Tektite

The Tektite is a one-eyed spider-like enemy that has the honor of appearing in every Zelda game save for The Wind Waker. This common foe comes in several colored varieties and are usually found in mountainous areas such as Death Mountain and Mount Crenel, yet are not uncommon to lake regions or on the overworld itself.

Characteristics
The Tektite is a jumping spider-like creature in all aspects pertaining to appearance and behavior, changing little between games. From its debut in the original The Legend of Zelda, where it was called a "spidery thing", to its most recent appearance in Spirit Tracks, these foes tend to appear in at least groups of two, and have quite the tendency to bounce and jump around the landscape as they please, a trait exhibited most candidly in The Minish Cap. Certain incarnations of this enemy, for example the Tektites of Ocarina of Time, can also skim the surface of the water. While for the majority of Tektite incarnations, they are easy and quickly defeated using the sword, the Tektites of The Adventure of Link up the ante by shooting fireballs out of their eyes (in the non-Japanese version), and incorporate a nearly impregnable hide to make matters worse.

Tektites are no stranger to locations of many kinds; they have been seen in mountainous and lake areas, like in Ocarina of Time, The Minish Cap, and Phantom Hourglass, and have even been spotted crawling up the walls of dark caves in Spirit Tracks, not to mention on the Hyrule overworld as well. Early on, these creatures can only be found in temple-like locations in Twilight Princess, but eventually break out into the fields of Hyrule after such temples have been completed.

Variations
The Red Tektite (赤テクタイト) can be found mostly on land. They are opposite to Blue Tektites but always aim to use the same strategy in battle. They maneuver on ground rather cunningly, but a few slashes of the sword should easily kill these critters. They often frequent hotter areas such as Goron-inhabited mountains, however are not regarded to be one of the more heat-inviting species in these vicinities (in the Goron Mines in Twilight Princess they are situated amongst the more refreshing water-container mining compartment rooms).

The Orange Tektite appears in the Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. While the attributes of the orange Tektite are identical to those of the red Tektite it just a color alteration that makes them different. While some might be tempted to consider these creatures as actual red Tektites, the color distinction becomes clear when comparing other red and orange enemies within Zelda titles.

The Blue Tektite (青テクタイト) is a variety of Tektite which can be found in several games in the The Legend of Zelda series. It will follow after Link, bouncing, until it reaches him, dealing relatively small amounts of damage. They can walk on water and can jump down lengths from a considerable height, which makes areas like Lake Hylia and the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time perfect habitats for them. These foes are quite simple to kill; two blows with a regular sword or one shot from the Bow and Arrow will get rid of one quickly and without risking Link's health.

Water Tektites (ホーバー) are green Tektites which, unlike the Tektites from Ocarina of Time also found on earth, are found exclusively skimming on water. This variation appears in A Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, Oracle of Ages, and Oracle of Seasons.

As a result of a certain Kinstone Fusion in The Minish Cap, a Gold Tektite will appear at a seemingly random location; these Tektites are much stronger than their red and blue couterparts, taking an abundance of hits before admitting defeat, not to mention the increased speed that accompanies the heightened health. However, such increased speed and vitality comes standard for all gold enemies that are products of Kinstone Fusion.

Weaknesses
The Tektite is considered a "normal enemy", considering it only takes one or two sword swipes to defeat (depending on which sword/upgrades you have). Projectile weapons such as slingshot seeds or arrows work, as well. The Hookshot or Longshot is effective in stunning the Tektite and drawing it closer as in Ocarina of Time, while keeping it alive.

The Shadow Prince
In The Shadow Prince, Link encounters various Tektites if he chooses to hide behind a boulder to prevent from being seen by Charles of Moria. Link races up a hill to hide behind the boulder, and just as he dives to hide, he turns around to find a pack of Tektites have surrounded him. He easily defeats one, but is then grabbed by the rest of the monsters. The page ends with a Game Over with the young hero being killed by the Tektites.

Trivia

 * In Ocarina of Time, the Megaton Hammer can flip Tektites on their backs.
 * In Majora's Mask, Goron Link's ground pound will also flip Tektites onto their backs.
 * It is implied that the Rocktite of Spirit Tracks is simply an enlarged Tektite due to similarities in appearance and behavior.