Glider

Gliders are creatures found in Metroid Prime.
==Description==
Gliders are docile, airborne creatures. Their fairly flattened bodies give them an appearance that is superficially similar to that of manta rays. They have a unique magnetic signature attuned to common Grapple Beam technology, allowing them to act as a Grapple Point. The Glider has spawned the sport of "Glider riding", which involves attaching to a Glider and attempting to ride it as long as possible. However, when Samus uses her Grapple Beam, they immediately stop moving the moment they're connected to her.
In-game, Gliders are found in the Phendrana Drifts and Phazon Mines, in the rooms Phendrana's Edge, Frost Cave and Fungal Hall A and B. They are used to traverse gaps which cannot be crossed with only the Space Jump Boots. Freezing one with the Ice Beam will help Samus keep it where she desires to swing. Gliders are one of the only creatures in Metroid Prime that do not hurt Samus on contact.
With good jumping techniques, it is possible to stand atop a Glider. Interestingly, some unused scan images depict Samus atop one.
==Official Data==
===Logbook entry===
===Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide===
;Glider
:"These silent flying creatures are completely harmless. They just circle in the air without giving you a second thought. What makes them unusual is that you can attach to them with your Grapple Beam as if they were Grapple Points. Until you have the Grapple Beam, just ignore them."
;Glider
:Found In: Phendrana Drifts, Tallon Overworld, Phazon Mines
:Recommended Weapon: Grapple Beam
:"Gliders are harmless creatures that soar high above the ground. They have an unusual magnetic signature that allows you to attach the Grapple Beam to their underbellies. Thus they can be used to swing from place to place. This can be tricky, because Gliders are always on the move. Always shoot your Grapple Beam before the Glider has moved into the position where you want it to be. It will take a moment for the beam attach and tighten, and the Glider won't stop moving until you begin to swing."
===Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;GLIDER
:"Gliders are the Whale Sharks of Tallon IV--they're large and imposing but not at all dangerous. You can use the blue critters as moving Grapple Points. Look up at the Gliders, then press and hold the L Button. If you're within range, you'll latch on automatically. As soon as you grab the Glider, it will stop moving."
===Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide===
;GLIDER
:MORPHOLOGY
:"The Glider is a docile, airborne creature with unusual magnetic properties. Glider live a relatively peaceful existence. They have a magnetic signature attuned to common Grapple Beam technology; the sport of 'Glider riding' involves using a Grapple to attach to a Glider, then attempting to stay on it as long as possible."
:COMBAT TIPS
:"Glider riding comes in handy as the game progresses. Gliders are not targets to be destroyed."
===Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide===
;GLIDER
:"Gliders won't attack and basically exist to act as floating grapple points for you to use after you attain the Grapple Beam."
==Development notes==
Gliders were originally intended to be Rippers, as seen in the 2D Metroid games. This is evidenced by the fact that Gliders are referred to as Rippers within the game's data, and by the presence of an unused alternate model for Gliders which heavily resembles a Ripper. The Glider was likely created to replace the Ripper when Retro Studios decided to make the wildlife of Tallon IV more original (including changing Magdollites to Magmoors and Metarees into Shriekbats).
==Gallery==
MP Glider Artwork.png|Concept art
UnusedGliderScan.png|Unused scan image
Glider_crop.png|A Glider in Frost Cave.
Glider.png|A Glider in the Phazon Mines
Glider model Prime (bottom).png|Model(underside)
Biology - Remastered 26.png|Metroid Prime Remastered artwork
Category:Species
Category:Tallon IV
Category:Phendrana Drifts
Category:Phazon Mines
Category:"Friendly" Creatures
Category:Mounts