Bearded Amprat

Bearded Amprat
Appears in	Pikmin 3, Pikmin 4
Scientific name	Porcellus barbavolta
Family	Numbouse
Areas	Distant Tundra, Formidable Oak, Blossoming Arcadia, Hero's Hideaway (Story Mode and Olimar's Shipwreck Tale)
Caves	Below-Grade Discotheque, Plunder Palace
Mission Mode Collect Treasure! stages	Shaded Garden Remix, The Rustyard, Forgotten Cove
Mission Mode Battle Enemies! stages	Silver Lake, Distant Tundra Remix, Clockwork Chasm
Side Story days	River, Tundra, Creature Hunting, First Part Found, Team Monster Hunt, Looking for Louie, Another Part Found, The Ship Restored
Dandori Challenge stages	None
Dandori Battle stages	Dandori Castle
Bingo Battle stages	Rusted Labyrinth, Jigsaw Fortress, Blooming Terrace, Parched Brook, Corroded Maze, Jigsaw Colosseum
Attacks	Eat Pikmin, electrocute Pikmin

The Bearded Amprat (ビリー^?, lit.: "Billy") is a rodent-like enemy in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4. It attacks Pikmin by generating electricity, stunning all Pikmin attacking it (except Yellow Pikmin), and then eating them. It resembles a small white guinea pig with large brown spots on its face and back. Its head is rounded with small eyes in the front and no apparent ears. As its name implies, its face is draped in large amounts of long, straight hair. It has four small, mouse-like feet, which it uses to move around and to grab prey. Unlike the rest of its body, the feet are green with brown tips on the toes, which lack claws. It has a skinny, mouse-like tail.

Stats

Game	Weight	Max. carriers	Seeds	Value	Health
(?)	7	15 (normally)	8	× 50  × 50	750
	7	14	6	× 7	750

Behavior

Normally, the Bearded Amprat passively walks around its territory. When Pikmin or a leader comes close, however, it will begin to rapidly rub its beard, generating electricity, which causes its hair to flare up and reveal its true face as it charges to try and grab Pikmin and eat them. This hair spikes up when they are attacked, and electricity will begin to pulse through their entire body to harm all non-Yellow Pikmin. After a short period of being on the attack, or after the player leaves the creature alone, the Amprat will return to its neutral, harmless state of wandering around.

Locations

Pikmin 3

Areas

• Distant Tundra - One spawns the day after the double-bridge is fully built
  • There are four Bearded Amprats in this area. The first one can be found west of the landing site, in the alcove blocked off by a dirt wall. This alcove contains a Bouncy Mushroom, and in the Wii U version, a Red 1-pellet and a Rock 1-pellet. The second and third Bearded Amprats are located on the raised section directly south of the landing site. The pair are guarding the half-buried Citrus Lump, as well as a bundle of hay used to more easily access their territory. The final Bearded Amprat, that spawns the day after the double-bridge is fully built, can be found at the end of the slope east of the landing site.
• Formidable Oak
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in this area. It is located in the area's first main segment, in the largest main space that contains a tree trunk. The Amprat is located on the western side of this space, between the pile of bridge fragments and the thin pathway leading to the paper bag.

Side Stories

Olimar's Assignment

• River
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this story's area. They can both be found towards the far east - directly east of this story's landing site, in the section where the three Orange Bulborb would be located during Story Mode. Each Bearded Amprat holds one half of the Stellar Extrusion.
• Tundra
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this story's area. The first Amprat is located on the raised section south of the landing site, the same section where the pair of Bearded Amprats in Story Mode can be found. The second Amprat can be found at the bottom of the slope slightly east of the landing site, sharing the same location as the Bearded Amprat that spawns after the double-bridge gets built during Story Mode.

Olimar's Comeback

• Creature Hunting
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this story's area. They can both be found in the area's main segment, towards the far north. During Story Mode, the Cupid's Grenade and the red fragment bridge can be found here.
• First Part Found
  • There are three Bearded Amprats in this story's area. The first two Amprats are located east of the Yellow Onion, just past the electric gate. They are in front of the entrance that leads to the Yellow Pikmin cave, though it is inaccessible during this game mode. The third and final Amprat can be found slightly southeast of the Red Onion, between the snowman and the thin bridge. Slightly south of the Amprat is a pair of Hermit Crawmads and some Male Sheargrubs, as well as the SPERO.
• Team Monster Hunt
  • There are three Bearded Amprats in this story's area. The first Amprat is located towards the southeast, at the end of the pathway east of the Rock Onion (blocked off by an electric gate). During Story Mode, a Sunseed Berry can be found on a ledge near here. The remaining two Amprats are located towards the northwest, sharing the space where a pair of Yellow Wollyhops would be during Story Mode.
• Looking for Louie
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this story's area. They can both be found in the second main segment, the one Olimar starts in. They are both on the section containing the large tree, with them being on the southwestern side. Slightly north of the two Amprats is a Burrowing Snagret.
• Another Part Found
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this story's area. They can both be found along the pathway north of the section with the tree stump. During Story Mode, an iron ball can be rolled down this pathway to smash a crystal wall.
• The Ship Restored
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in this story's area. It can be found in the main segment, alongside a Calcified Crushblat, a Pyroclasmic Slooch, and a Watery Blowhog. These four enemies are in the Story Mode's landing site.

Mission Mode

Collect Treasures!

• Shaded Garden Remix
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this stage. The first one can be found east of the SPERO, between the plant pot containing some Winged Pikmin sprouts and the reinforced wall. The second one is located towards the northeast, directly north of the previous Amprat. Is it adjacent to the bamboo gate and a pair of Golden Sunseeds. The first Bearded Amprats holds 1 Searing Acidshock and the second Bearded Amprat holds 2 Searing Acidshocks.
• The Rustyard
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in this stage. It is located towards the northeasternmost part of the map, in the grassy section containing the Insect Condo and a Golden Sunseed. Brittany starts the stage slightly west of the Amprat.
• Forgotten Cove
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in this stage. It can be found towards the northwest, adjacent to the large body of water. The Amprat is located at the bottom of the slope leading from the northern reinforced wall, and Alph starts the stage slightly east of it.

Battle Enemies!

• Silver Lake
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this stage. They can both be found in the northernmost section of the map, in an alcove blocked off by an electric gate. The alcove is slightly northeast of the Winged Onion.
• Distant Tundra Remix
  • There are three Bearded Amprats in this stage. The first Amprat is located towards the north of the stage, in the small section slightly east of the Rock Onion. This section is blocked off by an electric gate, and it is near the exit of the cave Brittany crash-lands in during Story Mode. The second Amprat can be found directly east of the Yellow Onion, at the bottom of the slope from where the landing site would be during Story Mode (now occupied by a pair of Pyroclasmic Slooches). It shares the same location as one of the Amprats during Story Mode. The third Armprat is located slightly east of the previous Amprat, in the center of the now-dried out body of water.
• Clockwork Chasm
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in this stage. It can be found on the northwesternmost platform, which is metallic and contains a red screwdriver.

Bingo Battle

• Rusted Labyrinth
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in layout A. The first one can be found north of the cyan-colored Onion, in the open section containing some fruits. The second one is located south of the pink-colored Onion, in another open section containing some different fruits.
• Jigsaw Fortress
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in layout A. It is located in the center of the map, on the jigsaw floor. It is adjacent to the electric gate blocking off the Citrus Lump, as well as a pile of hay and a pair of Dwarf Bulbears.
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in layout B. The first one can be found near where the one in layout A can be found, though it is more closer to the edge of the map. It is guarding a pile of hay. The second one is located in the corner of the map linking the green and yellow jigsaw floors together. It is near a purple-floored alcove containing some nectar eggs and a Red Marble on a raised ledge.
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in layout C. The first one is located in the same location as the ones found in layout A and B. The second one can be found on the lowest layer of the fortress, in the corner containing a Face Wrinkler.
• Blooming Terrace
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in layout A. The first one can be found in the southwesternmost section, and the second one is located in the northeasternmost section, each blocked off by a dirt wall and an electric gate.
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in layout B. Depending on the layout, it can either be found in the northern alcove, or the southern alcove. The opposite alcove will contain a Whiptongue Bulborb.
• Parched Brook
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in layout B. They can both be found on the raised section containing the Insect Condo, with one being at either sides of the section.
• Corroded Maze
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in layout A. The first one can be found in the southernmost section, next to a dirt wall and a Red Marble, and the other one is located in the northernmost section, next to another dirt wall and a Blue Marble.
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in layout B. Depending on the layout, it can either be found slightly north or slightly south of the map's central section. It is next to a reinforced wall, and the other direction will hold a Pyroclasmic Slooch.
• Jigsaw Colosseum
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in layout C. The first one is located in the southwestern section, and the second one can be found in the northeastern section.

Pikmin 4

Areas

• Blossoming Arcadia
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this area. The first Amprat is located slightly southeast of the Fragrant Ravine base, the default base, with it being in the section behind the dirt wall. It's the section housing the Floral Instigator. The second Amprat can be found in the raised section slightly northwest of the previous Amprat, locked behind an electric gate. This raised section has the Secluded Courtyard cave entrance and the Daughter Doll Head.
• Hero's Hideaway
  • There are two Bearded Amprats in this area. They can both be found towards the southeast, guarding the Foot of the Stairs base from being used.

Caves

• Below-Grade Discotheque
  • There are two Bearded Amprats on sublevel 2. The first Amprat can be found just ahead of the base, and it may be fighting some wild Yellow Pikmin. The second Amprat is located on the other side of the electric gate.
• Plunder Palace
  • There are two Bearded Amprats on sublevel 1. The first one is located directly north of the base, adjacent to where the Disk of Sorrowful Wisdom initially spawns. The second one can be found east of the previous Amprat, adjacent to a Dwarf Orange Bulborb and where the Solar-Powered Computing Machine initially spawns.

Dandori Battles

• Dandori Castle

Olimar's Shipwreck Tale

• Hero's Hideaway
  • There is one Bearded Amprat in this tale's area. It is located on the raised section towards the northeast, specifically, it's the raised section housing the sink. The Amprat is south of the sink, locked behind an electric gate, guarding the Geiger Counter.

Strategy

The following article or section contains guides. The strategies shown are just suggestions.

Due to their electricity, the Bearded Amprat is best fought with Yellow Pikmin. Whether electricity is flowing through one's body or not, Yellow Pikmin can be thrown onto their body to deal safe damage. However, the Bearded Amprat, when flared up, can still shake Pikmin off and eat a few at a time, so you must stay alert and whistle them back before this happens. The leaders should keep a good distance from the Amprat while fighting because if a leader is struck, if the Anti-Electrifier hasn't been acquired, they will be forced back and immobilized briefly. This leaves the Pikmin vulnerable to any enemies in the area.

Red Pikmin, Rock Pikmin, and Purple Pikmin may also be used to defeat the Amprat efficiently, but with a greater risk. While the creature is roaming about, attack it with a group of Pikmin before it can react. If the creature does manage to charge up its electrical attack, then you should immediately call back all Pikmin and move a considerable distance from it or use nearby plants to hide in. The Amprat should calm down quickly, providing a second chance to attack and defeat it.

Notes

Alph's comments

“Structural flaw: soft hide
Weight: 7

Electricity generation is a useful trait in an animal! I'm not sure if this one can be domesticated, but think of all the useful applications if it could. At the very least, we could study it to see if we could reproduce the trick.”

Brittany's comments

“With a few tweaks to its output, I bet its electricity-generating properties could really open up my pores. I'll run the idea by Alph and see what he thinks.”

Charlie's comments

“It looks cute and fuzzy, and that's how it springs its trap. Throw a few Pikmin on thinking it's easy prey, and it'll zap the life out of them. The best strategy is to take a squad of Yellow Pikmin. Then it's you who'll get the last laugh.”

Louie's comments

“Pan roast the thighs with sprigs of rosemary and whole garlic cloves. Finish with a squeeze of fruit juice to highlight the subtle notes of the lingering electricity.”

Olimar's comments

 US version

“Bearded Amprat
Porcellus barbavolta
Numbouse family

The hair covering its face works as a capacitor. It charges electricity by rubbing the hair to build static, then discharges it at enemies intruding on its territory. It's more territorial than aggressive, attacking only when threatened rather than to hunt prey. It has several qualities unique to this ecosystem, such as breastfeeding its young, which may someday give rise to a whole new taxonomy of fauna here.”

 European version

“Bearded Amprat
Porcellus barbavolta
Numbouse family

The hair covering its face works as a capacitor. It charges electricity by rubbing the hair to build static, then discharges it at enemies intruding on its territory. It's more territorial than aggressive, attacking only when threatened rather than to hunt prey. It has several qualities unique to this ecosystem, such as producing milk for its young, which may someday give rise to a whole new taxonomy of fauna.”

Dalmo's notes

“This little cutie has a long beard that makes it look a bit curmudgeonly. But if you were to try brushing it, do so with caution! This dear one will... Well, see for yourself. Move in close to get a good look. A truly shocking experience awaits you.”

Olimar's notes (Pikmin 4)

“The hair covering its face works as a capacitor. It charges electricity by rubbing the hair to build static, then discharges it at enemies intruding on its territory. It's more territorial than aggressive, attacking only when threatened rather than to hunt prey.

It has several qualities unique to this ecosystem, such as breastfeeding its young, which may someday give rise to a whole new taxonomy of fauna here.”

Louie's notes (Pikmin 4)

“Pan roast the thighs with sprigs of rosemary and whole garlic cloves. Finish with a squeeze of fruit juice to highlight the subtle notes of the lingering electricity.”

Pikmin 3 website

“A fearsome creature capable of sending out electric shocks to fend off any Pikmin brave enough to come into contact with it.”

Pikmin 3 Prima Guide

“When a Bearded Amprat feels threatened, it rubs its face to build up a static charge. When the Bearded Amprat releases the charge, its whiskers lift up, exposing its sharp teeth. While its teeth are exposed, this enemy uses its front paws to feed nearby Pikmin into its mouth.

When you attack a Bearded Amprat, use Yellow Pikmin to overcome the electrical charge. If you're not able to defeat the creature before it releases the charge, call your Pikmin away before they're eaten. Whenever possible, flank the creature to attack from the rear.”

Pikmin Garden

Text

“ヒゲをこすって静電気を起こす、ネズミの一種。非常に珍しい哺乳類で、進化分類学の特異点として今後の研究が期待されている。

特徴 その1 電気を発生させる

高い蓄電性を持つ長いひげをこすり、静電気を集めて放電する。

(Image text:

• 繰り返しこする
• 上下のアゴに伸び続ける２つの門歯があり、犬歯はない)

特徴 その2 体温を一定に保つ

全身が毛に覆われていて、体温を一定に保ち、毛が薄い腹部やしっぽで体温調節を行う。子を乳で育てる、珍しい特徴を持っている。”

Translation

“A kind of rodent that generates static electricity by rubbing its whiskers. It is a very unusual mammal and is expected to be studied in the future as a singularity in evolutionary taxonomy.

Feature #1: Generating electricity

It rubs its long whiskers, which have high electrical storage capacity, to collect and discharge static electricity.

(Image text:

• "It rubs repeatedly"
• "It has two incisors that continuously grow in the upper and lower jaws, and no canines")

Feature #2: Maintaining a constant body temperature

Its entire body is covered with fur, maintaining a constant body temperature, and it uses its abdomen and tail, which are thinly furred, to regulate its body temperature. It produces milk for its young, an unusual trait.”

Technical information

Pikmin 3 technical information (?)
Internal name	billy
HP	750
Rock Pikmin throw hits to kill	15
White Pikmin ingestions to kill	3
Bomb rock explosions to kill	1
Bomb rock ingestions to kill	1
Number of direct hits on top to kill	0
Damage to leaders	10
Territory radius	300
Mission Mode value	50

Other information

• Pikmin 4 Piklopedia number: #79
• This enemy triggers the Auto Target Lock note in the Rescue Journal

Naming

• Common name: Bearded Amprat. The word "Bearded" refers to its long beard-like hairs on its face, and "Amprat" is a portmanteau of "Amp", a measurement unit of electricity, and "rat", a type of real-life rodent which it resembles.
• Japanese nickname: ビリー^?, lit.: "Billy". It may be derived from ビリビリ^?, an onomatopoeia often used in Japanese to describe the sound of electricity.
• Japanese name: テンジクシビレネズミ^?. シビレ^? means "numbness", referring to its ability to paralyze Pikmin, while テンジクネズミ^? means "guinea pig".
• Scientific name: Porcellus barbavolta. Porcellus is the second word in the species name for guinea pigs, which the Bearded Amprat is similar to. Barba is Latin for "beard", while volta is derived from "Volt", a unit of electric potential.
• Internal names: Its internal name, billy, matches its Japanese name.
• Prerelease: None.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ビリー? Birī	Billy
Chinese (traditional)	電鬚鼠 Diàn Xū Shǔ	Electric Beard Rat
Chinese (simplified)	电须鼠 Diàn Xū Shǔ	Electric Beard Rat
Dutch	Zapibara	Zap Capibara	The name is a portmanteau of "zap" and "capibara" (capybara)
French	Bzit		The french onomatopoeia for an electric shock
German	Voltster		The name is a portmanteau of "Volt" and "Hamster"
Italian	Barbostatico
Korean	수염쥐 Suyeom-Jwi	Beard Rat
Portuguese	Capivolt	Cabyvolt	The name is a portmanteau of "capivara" (capybara) and "volt" (volt)
Spanish	Estaticán lanudo		"Estaticán" is a portmanteau of "estática" (static) and "can" "lanudo" means wooly

Gallery

Pikmin 3

• 

  Artwork of the Bearded Amprat from Pikmin 3.

• 

  An Amprat building up static in its beard.

• 

  Bearded Amprat about to eat Pikmin.

• 

  Bearded Amprat stretching.

• 

  Bearded Amprat sniffing around.

• 

  A dead Bearded Amprat seen from the back.

• 

  Yellow Pikmin attacking the Bearded Amprat.

• 

  A pair of Bearded Amprats seen in the Side Story Creature Hunting.

• 

  The data file on the Bearded Amprat.

Pikmin 4

• 

  The Bearded Amprat's Piklopedia icon in Pikmin 4.

• 

  A wild Bearded Amprat in the Blossoming Arcadia.

• 

  A Bearded Amprat fighting wild Yellow Pikmin in the dark.

• 

  The landing site Foot of the Stairs being guarded by two Amprats.

• 

  A defeated Bearded Amprat in the Piklopedia.

Other

• 

  The rookie Rescue Officer mistaking a Bearded Amprat for Oatchi as seen in the "Panic and Confusion" comic.

Trivia

• The Bearded Amprat is one of the few creatures in the Pikmin universe that seems to retain some traits from modern-day mammals, which is noted by Olimar's log entry as being unusual.
• The Bearded Amprat is the only enemy that displays a visible anus, though the mouth of the Sandbelching Meerslug technically serves the same purpose.

See also

• Widemouthed Anode Beetle