Skree

From Metroid Wiki

Skree are a species of bat-like creatures that hang from ceilings. These hostile creatures are a common threat to Samus on Zebes. They were cloned by the Galactic Federation on the Bottle Ship and a very similar multiple-planet species appears named the Shriekbat.

Skree
Skree

Skree, a ceiling-clinging terror

Game(s)
Off-Game Appearance(s)

Metroid (manga)

Damages by
  • Ramming
  • Exploding (Also will grasp onto her in Other M beforehand)
Threat Capacity

Hostile

Natural Habitat(s)
Located in

Main Sector

Ethology[edit | edit source]

Skree are a gliding, diving enemy, unlike Wavers, these creatures glide vertically downwards, though they are able to influence their attack towards enemies. They are highly aggressive, and attack when prey is in range. These creatures are defined by Samus as predators.[1]

Though Skree seem to be predators, this may be inconsistent with their self-destructive behavior. They have been known to attack by swooping into the enemy and stabbing the ground, ultimately ending their own life with a bang. While such is common in swarm mentality enemies such as Scarabs, where members of a swarm will sacrifice themselves for the sake of a swarm, predators do not normally exhibit self-destructive tendencies.

Also despite being known as predators, they don't seem to prey on local wildlife such as Zoomers, only foreign species. This is evidenced by Skree always attacking Samus as she enters and attacking the Space Pirate on Zebes. This selective aggressiveness could have many reasons behind it, ranging from other species advanced camouflage to simple taste preference on the part of the Skree.

When something approaches, they will drop down and borrow into the ground, exploding soon afterward. When Skree explode, their sharp body parts will fling away and nearby victims can be damaged with shrapnel[2] and rocks.[3] The shrapnel appears to be much less dangerous than a direct hit and deals less damage. In Super Metroid, destroying Skree before they explode will still cause the shrapnel to fly away, unlike all other Skree appearances. Cloned Skree do not self-destruct on the Bottle Ship

Variation within the Species[edit | edit source]

 
A Skree depicted in Super Metroid

Though Skree may vary in power and appearance, their aggressive behavior and attacking methods are usually intact.

Skree appear to be closely related to Metaree. These creatures seem to be reinforced with much stronger claws, possibly metallic. They appear on Zebes, and may have been enhanced by the Space Pirates or have naturally evolved with tougher pincers. They appear only certainly in Super Metroid, though there are very similar, purplish-silver Skree that deal more damage and are tougher to kill in Metroid: Zero Mission. They are likely the same, though it is possible that they are one in the same.

Skree cloned on the Bottle Ship, as mentioned, seem not to self-destruct. This may be due to genetic engineering on the part of Galactic Federation researchers to limit self-destruction. Lacking this ability would be favorable as a bio-weapon. Though it is also probable that the Skree are unable to dive into the metallic ground and subsequently can't self-destruct. Because of this, these Skree attack Samus more than once, revealing an intense aggression.

Aboard the bottle ship there are also Cyclaws, seemingly mechanically enhanced Skree. Not unlike Metaree, they seem to have metallic exterior, or at least tougher exteriors. This seems to be the work of Bottle Ship Federation employees. Just as Metaree, Cyclaw became tougher opponents, more difficult to destroy and dealing more damage.

Relationship with Other Species[edit | edit source]

Skree seem to often be described as predators, though this may be inconsistent with their self-destructive behavior. They have been known to attack by swooping into the enemy and stabbing the ground, ultimately ending their own life with a bang. While such is common in swarm mentality enemies such as Scarabs, where members of a swarm will sacrifice themselves for the sake of a swarm, predators do not normally exhibit self-destructive tendencies. Also despite being known as predators, they don't seem to prey on local wildlife such as Zoomers, only foreign species.

Aside from always diving for Samus, a certain Skree dove to attack what it saw as a group of unsuspecting humanoids in Metroid, the manga. The group consisted of Samus, Kreatz, Mauk, and an unsuspecting Space Pirate. The Pirate had surprised the group as Kreatz noticed the small flock of Skree, the Skree dove and ripped through the Zebesian. By Samus's information, it seemed she, the Chozo, and even Pyonchi were accustomed to creatures of this nature on Zebes.[1]

Skree were one of many dangerous species planned to be used as bio-weapons by a corrupt sector of the Galactic Federation. Such projects may have still continued after the destruction of the Bottle Ship, as it is unknown whether or not the Federation has kept any samples of Skree DNA, though it is certainly likely that such an organization would have exactly so.

Manual Entries[edit | edit source]

Manual Entries
Manual info from Metroid

 

Skree: They stick to the ceiling and lie in wait for Samus. When he approaches, they spin downwards to attack him.[3]
Metroid's first entry
Manual info from Metroid

 

Skree: They use their wings like drills to descend from the ceiling and attack Samus. Be careful of rock splinters when they are digging into the ground.[4]
Metroid's second entry
Manual info from Metroid: Zero Mission

 

Skree: These creatures hang from the ceiling and drop down to attack when Samus passes underneath. They then self-destruct, inflicting damage with shrapnel from their exoskeletons.[2]
Manual info from Super Metroid

 

Skree: These creatures hang down from ceilings and drop as intruders approach.[5]

Sprites[edit | edit source]

Game Skree
Metroid  
Metroid: Zero Mission  

Trivia[edit | edit source]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

References[edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Kreatz: Huh? What's that hanging from the ceiling?
    Samus: It's a Skree! Be careful, this planet has predators found nowhere else in the galaxy!
    " —Metroid (manga), 1, Vol 6 Ch 8 Pg(s) {{{5}}}
  2. 2.0 2.1 "These creatures hang from the ceiling and drop down to attack when Samus passes underneath. They then self-destruct, inflicting damage with shrapnel from their exoskeletons." Metroid: Zero Mission Instruction Booklet, Pg 32
  3. 3.0 3.1 "They stick to the ceiling and lie in wait for Samus. When he approaches, they spin downwards to attack him." Metroid Instruction Booklet, Pg 29
  4. "They use their wings like drills to descend from the ceiling and attack Samus. Be careful of rock splinters when they are digging into the ground." Metroid Instruction Booklet, Pg 31
  5. "These creatures hang down from ceilings and drop as intruders approach." Super Metroid Instruction Booklet, Pg 27