“ | Although they look like smiling balls, don't let their appearance fool you. Ticks shoot a needle-like projection out of the tops of their heads whenever Kirby comes close. Use caution when flying over them, and always attack them from their level rather than from above.” |
— Description • Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Official Strategy Guide (Prima) |
Tick is an enemy in the Kirby series, debuting in Kirby's Dream Land 3. It gives the Needle ability when inhaled.
Tick appears to be a cute, harmless creature at first. However, if Kirby gets above one, its expression becomes mischievous, and it extends the spike on its head to try to damage Kirby, acting in a somewhat similar way to Scarfys when Kirby is facing away from them.
Tick appears as a mid-boss in larger form in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.
Some Ticks in Kirby: Triple Deluxe will hop towards Kirby in their cute forms.
Physical Appearance
Tick is a small creature whose body is shaped similar to that of a teardrop. Its body is colored white (originally a pale pink color) and the top of its head is colored a bright red. It has two large shiny eyes normally, but when attacking, they change to a more sinister appearance. It also has a wide smiling mouth (with the exception of Kirby: Canvas Curse, in which it has no mouth) which can change to a sinister grin whenever it is attacking. The red tip on its head is able to stretch up to over twice its height and become needle-like whenever it attacks.