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The creature known as the Predator, or Yautja in its own language, is a bipedal humanoid creature standing approximately 2.5 meters tall. While the yautja's body may be humanoid in appearance, this cannot be said for its face. Having been described as having a face like a "mutated crab", the yautja possess a very distinct look. The most prominent feature of this look 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. The yautja also have a verbal language of clicks and chirps and are capable of mimicking other verbal languages to a degree. On their head, the yautja have course bristly "hair" which is twisted into dreadlocks. An average yautja weighs between 250-350 lb., most of this being pure muscle. The yautja have very little body fat due to their predatory lifestyle and diet.
Skin color is generally a pasty yellow mottled with black spots. Eye color is green or yellow. The yautja are much stronger and faster than an average human. They possess lightning quick reflexes and their dexterity surpasses that of man. Their blood is green with a phosphoresent quality which has 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 to humans, however, it is a common practice for yautja to employ technology to heighten their senses.
Yautja society is based on the concept of The Hunt. Whereas humans on earth were agrarian, the yautja never settled down. 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 group is the leader. This alpha male controls the actions of the group. So far, only males seem to participate in hunts. As a rite of passage into adulthood, each male yautja must hunt and kill his first kainde amedha, or "hard meat". These hard meats are commonly known to humans as Aliens (see Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien: Resurrection). Apparently the yautja and aliens have a connected evolution and the yautja consider them to be the ultimate prey. Yautja 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. The yautja are very fond of trophies, skulls being the most sought after.
The yautja warrior's behavior is controlled by a code of ethics. This code appears similar to human warriors codes such as bushido and chivalry in that it promoted bravery, martial skill, and loyalty to the pack. Most yautja will not hunt or attack a creature it considers "weak" or unthreatening. When the yautja encounter the females or young of their prey, they often spare them, considering it dishonorable to shed the blood of those who cannot defend themselves.
During the hunt, yautja employ a silent system of hand
gestures to communicate with each other. This "sign language" is very
simple and only capable of relating simple messages or ideas. The yautja also
have a complex verbal and written language. kehrite - Training hall, dojo |
