welcome to the metroid larvae exhibit!
The alien creature known as ‘Metroid’ has become an icon for all things horrifying and deadly. Reminiscent of something straight out of a horror film, these jellyfish-like aliens are far from cuddly. If you mistake their outstretched fangs for a warm hug, you’ll find yourself hopelessly trapped in their life-sucking death grip, a mere seconds away from your demise. But what is the science behind these killing machines and how can you survive an encounter with these creatures the next time you’re in the neighborhood of their home planet SR388? Check out our virtual exhibits below to learn more!
How on Earth does a metroid fly?!
Recent studies point to the nuclei as the source of the infant and larval metroid’s floating capabilities Research shows that the metroids are emitting some form of dark energy from their nuclei that counteracts the force of gravity. As gravity pulls down on the metroid, this dark energy is forced downward toward the ground so that an equal and opposite reaction from the ground will propel the metroid upward. In fact, the infant metroid can adjust the amount of dark energy it emits based on gravity readings right when it hatches from its egg. Immediately after hatching from its egg, the infant metroid will flutter weakly and may even lie on the ground for a time as it calculates the planet’s gravity. Once it has calibrated the amount of dark energy to balance the force of gravity, it only exerts the exact amount needed to hover on that planet. Unlike a stream of water or air, this dark energy downward force mysteriously cannot be seen or felt when standing directly under the metroid. Rapid movement of the metroid’s fangs and high pitched shrieking emitted from the posterior end of the metroid also aid in the hovering and flying motions of the metroid. Once the larval metroid becomes an alpha metroid, it loses most of its nuclei and can no longer hover as it did in its larva and infant forms. This supports the theory that the ability to hover originates from the nuclei.
More exhibits under construction, so come back soon!
Please come back to our Natural History Museum of Video Game Characters (NHMVG for short). We are currently finishing up our new exhibits on the “Origin of the Metroid” and “Metroids A(lpha) to Z(eta)”. As always, please leave us a review so we know how we are doing and if you found your stay at our museum educational and enjoyable. See you soon!
***NOTE: I do not own the rights to the images and characters depicted above. Nintendo owns the rights to the images and characters. I am merely a science writer trying to connect science and video games into one in an entertaining way. Thank you!
Life through green tinted glasses 
This is a very cool idea for a museum exhibit. I enjoyed the read! It never occurred to me that metroids are not parasites. Fun and educational! I look forward to the next exhibit and to learn more. Thanks for the work you put into these articles.
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