Ellie the Elephant's animal crate.
Animal Crates are a containment for Animal Buddies. Animal Crates were a signature feature in the Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land series and are first found in Jungle Hijinxs. Kongs are usually encouraged to release them (by jumping on the crate itself) to free the buddy and utilize them for the rest of the level. Some other Animal Buddies can be found in Animal Barrels.
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Summary
The buddy the Animal Crates hold depends on the symbol on the crate. A swordfish would indicate Enguarde, a snake would be Rattly, etc. Animal Crates are usually placed in areas where the buddies would be useful, for example in Gusty Glade, Rattly is used to safely cross gaps. A more general example would be practically every Enguarde crate, who eases underwater exploration by being able to defeat foes underwater.
The crates only appeared in the Donkey Kong Country trilogy. These crates were also exclusive to the first Donkey Kong Land, the latter games did not due to hardware and configuration limitations. Oddly, in Donkey Kong 64, they work as the Animal Barrels. The Animal Buddies can't be released and when a Kong jumps into it, he will transform into an Animal Buddy.
Gallery
Artworks
Sprites
 Items (excluding mostly Barrels) 
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|---|---|
| General | Animal Crate • Animal Token • (Giant) Banana (Bunch) • Crystal Coconut • Crystal Star • End of Stage Target • Extra Life Balloon • Headphones • Kannon • K-O-N-G Letters • Melon Crate • No Animal Sign • Rope • Stage Flag • Tire • Watermelon |
| Coins | Banana Coin • Bear Coin • Bonus Coin • DK Coin • Kremkoin • Kong Token • Nintendo Coin • Rareware Coin |
| Vehicles | Gyrocopter • Hot Air Balloon • Hover Craft • Mine Cart • Motor Boat • Rocket Barrel • Skull Cart • Toboggan • Turbo Ski |
| Weapons/ Projectiles |
Coconut Shooter • Crate • Feather Bow • Grape Shooter • Kannonball • Orange Grenade • Peanut Popgun • Pineapple Launcher • Treasure Chest • Watermelon Bomb |
| Shop | Banana Juice • DK Barrel (DD, DX, CK & FK Barrels) • Extra Life Balloon • Heart Boost • Map Key • Squawks the Parrot |
| Others | Banana Fairy • Banana Medal • Boss Key • Cog • Crest • Golden Banana • Golden Feather • Puzzle Piece • Rare Orb |
| Miscellaneous | Brothers Bear Items (Bowling Ball • Mirror) |
