scheme of a Croctopus is similar to that of the extremely poisonous blue-ringed octopus.