The Tsuchinoko (ツチノコ, Tsuchinoko), is a legendary snake-like cryptid originating from Japan. The name "tsuchinoko" is commonly used in Western Japan, encompassing regions such as Kansai and Shikoku. In Northeastern Japan, this mysterious creature is referred to as "bachi hebi."
Within the context of the Metal Gear Solid series, the Tsuchinoko is one of the cryptids actively pursued by the UMA Finders Club. This club operates as an unofficial division of the CIA and was established by Major Zero, adding an intriguing element of folklore and myth to the game's narrative.
Characteristics[]
Descriptions of the Tsuchinoko depict it as a creature ranging from 30 to 80 centimeters in length, resembling a snake but featuring a distinctive central girth that is significantly wider than its head or tail. These mythical beings are said to possess fangs and venom akin to that of a viper. Intriguingly, some accounts suggest that the Tsuchinoko has the ability to jump up to a meter in distance, followed by a second jump while still airborne.
Legend surrounds the Tsuchinoko with additional attributes, including a purported ability to speak and a penchant for lying. There are also tales of this cryptid having a taste for alcohol. In some folklore, the Tsuchinoko is said to engage in the peculiar behavior of swallowing its own tail, enabling it to roll like a hoop. These mythical characteristics contribute to the mystique and fascination surrounding the legend of the Tsuchinoko in Japanese folklore.
Behind the Scenes[]
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater[]
In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the Tsuchinoko is a rare snake that remains undetectable by the Motion Detector and Thermal Goggles. It can be captured by placing Mousetraps around the area, or it can be killed using weaponry. When shot, the Tsuchinoko emits a squeaking noise reminiscent of a rat. Regarded as delicious, consuming it fully replenishes Naked Snake's stamina. If the player contacts Para-Medic after capturing it, she, along with the others, will congratulate Snake, who remains entirely clueless about the significance. Subsequently, Major Zero will sternly order him not to eat the Tsuchinoko under any circumstances, much to Snake's disappointment.
- "Never seen a snake like this before."
- ―Survival Viewer description of the Tsuchinoko in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
According to EVA's medical record in the Survival Viewer, accessible in Zaozyorje, she notes having eaten a Tsuchinoko herself, served alongside shark fin soup.
If the player completes Metal Gear Solid 3 with the Tsuchinoko still in their inventory, they will receive the rank "Tsuchinoko" and be granted the Infinity Face Paint. This face paint provides Snake with infinite ammo when worn. In the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection, capturing a "Tsuchinoko" awards players with a trophy/achievement called "Believe It or Not," referencing the investigations of the bizarre conducted by the Ripley's Believe It or Not! group.
Tips for Catching a Tsuchinoko[]
In the HD Collection, players can earn a trophy/achievement named "Believe it or Not" by capturing a Tsuchinoko. Here are several methods to catch one:
- The easiest method is to go through Graniny Gorki South (after defeating The Fear) or Sokrovenno (after defeating The End), eliminating all animals in the area using the sonar to locate them. Once all other animals are gone, the Sonar will still indicate something. Go to that exact spot and place several mousetraps. Leave the area, and upon re-entering, the player should hear the trap spring. Another option is in Graniny Gorki South, near a tree with a flat top just south of the center. In front of the tree in tall grass, place numerous mousetraps and run around for a while; eventually, the Tsuchinoko should be caught.
- Another location is in Bolshaya Past South, particularly in the grassy area near the Desert Facepaint in the tree trunk, after encountering Ocelot's group at the Rassvet abandoned factory. Place mousetraps where the guard is patrolling and wait a few minutes. Alternatively, go to the bottom right in front of the fence and place mousetraps in front of the Kerotan at the bottom of the tree for a faster catch. Obtain a mousetrap from the little wooden cabin ahead with the helicopter, then return and use the mousetrap for Tsuchinoko capture. It's also relatively easy to catch in the northern end of Sokrovenno West on the right side of the river with three or four mousetraps.
- After being captured by Colonel Volgin, losing all items and food, and meeting up with EVA behind the waterfall, the Tsuchinoko will be in this area near a log. Use the MK22 to capture it alive. Alternatively, use the Cig Gas Spray before entering the waterfall. The player can only capture this Tsuchinoko if they caught one in one of the aforementioned areas. EVA returns the player's weapons but not food, making this Tsuchinoko the one previously captured.
- The fastest method involves shaking down Ocelot in Rassvet for a mousetrap during the Virtuous Mission. Set it before following after Sokolov, then retrieve it when returning during Operation Snake Eater. Proceed to Bolshaya Past South on the east side just before the cliff. Place the mousetrap(s) in a small section of land between two sections of mulch with a tree, walk away, or wait at the edge until the mouse trap goes off. This process may need to be repeated a couple of times, but it should not take more than 10 minutes to catch a Tsuchinoko.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops[]
In Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, if Naked Snake manages to avoid triggering any alerts, his codename will be "Tsuchinoko." Additionally, for players who complete Portable Ops Plus on any difficulty without setting off alert mode (excluding the final mission), they will receive a feather for their picture and the codename "Tsuchinoko."
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain[]
In Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Tsuchinoko can be caught using a trap in the northern parts of the Lufwa Valley. If the player captures it, Ocelot remarks that nobody has ever caught one before and says that Snake made the discovery of the century.
- "A legendary snake said to reside throughout Japan, though some claim to have spotted it in the Tselinoyarsk region of the Soviet Union and within the Central Africa area of operations. Has a body as fat as a beer bottle, but a very slim tail, and is said to move like an inchworm rather than slithering in a snaking motion. Since there are no official records of its capture, it is eagerly sought after by UMA enthusiasts."
- ―Tsuchinoko description in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Other appearances[]
The Tsuchinoko also makes an appearance in another Konami game, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.