Chain Chomps (occasionally called simply Chomps, alternatively formatted as Chain-Chomps, also called Chain Chompers[1][2]) are common enemies in the Mario franchise. They first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3. Chain Chomps bear a resemblance to a ball and chain and are typified by their large, tooth-filled maws and incessant biting. Shigeru Miyamoto's inspiration for the Chain Chomps was from a childhood experience: a dog once ran up to him and tried to bite him, but the dog's chain held it back.[3] As a result, Chain Chomps also possess canine qualities, such as barking, and are commonly used as guard dogs throughout the Mario series. Chain Chomps were originally created as an enemy for The Legend of Zelda series, but ended up being used for the Mario franchise first.[4] Many Chomps have been part of the Koopa Troop, though a couple of them have been shown to be independent. Despite their English name, not all Chain Chomps have chains, or even chomp; many later depictions of chainless Chain Chomps have them rolling around like boulders.