Hoot

Hoot is an owl that first appeared in Super Mario 64. Found sleeping in a tree in Whomp's Fortress, Hoot will carry the player character into the sky, from which they can drop down. In Super Mario 64 DS, he is also found in Cool, Cool Mountain, Snowman's Land, Tall, Tall Mountain, and the huge part of Tiny-Huge Island.
Hoot is presented as a singular character in English media. However, his Japanese name, フクロウ fukurō, simply means "owl"; in , two owls resembling Hoot appear on the Woody Woods board. This could suggest that Hoot is Mario franchise's equivalent of the owl species. However, compare MIPS and the multiple rabbits that took his place in Super Mario 64 DS.
==Physical appearance==
Hoot is a brown owl with yellow tipped wings. He has round big eyes with brown eyelids and yellow eyes. He also has orange clawed feet, with which he is able to carry the weight of a human for a limited time.
==Personality==
A reference to the fact that owls are nocturnal predators, Hoot is depicted as a tired individual with drooped eyelids who can often be found sleeping in his treetop homes. The owl also appears to be a very cooperative character, as he offers to carry Mario around courses despite being startled awake.
In , Hoot is a heavy (and unfortunate) gambler, as he has incurred a great debt at the Jungle Game Hut after a long losing streak. The player is able to help Hoot pay off his debt of 30 Coins, though the credits show him shaking his head in disappointment at another loss.
==Mechanics==
Hoot the Owl picks up Mario and can take him up into the sky so long as the player holds onto the action button. Letting go will release Mario. Hoot can only carry Mario so far before he drops Mario off, complaining that Mario should "lay off the pasta". When released, Hoot will fly back to the tree where he originated. 
Hoot's drop off mechanic is confusing for a couple of reasons.
*Hoot does not drop Mario off in the same direction he faces. Rather, he drops Mario off in a reflected direction instead. The game does not visually show Mario facing in the direction he will actually be launched in.
*While Hoot resets most of Mario's momentum across the 3D axis when flying so that he drops Mario at the correct spot, Hoot does not reset Mario's stored horizontal momentum and thus can cause Mario fling much further than intended if Mario is moving when he talks to Hoot.
==Fanon appearances==
===Mario 3D World===
Hoot the Owl is listed as a supporting character in Mario 3D World. If you hit a Hoot Block, Hoot will come out and begin flying around. You can jump and grab onto him, like in Super Mario 64.
===Super Mario 64 Switch===
Hoot can be found in Super Mario 64 Switch sleeping in trees in several courses during the game. When Mario and co. climb into his tree, he will complain that they woke him up during daytime, but will then offer Mario and and friends a ride to the top of the course. The player can ride Hoot for as long as they would like. However, if Mario and friends hang onto Hoot for too long, Hoot will complain that their weight is making it difficult for him to carry them for so long, dropping them afterwards.
==Gallery==
HootTheOwlMarioPartyAdvance.png|Mario Party Advance
Hoot SM64DS.png|Super Mario 64 DS model
Hoot Sprite.png|Super Mario 64 DS screenshot transparency
Hoot SM64S.png|Hoot the Owl from Super Mario 64 Switch
Category:Non-fanon characters
Category:Mario Characters
Category:Mario (series)
Category:Males
Category:Non-fanon
Category:Animals
Category:Birds
Category:Owls