Spore carrier

s are creatures in Fallout: New Vegas.

Background
They are found in Vault 22. Spore carriers are bipedal, anthropomorphic mutants. They are former humans that have been colonized by a species of fungus. They often hide in between plants and shrubs, making them hard to spot. Humans were turned into these carriers by parasitic spore plants which attached onto them and mutated them, and commandeered their victim's nervous system.

Found in a terminal on the Pest Control Level, regarding the fungus that has infected the spore carrier:

Characteristics
Spore carriers appear to have the same body structure as Trogs, despite their green-colored skin and spores on their backs.

They are quick and use melee attacks. If they are not killed quickly they explode and deal large amounts of damage, breaking limbs, and giving a large dose of radiation. When they are hiding in vegetation they are hard to spot and will not appear on your compass nor be targetable via VATS until they get up. However, you will see their health meter if you hit them with an area weapon like flamer/grenade/SMG, immediately informing you of their presence. Spore carriers are known for sneaking up on the player. Weapons that use fire (such as the Flamer) or weapons with large spreads (such as the Riot Shotgun) are extremely effective against them.

Upon detecting the player, the spore carrier will raise themselves out of the large growth of vegetation where they hide and will let off a growl in a similar manner to that of feral ghouls, but more ferocious and loud.

While a spore carrier is getting up, players in sneak mode who manually attack the spore carrier will get a Sneak Attack Critical. Combined with a decently powerful weapon, such preemptive strikes can often kill the spore carrier before it ever becomes a threat.

Appearances
Spore carriers appear in Fallout: New Vegas.