Hopping Metroid

are highly mutated, ground-based Metroids which appear in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
==Description==
Hopping Metroids barely resemble the iconic Metroid larva anymore. They have developed four legs and an exoskeleton that covers most of their bodies except for their undersides. This uncovered section features a transparent membrane containing the Metroid's nucleus. Hopping Metroids can no longer fly as a result of Phazon mutation and thus they move around strictly by "hopping", earning them their title. They attack by slashing at Samus with their sharp Phazite-tipped front legs or spitting Phazon venom. Due to the immense quantity of Phazon stored in their bodies, Hopping Metroids are able to enter Hypermode at will; when they do so, they can generate small Phazon shockwaves similar to those made by Phazon Hoppers.
Hopping Metroids are still vulnerable to cold, though to a lesser extent than their flying counterparts as it takes additional Ice Missiles (even more when in Hypermode) to freeze them. Unlike Phazon Metroids, they cannot become intangible in an attempt to avoid Missiles.
Hopping Metroids can be found in Cargo Dock B, Entry Canyon, and Drop Shaft.
==Life Cycle==
It is unknown exactly how a Metroid mutates into this form, except that it is most likely a higher form of the Phazon Metroid. A possibility is that a Phazon Metroid is actually a larval stage and sheds its large membrane into the Hatcher or Hopping stage, in a similar manner to Metroid larva on SR388 molting into their insect-like phase, the Alpha and Gamma stages; the Gamma Metroid of SR388 features many similarities with the Hopping Metroid, such as the four developed legs, the exoskeleton, and the location of their respective membranes, leading some fans to believe the Hopping Metroid is the mutated equivalent of the Gamma Metroid. The Hopping Metroid also bears subtle resemblances to Metroid Prime, which may suggest a connection between the two.
As noted by the Logbook, the Hopping Metroid has lost the Phazon Metroid's ability to fly. This makes it unlikely that it is in the same life cycle as the flying Metroid Hatcher, which is also directly noted by the Logbook for losing the Phazon Metroid's ability to phase (an ability that the Hopping Metroid also lacks). Therefore, the Hopping Metroid and Metroid Hatcher may be separate branching paths of the Phazon Metroid's life cycle.
A Hopping Metroid's appearance and behavior is remarkably similar to that of the more powerful Phazon Hopper. In the English version, an explanation is never given for their similarities; since the Phazon Hopper is assumed to be a mutated Hopper instead of a mutated Metroid, this may be an example of convergent evolution, where two unrelated species develop similar traits to adapt to their environment. However, in the Japanese version of Metroid Prime 3, the Hopping Metroid is actually described the larval form of the Phazon Hopper, which is the next stage in the Phazon Metroid's life cycle and capable of reproducing on its own.
==Official data==
===Logbook entry (English)===
===Logbook entry (Japanese)===
==Trivia==
*The Hopping Metroids also bear a slight resemblance to the Splinter and Dark Splinter from Aether.
*If a Hopping Metroid is defeated with Hyper Ball, the creature rolls over on its back before perishing. This is similar to most insects upon death.
==Gallery==
Bn2VT.jpg|Possible Danny Richardson concept art
Hopping_metroid_render.jpg|Danny Richardson render
Cargo Dock B Hopping Metroids.png|Multiple Hopping Metroids at Norion.
Hopping_Metroid.png|Samus is about to blast a Hopping Metroid with her Hyper Beam.
Hopping_Metroid_2.png|Another Hopping Metroid appears on Norion.
LogbookEntry jp MetroidHopper.JPG|Japanese scan, referencing Phazon Hoppers.
==References==
es:Metroid Saltón
ru:Прыгающий Метроид
ja:メトロイドホッパー
Category:Creatures that can enter Hypermode
Category:Danny Richardson
Category:Hive creatures
Category:Metroids
Category:Norion
Category:Phaaze
Category:Phazon