Colmillos

Colmillos are Plaga-infested wolves in Resident Evil 4. The name means "Fangs" in Spanish.

Characteristics
Colmillos are feral creatures usually resembling wolves. Though at first appearance they may deceive an unsuspecting enemy, their eyes glow green in the dark, and they tend to be much more violent and aggressive than other kinds of wolves. Heavy gunfire will expose the Plaga within their bodies, which bristles with many long thin tentacles. The Colmillos' preferred battle tactics are to jump and pin their enemies to the ground, then attempt to rip out the throat of the player. Or alternatively, when the Colmillos' Plagas are exposed, they slash the player with their tentacles. The Colmillos will tear Leon's throat out with their teeth if they are able to bring his health to the red spot and the player is unable to shake them off. They can also trap the player by having 1 or 2 maneuver behind the player and 2 or 3 will stay in front of the player, leaving the player with nowhere to go.

Role in Resident Evil 4
Colmillos first appear if Leon attempts to re-cross the lake after slaying Del Lago. A pack of three of these creatures awaited him on the opposite shore. Later on, near the Village's chapel, another pack is encountered which must be dealt with in order to continue. Ramon Salazar also keeps a selection of these vicious creatures in his maze garden, calling them his pets, where they will attempt to ambush the player while exploring the Maze.

Strategies

 * The TMP and the shotgun are effective in dispatching Colmillos.
 * Incendiary Grenades are also extremely effective, killing them instantly. Colmillos can also be killed if they run into the flames.
 * Alternately, if the plaga is exposed, they can be killed with a Flash Grenade.
 * The Colmillos' speed is a factor to consider when choosing a weapon; however, they will sometimes pause before pouncing.
 * Engage at a distance if possible; if they pounce you, Leon will sustain massive damage, as the Colmillos tries to rip out his jugular vein.
 * A rocket launcher will also kill them if the rocket's aim is dead-on.
 * After you encounter the first Colmillos, you can return to the lake and board the motorboat. You can use the harpoons to attack them, letting you conserve ammo, and you will also not receive any damage from them.
 * Use a rifle to see the Colmillos at a distance, for the frequent lightning will illuminate their outline.

Trivia

 * With their plagas exposed, Colmillos are similar in appearance to the infected dog in John Carpenter's The Thing.
 * These creatures are reminiscent of the Adjule of Africa, except that the Adjule's heads split open to reveal the tentacles.
 * The Fenrir from Resident Evil Revelations resembles the Colmillos and uses the same audio clips. It even uses the Colmillos' signature throat rip attack
 * If the player attempts to return from the lake onto the orginal shore, two Colmillos will attack Leon. If the player continues to the cliff where Leon glimpsed Del Lago, a single Comillos will strike.