The Mamuta is an enemy found in both Pikmin games. It is fairly large, seemingly rocky and has two small eyes with dark markings around each one. Its body is notably asymmetrical. In the first game, it just stands and watches when Pikmin walk by. If any harm comes to it, however, it becomes enraged and pounds the Pikmin into the ground. This doesn't kill them, but replants them and turns them into flower Pikmin by some unknown process, which can be used to one's advantage, though it can get very annoying when it comes to plucking the Pikmin if one is in a hurry. However, with the Pluckaphone, a Mamuta can do more good than bad, as the planted Pikmin can simply be called out of the ground.
Captains, as opposed to Pikmin, do take damage, and are similarly pounded into the ground. In the first Pikmin game, this causes the creature to stop attacking and appear to relax; it will only attack again if Pikmin are plucked or if it is attacked.
The Mamuta is found at the Impact Site on even-numbered days (on odd-numbered days, the Goolix is encountered instead), but in Pikmin 2, Mamutas are only found underground, and are more aggressive, attacking any Pikmin that approach them. Their health is less than in Pikmin, yet their attacks have the same effect as previously. A Mamuta inside the Frontier Cavern holds the Brute Knuckles, making it the only non-boss enemy which carries a piece of the Explorer's Friend Series, which constitutes the Exploration Kit.
Ship Log
Artwork of the Mamuta.
"This seems to be a gentle, flower-loving creature, but if angered, it is fierce. Its mighty open-handed smack... It reminds me of the time back home when a mosquito landed on my head, and my wife tried to get it..."
Notes
Killing Strategy
Pikmin
There is no threat, only the problem of having to pick planted Pikmin, which can take a while without the Pluckaphone (Pikmin 2 only), although it can be troublesome if the Mamuta hits the captain, incapacitating him for a second or more. Throwing Pikmin onto it from a distance is often more effective to avoid this than swarming, unless Olimar is accompanied by a large group of Pikmin. Attacking from behind is also advantageous. Purple Pikmin allow for an especially easy defeat.
Captains
Although very difficult, Olimar can defeat the Mamuta by attacking him from behind. However, it is recommended that Olimar uses Pikmin, as attacking the Mamuta by himself is time-consuming.