Chikunto

Spiked Ants (generically referred to by Nintendo Power as an ant ) are a type of Ant capable of protruding spikes from their bodies, appearing in the Macro Zone in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins. If Mario jumps on them when their spikes are out, he will take damage.

Usually, they will walk with their spikes retracted, and then stop to stick out their spikes as Mario approaches. Mario must wait before they retract their spikes again before he can jump on them. They can be defeated by a fireball, regardless of whether or not their spikes are protruding.