The Predator aliens are characterised by their trophy-hunting of other dangerous species for sport, including humans. Predators are large, sentient humanoid creatures who possess advanced technology such as active camouflage and energy weapons, and are capable of interstellar travel.
The
Predator(appearance,
biological makeup, relations) The Hunt (rite of passage, code of
honour, hunter classes) Female Society (reproduction, clans,
matriarchs) Communication (language,
text, word definitions)
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What the Movies tell us:
The creature known as the Predator is a bipedal humanoid creature standing
approximately 2.5 metres tall, with the average weight of a male
being between 250 and 350 pounds. Most of their bulk is pure
muscle with very little body fat, due to their predatory lifestyle
and diet. Skin color is generally a pasty yellow or mottled with
black spots, and their eye color is similarly yellow or green.
On their head the Predator have what appears to be the equivalent
of human hair, resembling long black dreadlocks.
While the Predator's body may seem humanoid
in general, this cannot be said for its face - having been described
as a "mutated crab" in appearance, the Predator possess
very distinct facial features. The most prominent of these are
four mandibles which protrude from, and surround, a smallish
mouth filled with sharp teeth. These mandibles are used for communicating,
much like a cat uses its tail to communicate its mood - although
Predator also have a verbal language (consisting of growls, clicks
and chirps), and are capable of mimicking other verbal languages
to a degree.
Biologically, Predators are much stronger
and faster than an average human, and possess lightning quick
reflexes and dexterity. Their blood is green with a phosphoresent
quality which may have properties that protect them against
the caustic effects of their favorite prey's blood. As far as
sensory perceptions, it is believed that they are similar (but superior) to
humans - and it is also a common practice for Predators to employ
technology to further heighten their senses. And for environment, it
appears that the Predators prefer hot and humid conditions with an
atmosphere rich in nitrogen, no doubt due to evolution on their planet of origin.
What the Comics and Books tell us:
Predators are known as 'Yautja' in their own language. They have also been referred to as 'Hish', although this may be the name of a certain clan (or even breed) of Yautja. As for their biology, Yautja lifespan is many decades; sometimes as long as 300 years.
This longevity suggests that sons live with their mothers for many of these
years, as it would take longer for them to mature and fend for themselves.
Daughters probably stay with their mothers, to eventually raise their
own children and maintain Clan dominance. Individual females
would probably birth every few decades and be very particular
about the father, but keep no permanent pairing bonds. This would lead
to very high competition amongst males.
Males probably live in packs of generally unrelated
males. In this atmosphere of high competition for breeding rights,
there are many males who never get to breed. These frustrated
males may turn on their subordinates. But the males who breed
have proven themselves by hunting dangerous prey and gaining
many impressive trophies. Another bonus is the admiration of
their clan brothers - males hunt for status. However the social structure of the Yautja is not completely understood and they may well be a very civilised race, despite the common belief.
Predator culture in general is based on the concept of
The Hunt. Whereas humans on earth were agrarian, the Predators never
stayed in just one place. Their culture revolves around the concept of hunting
and stalking prey. Very similar to a pack mentality, the strongest
and most efficient member of the Clan is the leader. This alpha
male controls the actions of the group.
The Predators appear to value other predatory
species as the most challenging targets - this would also explain
their preference for hunting humans, another highly successful
predatory species. As a rite of passage into adulthood, each
young male Predator trained for the hunt (UNBLOODED class)
must hunt and kill his first 'ultimate prey' -- these creatures are commonly known to humans as Xenomorphs or Aliens.
Failure in the Trial means death,
while success means the Unblooded Predator is marked on the forehead
with the acidic blood of a Xenomorph, making them YOUNG BLOOD
class. This mark is both a symbol of respect, and a sign of membership of a certain Clan - each mark is unique to a particular Clan, and used only by this group. This symbol may be used to mark and identify a Clan spacecraft as well as ceremonial items, and is usually inscribed on the hunter's helmet in addition to adorning the Young Blood's forehead. Hunters who have held this title for an acceptable length
of time are known simply as BLOODED hunters. Young Bloods
are full of ambition and pride once they have collected their
first trophy - the skull of their kill.
While they may seem
ruthless or brutal, the Predator warrior's behavior is actually
controlled by a code of ethics. This code appears similar to
human warriors codes such as bushido and chivalry in that it
promotes bravery, martial skill, and loyalty to the pack. Most
Predator will not hunt or attack a creature it considers "weak"
or unthreatening. When the Predator encounter their prey's females
or young, they often spare them, considering it dishonourable
to shed the blood of those who cannot defend themselves.
The Predator WARRIOR class are those
who adhere to these beliefs and codes. The Warriors become solo
hunters that use their high technology and travel the universe
to find honourable hunting.
When a member of another species shows a great
honour, there has been a mutual respect - but a Warrior would
consider this a worthy trophy. The Predator ELDER class
are more reasonable. Elders are the greatest Predator that have
ever lived - having survived a thousand hunts - and they consider
honoured fighters of other species as respected as their own
kin. Elders have often let warriors of other species live after
they have proven themselves honoured warriors. This usually only
occurs if the subject has killed a Predator or fought alongside
in battle. There is also a common practice in these cases to
maintain honour, by exchange of trophies on both sides.
What the Comics and Books
tell us:
There has been a
story of a human living in a Yautja community. This came
from her fighting alongside an Yautja Elder in a hunt. When he
died, the human was accepted by the obvious endorsement of a
late elder. She was made a Young Blood class, and therefore,
became accepted as an equal.
On the other end of the scale are the BAD
BLOOD of the Yautja - those who have committed crimes such
as murder, dishonourable hunting or failure. If found to have
brought dishonour, and the Yautja flees rather than accept punishment,
there can be no forgiveness. HONOURED class Yautja (those
who have earned more kills than the average hunter, and are skilled
in all ways) and ARBITRATORS (Yautja law enforcement,
mainly consisting of Elders who are bored with the hunt) are
allowed to eliminate the outcasts on sight. Bad Bloods are never
accepted back and travel aimlessly. Some are evil, hunting and
slaying anything alive - even other Yautja.
It is a common belief that Female Yautja are similar in appearance to
males, but are overall larger and in many cases, stronger. Presumably
all newborn and infant Yautja, or pups, would begin life at the
same size - and with age would grow into their gender's size
and shape. However, very little information is obtainable on
the females actual appearance.
It is assumed that Yautja would be attracted
to each other enough to initiate sexual relations. All senses
are connected to sexual attraction, but the primitive sense of
smell is most likely. Yautja can smell the musks of other Yautja,
and particularly the "child-bearers musk", which would
suggest that females are sexually motivated only during a specific
time in their hormonal cycle. Although, human females are permanently
in heat, which means they can be sexually motivated at any time
- and with the Yautja lifestyle, a male could die on any hunt,
so females might need to be able to breed at any moment also.
Not much is known about the actual breeding
period. It is assumed only one female in a pack becomes pregnant,
usually the dominant female, but sometimes two or more females
may breed. In other mammals, including humans, copulation occcurs
in a stereotypical way, with one set of female postures and movements
and a different set for the males - the only limit is imagination.
Considering how ritualistic the Yautja are, this could be how
they copulate.
After conception and birth, daughters would
stay with their mothers in the protected environment, to raise
their own children and maintain dominance over their clan's territory.
Mothers during this time would teach their pups to fight and
survive. They are vicious and relentless in the protection of
their children, who they keep safe and hunt for.
Females can also hunt for trophies, but it
is most likely for different reasons than the males. Dominance
may certainly be a factor - but perhaps it is to show their ability
to protect their territory, and their own and their sisters children,
from enemy female clans.
A female clan would be made of many generations
of daughters, mothers, and grandmothers. It would be easy to
presume that such a clan would be led by a single matriarch.
Since females rule over their territory and generally run clan
affairs, the Yautja would most likely have a matriarchal society.
During the hunt, Predators employ a silent system
of gestures to communicate with each other. This body language
is very simple and only capable of relating simple messages or
ideas. Pushing another's shoulder one handed is a challenge,
but shaking a shoulder is a greeting.
While they don't always communicate using
verbal commands, the Predators create different types of basic animalistic
sounds. These sounds can range from a growl (which serves as
a warning or a sign of amusement) to a roar of fury. A hissing
noise translates as either a warning, anger, or surprise; and
a short bark can mean anger, outrage, or a command. The trademark
Predator clicking growl, rumbled within the throat, can mean either
pleasure or curiosity - and a clattering, trilling sound is the
equivalent of Predator laughter.
The head cocked to the side means curiosity
or regard, but head and eyes lowered is a sign of submission.
As mentioned previously, the mandibles are often used as body
language. The lower mandibles spread means aggression, the mandibles
flared is a sign of anger, and the back arched and mandibles
flared is pure rage.
What the Comics and Books tell us:
The Yautja also have a complex verbal and
written language. The following are Yautja words and their (rough)
english translation.
"Learn the gifts of
all sights, or finish in the dance of the fallen gods"
Thwei
Blood
Tjau'ke
Packed dirt or dust, type
of rock
Tyioe-ti
Escape Pod
U'sl-kwe
"Final Rest"
(death)
Ui'stbi
Geography
Yautja
Predator species
Yeyinde
"Brave One"
Z'skvy-de
Birth of xenomorph from
host, chestburster eruptive phase
Zabin
Type of insect
Zazin
Completely centred, within
ones self
And while not known to be 100% accurate, the image
to the right is supposedly a translation of the Yautja alphabet.
It is not known if the Yautja read from left to right or vertical,
or even if they use any kind of punctuation.
The most obvious use of this written language
is seen on the Yautja hunter's wrist console.
Weapons - Find out about what weapons and
tools these Hunters use Spacecraft - Explains how Predators travel,
and how they create hunting grounds Alien
Host (external site) - One of the Predator's most important and prized trophies Movies - If you haven't seen the movies,
you should see where Predators originated
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Last modified 20th February 2011. Best viewed at a screen resolution 1024x768 or higher.
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What the Movies tell us:
What the Comics and Books tell us:
What the Movies tell us:
Failure in the Trial means death,
while success means the Unblooded Predator is marked on the forehead
with the acidic blood of a Xenomorph, making them YOUNG BLOOD
class. This mark is both a symbol of respect, and a sign of membership of a certain Clan - each mark is unique to a particular Clan, and used only by this group. This symbol may be used to mark and identify a Clan spacecraft as well as ceremonial items, and is usually inscribed on the hunter's helmet in addition to adorning the Young Blood's forehead. Hunters who have held this title for an acceptable length
of time are known simply as BLOODED hunters. Young Bloods
are full of ambition and pride once they have collected their
first trophy - the skull of their kill.
While they may seem
ruthless or brutal, the Predator warrior's behavior is actually
controlled by a code of ethics. This code appears similar to
human warriors codes such as bushido and chivalry in that it
promotes bravery, martial skill, and loyalty to the pack. Most
Predator will not hunt or attack a creature it considers "weak"
or unthreatening. When the Predator encounter their prey's females
or young, they often spare them, considering it dishonourable
to shed the blood of those who cannot defend themselves.
What the Comics and Books
tell us:
What the Comics and Books tell us:
And while not known to be 100% accurate, the image
to the right is supposedly a translation of the Yautja alphabet.
It is not known if the Yautja read from left to right or vertical,
or even if they use any kind of punctuation.