The Mind-control Helmets or Mind-control Skull Caps are inventions built by Zach Varmitech. They are designed to control the minds of animals to make them perform certain tasks. They made their first appearance in the Season 1 episode "Aardvark Town".
Information[]
Although the mind-control helmets have a variety of different iterations, they are all designed to be fit onto an animal to put their minds under Zach's control. The device comes in two main parts: a headpiece that does the mind-controlling, and a robotic vest that possibly aids with controlling the animal's movement. Their color varies from light to dark gray. Some versions also have a red letter V included somewhere on the design, the insignia for Varmitech Industries.
Mind-controlled walruses being monitored by Zachbots
The mind-controlled animals can be controlled via remote and voice activation. If the remote were to break, the vest and helmet will fall off and the animal will no longer be under Zach's control. A spherical tether beam (similar in appearance to the Pose Beam) was also used to manipulate the walruses in "Mystery of the Weird Looking Walrus". The helmets don't work on humans, as revealed in the same episode when they were put on Chris and Martin after being mistaken for walruses; Chris said they didn't work because the skull caps were only programmed to work on walrus brains.
Zach often has his mind-controlled animals participate in his evil schemes, such as having them collect valuable resources for him to make money off of, although his objective may be as simple as to have one dig him a swimming pool. In some cases, however, Zach's intent is to sell the animals themselves. Before he can get away with his objective, the Wild Kratts are there to put a stop to his plans and bring the animals back home.
This particular device isn't Zach's only use of mind-control technology. Other examples include the Rhino-dozers, Gila Monster Power Wrenches, Robber-bots, and Runnerbot.
Background[]
"Aardvark Town"[]
A mind-controlled aardvark was used to dig a pool for Zach.
"Mystery of the Weird Looking Walrus"[]
Mind-controlled walruses were used to slurp open clams to help Zach find the Arctic Pearl, a priceless gem that he was planning on giving to Donita as a present. This was also the first time that skull caps were put on humans, as he thought the Kratt brothers were actual walruses due to their Walrus Power Suits.
"Cheetah Racer"[]
A mind-controlled cheetah named Blur was used to power the ZTV, an all-terrain vehicle made by Zach to compete against the Cheetah Racer in a race across the African savannah. While scanning for Blur with Peregrine Falcon Powers, Martin discovered spots inside the machine. He pried open the ZTV's wheel to reveal a cheetah, which he soon found out to be Blur after removing her mind-control helmet. Chris used Gazelle Powers to lure her out of the ZTV and the vehicle came to a stop.
"Rocket Jaw: Rescuer of the Reef"[]
Mind-controlled parrotfish were used to harvest pieces of coral for Donita to use in her jewelry and for Zach to sell to paying customers.
"Panda Power Up!"[]
A mind-controlled giant panda was used as the base for the Panda Stuffo Bot 1.0.
"Choose Your Swordfish"[]
A mind-controlled mako shark was used to invent the Mako-Me-Rich 2000. It was programmed to catch all the fish in the ocean so everyone would have to buy their fish from Zach.
"The Real Ant Farm"[]
The headpiece and robotic vest used in "Aardvark Town" can be seen in the background of Zach's plane.
Appearances[]
Parrotfish variant
Jaguar variant (Jaguar-Bot)
Season 1[]
Season 2[]
Season 4[]
Season 5[]
Season 6[]
Games[]
- Amazin' Amazon Adventure (game)
Trivia[]
- In the episode "Polar Bears Don't Dance", Zach equipped a polar bear and walrus with titanium battleware that strongly resembled his mind-control technology. These animals were probably not under his influence.