Super Mario Kart/Hazards

Cheep Cheeps
These bouncing fish are only found on Koopa Beach courses. If you drive into one your kart will spin out, just like when you hit a banana skin. They are often found near deep water to try and get you to slide into it.

Deep Water
Deep water can be identified easily as it is dark blue, as opposed to the light blue water that you can drive through. If you fall into deep water, you will have to be fished out by Lakitu, the track marshall, and he will place you back on track. You will lose quite a lot of time if this happens and Lakitu will also take 2 coins from you as a penalty. Deep water can be found on Donut Plains, Koopa Beach and Vanilla Lake courses.

Gophers
Gophers jump out of the ground at set times and if you drive into one while it is mid-air it will stick to your face. This will slow down your kart and make driving more difficult. You can press L or R rapidly to get them out you as quickly as possible. Gophers only appear on Donut Plains circuits.

Gravel
Gravel patches are usually found on the outside edge of a bend. If you drive over one you will lose grip on the track and you will also be slowed down. These gravel patches are found on most types of course.

Lava
Lava is similar to deep water; when you fall into it you lose a lot of time and Lakitu will charge you 2 coins for fishing you out. Lava is a hazard only found on Bowser Castle circuits and it borders the entire racetrack. There are also holes and gaps dotted around the track that are filled with lava.

Pipes
If you hit a pipe head-on you will come to a complete stop so try to avoid them at all costs. If you just clip the side of a pipe it will slow you down but not stop you completely. Pipes can be found on Mario Circuit, Donut Plains and Vanilla Lake courses.

Piranha Plants
You will probably recognise these from just about every Mario platform game. They are big red plants with teeth and they occur only on Choco Island courses. If you hit one, you will spin out as if you had hit a banana skin.

The Abyss
Certain courses feature gaps in the track, where you can drive into an abyss of nothingness! Some of these are intended to be jumped and have jump bars across them, others are just there as hazards for you to fall down. If you fall into one of these gaps it's just like driving into deep water; Lakitu will come and get you with his fishing rod, taking his usually fare of 2 coins. Gaps are found only on Ghost Valley courses and on Rainbow Road (which is effectively a floating track with a huge abyss all around it.

Thwomps
These enemies rise and fall at certain times. When a thwomp is in the air you can drive under him, but if you time it wrong he will squash you flat. If you drive into one you come to complete stop, just like hitting a pipe. Thwomps are found only on Bowser Castle courses and on Rainbow Road.