- For other uses, see Scarab (disambiguation).
The Scarab[1][note 1] is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, scarab beetle-based Badnik model created by Dr. Robotnik.
Appearance
Scarabs are based on Scarabaeidaes, although they bear little resemblance to them. They have an ellipsoid-shaped light green body with a red plating across their forehead and back, and a pair of black-eyed black-rimmed cartoonish eyes on the front. They also have no limbs, except for a pair yellow wheels on their lower body that have long insect legs on their rims for moving them around.
Overview

A Scarab carrying a monitor, from Sonic the Hedgehog CD.
In Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Scarabs are enemies that are encountered in Metallic Madness Zone 1.
In gameplay, the Scarabs simply move back and forth within their designated area. While they have no offensive attacks against the playable character, if the playable character tries attacking a Scarab from the rear, it will grab them with their mechanical limbs (without causing damage), force them into the Spin Attack and launch them in the opposite direction. although this can be used by the player to gain speed. Occasionally, they can also been seen carry a Super Ring monitor each with their mechanical limbs. To defeat a Scarab, the player must attack it from above with the Spin Jump. In additional, if a Scarab is carrying a monitor when destroyed, it will drop it.
In the bad future, or, sometimes, the Present time frame of Metallic Madness Zone 1, Scarabs have not decayed, but move much slower. Also, like every Badnik in the game, they are powered by Little Planet flower seeds which will pop out of them when they are defeated.
Trivia
- In Sonic the Hedgehog CD, only a single Scarab carries an Item Box with the Super Ring power-up in the entire game. It can be found by taking the middle pathway of Metallic Madness Zone 1.
Notes
- ↑ While not listed in any instruction manuals, in-game source code from the Sonic Gems Collection version of Sonic the Hedgehog CD refers to this Badnik as "scarab".
References
- ↑ Flynn, Ian; Sega (8 December 2021). "Sonic CD". Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia. Dark Horse Books. p. 33. ISBN 978-1506719276. "Bata-Pyon - Its arms carry monitors, spikes, or even Sonic!"