»[4] fauna

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• The Arachnoid, Scorpiosista virosae, or "poisonous scorpion" is an animal from Pandora that resembles a scorpion.

• Extended thorax, six two-jointed legs (three on either side of thorax). Similar to Terran scorpion and other arachnids. Tail ends in twin stinger that delivers neurotoxin to prey.

• Rainforest vegetation. Range includes thin band of latitude in rainforest regions of Australis. Other species of arachnoids have been found in almost every region of Pandora, but are apparently absent from areas of intense vulcanism.

• Usual food source is small insects, but will prey upon small rodents and birds if opportunity arises.

• Venom is psychoactive and may induce hallucinations when used in conjunction with an alkaloid contained in an indigenous worm. Used in Na'vi rituals.

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• An Avatar (Na'vi name: unil-tìran-tokx translates "dream walk body") is a human mind transferred into a genetically engineered body of a human/Na'vi hybrid. Humans use this method because they cannot live on Pandora without breathing gear because the atmosphere is toxic to humans, containing lethal levels of carbon dioxide (>18%) and Hydrogen Sulfide (>1%). Avatars mainly serve as means for communication with the aboriginal population. The RDA has been trying to bridge the cultural gap and improve relations with the Na'vi. However, this task has been difficult due to communication and negotiation issues. Avatars, therefore, serve important roles as mediators by relaying cultural information and demands to each party in a peaceful manner. The Na'vi refer to them as "Dream Walkers" or "Demons in a false body."

• The Avatar Program scientists take DNA from a Na'vi and from a selected human volunteer. On Earth, in genetics labs, they create an in-vitro embryo, which is a genetic composite of the alien and human donor.

• The recombinant embryo is grown in-vitro during the flight to Pandora, which takes 3 years (ship-time/ 5 years Earth time). In that time it reaches near adult size, since the locals mature fast.

• When it is "born" (or more properly decanted) as a post-adolescent, it looks like a Na'vi, and can live comfortably on Pandora, but it has enough human neurophysiology to be used as an Avatar, or surrogate body. The human volunteer then becomes a Controller. Using Psionic Link technology, the human controller can remotely control the avatar body out in the wilds of Pandora. The controller receives all sensory input and provides all motor control to the body.

• Essentially, the Controller lives through the Avatar, and is completely unaware of his own body while linked. Each Avatar is genetically keyed to its respective human controller. By communicating with the locals through Avatars, which appear less alien to them, the RDA has had some success teaching them English and basic skills.

• The cost of each Avatar is roughly five billion dollars ($5,000,000,000).

• Some known differences between the Avatars and Na'vi is that the Na'vi have four digits (three fingers and a thumb) on their hands and feet, whereas the Avatars, due to the influence of human DNA, have five. They also have eyebrows, which the Na'vi lack. Avatars display slightly more human-like body structures than the Na'vi. This is especially apparent when comparing the build of Jake Sully to that of the male Na'vi of the Omaticaya Clan; Jake's body structure is sturdier than those of the more willowy Na'vi. Additionally, the eyes of an Avatar are usually smaller and more human-like in contrast to the large, lemur-like eyes of the Na'vi. The nose of the Avatar is also different; it has a more pronounced central ridge, much like the human nose. The Na'vi nose, however, is much flatter and cat-like.

• It is possible, using the unique biology of Pandora and assistance of the Na'vi, for a human to transfer his conscious mind permanently into an Avatar body. The method is first tried in an attempt to save the life of Avatar Program's lead scientist, Grace Augustine. However, the transfer fails due to her injuries. A second attempt is made on Jake Sully after he has led the Na'vi to victory against the RDA and driven them (with some exceptions) off Pandora. The movie concludes with his human body being exposed to the moon's atmosphere, and his Avatar body opening its eyes. This suggests that the transformation succeeds.

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• Direhorses (Na'vi name: Pa'li) are nectavores, vaguely horse-like in appearance, with very long necks and small heads. They are roughly the size of an elephant. They are native creatures of Pandora.

• When wild, the animals move together in a loose herd through the forests, feeding on tree bark and shrubs. Herds numbering in the dozens have been spotted from aircraft. But evidence (including scatological and plant impact) suggests that herds of more than one hundred animals are not uncommon.

• The direhorse (as with most over native creatures of Pandora) has two long, thin antennae (called a neural whip by humans) that emerge from either side of the top of the skull. These appendages have feathery tips covered in tiny cilia which undulate constantly, and seek out the antennae of other direhorses as they move near. Xenobiologists believe that the touch of antennas is for pleasure and affection, but also a means of transferring information about food sources and potential dangers; herds often move in unison shortly after touching antennae.

• The animals are easily startled, and, when all six legs are working in unison, can reach ninety-five kilometers per hour. The direhorse is larger by a third than the largest Terran draft horses such as the Shire, Clydesdale or the Percheron, and substantially larger than the biggest horse ever recorded on Earth. The Na'vi are excellent riders and the direhorse, with its six legs, is a swift, nimble mount that is well-adapted to the rugged Pandoran terrain. The Direhorse is a land omnivore that uses its long snout, as well as its long giraffe-like tongue, to feed on sap. It is able to capture some protein intake through insects trapped inside the sap. The favored food of the direhorse is the Pitcher Plant, which makes the Direhorse an effective pollinator.

• Many direhorses are tamed to aid their riders in the hunt and in battle. To bond with (or, in human terms, to “break”) a direhorse, a Na'vi must mount the animal and connect their neural queue to the animal's antennae (or neural whip). Once queue and antenna touch, the feathery tendrils automatically intertwine, almost as if possessed of free will. Although the exact motive force remains unknown, it is believed that the antennae may secrete a pheromone that evokes the unique intertwining.

• Once intertwined, the Na'vi rider can communicate motor commands instantly through the neural interface. The apparent lack of effort makes it seem as if the direhorse is an extension of the rider's own body. This frees up the Na'vi to use a bow and arrow during a hunt or battle. Unlike the Mountain Banshee, however, the neural link made between rider and direhorse does not lead to a life-long, exclusive bond between Na'vi and animal; although Na'vi have their favorite mounts, it is possible and permissible to ride another clan member's direhorse. The direhorse is a perfect mount to ride in the obstacle-strewn close quarters of a Pandoran forest; direhorse can turn on a dime, have excellent reaction times, and can leap large distances. Direhorses are the perfect warfare mount for the Na'vi, and played a crucial part in the showdown between the Na'vi and humans. Direhorses are an important part of many Clans, such as the Horse Clan of the Plains, and besides the Ikran, the animals serve as the main mode of transportation for the clan.

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• At first glance, this unique lizard appears to be little more than a dull, ruler-length reptile with few different features. When agitated, however, it unfurls like an antique Chinese fan and spins away to safety. In an instant, it morphs from dull to beautiful and then, just as rapidly, is once again a rather common-looking lizard.

• Understandably, the fan lizard is a favorite among the young Na'vi who will cherish this natural spectacle. At every opportunity, a Na'vi child will run through a field of ferns to disturb a group of resting fan lizards, and then marvel as the luminous magenta and purple discs float to the safety of a nearby branch. In the Pandoran twilight, this shimmering flight is strangely alien to the Na'vi.

• An ancient dance (usually performed by the children) celebrates the lizard. Two dancers stand side by side to create a rigid "spine." Another group of children run by and taunt the pair, at which point the entwined dancers "unfurl" into a circular shape and "float" in a zig-zag pattern through the other dancers. This is usually accomplished by hufwe, or wind instruments.

• Fan lizards are known for the large retractable disk on their back. This disk has a structure similar to that of the Da Vinci Helicopter. This magenta and purple membrane is bioluminescent and used for flight as well as to ward off any attackers with the brilliant light display and sudden increase in size. Note that when the Fan Lizard uses the appendage, the movement causes the body to spin with it.

• Nocturnal land omnivore that feeds on a tree sap and small insects. Often feeds in swamps. and eats human fat.

• The fan lizard is one of Grace Augustine's favorite animals on Pandora.

• Given Pandoran gravity and air density, the rapid opening of the lizard produces enough angular momentum to create lift, which startles predators and removes the fan lizard from danger simultaneously.

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• The Forest Banshee's (Na'vi Name: Ikranay) natural habitat is the Rainforest in both the upper and lower canopies as well as rookeries spread throughout cliffs and mesas of the mountainous regions of Pandora. The forest banshee has obsidian like teeth with a total of four wings (2 aft) and bones comprised of biologically produced carbon fiber composite much like its larger cousin, the Mountain Banshee. The Forest Banshee is an aerial carnivorous predator, usually feeding on smaller rainforest creatures such as the Stingbat and the Prolemuris.

• The Forest Banshee, although smaller than the Mountain Banshee, is still a feared predator but it lacks the size required to support a Na'vi rider. Forest banshees usually hunt alone, but can migrate in large flocks spread out in a wide, loose pattern (reasoning for this behaviour is not readily understood). Like a terran reef shark, the Forest Banshee may size up potential large prey, but seldom attacks anything close to its size, preferring smaller forest animals. A banshee will make an exception however, in the case of self-defense or when it finds large prey in distress. Furthermore, like terran reef sharks, banshees will congregate to feed, and if necessary will fight one another for their portion of food. The creature shares the same basic anatomical advantages as the Mountain Banshee: strong carbon fiber bones; specialized flight muscles and a stiff torso to support its wings; they can make subtle adjustments to their flight attitude and speed with an articulated tail top which can flare or remain tucked to decrease aerodynamic resistance.

• Bioluminescent markings are easily spotted by RDA Scorpion Gunship's during night patrols.

• The Forest Banshee is the favorite food source for Great Leonopteryx.

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• The Great Leonopteryx (Na'vi name: Toruk meaning "Last Shadow") is a species of airborne predatory animals native to Pandora. Scientifically, it is known as Leonopteryx rex - "flying king lion" (from the greek word λέων leon meaning lion, πτέρυξ pteryx meaning wing, and the latin word rex, meaning king).

• The fierce beauty and nobility of the Leonopteryx gave the species a central place in Na'vi lore and culture. It is celebrated in dance, song, and with elaborate totems that symbolize both the fear and respect given to the creature. Indeed, the Leonopteryx is crucial to the Na'vi's sense of destiny and interconnectedness. This creature's name in Na'vi translates roughly to "Last Shadow," as its preferred method of attack is from above. Therefore, the last thing its prey sees is its shadow. The Leonopteryx is carnivorous, feeding on mainly Mountain and Forest Banshees, and occasionally on Medusa. Under the rainforest canopy, the Leonopteryx will sometimes feed on ground animals such as Hexapede. It has no known threat from other creatures, and remains a solitary predator.

• The Leonopteryx is closely related to the banshee, with many similarities and differences. The Leonopteryx is primarily colored red and yellow, with black stripes and blue crests on the top of the head and under its lower jaw. The crest on its head is razor sharp and can be used to injure or disembowel prey, or cut vegetation obstructing flight. The Leonopteryx also has a large brain cavity, flexible, membranous, wings stretched taut over a carbon fiber bone structure, powerful talons for grasping prey and perching, twin tails for flight control, flow-through ventilation for high performance, and large hooked claws. The Leonopteryx has powerful jaws which can open at a wide angle, capable of cleaving a Mountain Banshee in two. Despite their superior binocular vision, they are unable to see directly above them, most likely due to the very pronounced brow ridges above their eyes. Being the alpha predator of Pandora, this is not a problem for the Leonopteryx, as it has no need to watch for attackers. However, this weakness is exploited by Jake Sully, who jumps from his Great Leonopteryx banshee from above the unaware Leonopteryx and tames the ferocious beast.

• The wingspan of the Leonopteryx is more than 25 meters. It's wings are composed of individual finned members that can separate to act as a slotted airfoil, or overlap and seal to form a solid surface. When separated they can rotate individually to induce or retard vortex formation. These finned members are not unlike the primary feathers of many Terran birds. The fiber composite bones help the animal to achieve flight through the dense Pandoran atmosphere, as with other flying animals of Pandora.

• The Leonopteryx are difficult to locate. This fact is exacerbated by the associated risk with trying to locate the resting place of such a massive, dangerous animal. However, some have been sighted in the Hallelujah Mountains. Members of the species mate for life and breed every two years. Primarily, the Great Leonopteryx travels alone, and occasionally in pairs. However, they have never been observed in a swarm, or other high concentration.

• Although Leonopteryx are wary of encountering their own kind, it is documented that a team of Avatars observed a battle between two Leonopteryx in the space of 3 hours. The battle ended when both fell to the forest floor from their mortal wounds and were believed to be dispatched by a large pack of Viperwolves.

• In the Na'vi culture, those who manage tsahaylu with the Great Leonopteryx are given the title Toruk Makto. This means "rider of the last shadow". Toruk Makto is, to the Na'vi, a mythical hero who, during times of great sorrow, leads the people to victory. Neytiri tells Jake that all Na'vi know the story of Toruk Makto, which would explain why the tribe is instantly reverent of Jake when he returns to the Omaticaya, bonded to a Great Leonopteryx. At the time of Jake Sully's introduction to the Omaticaya, no Na'vi had accomplished this for four generations, and only five have ever managed the feat. Jake becomes the sixth person to bond with the creature, re-earning him the respect and trust of the Omaticaya Clan, who previously viewed him as a traitor. After the final battle against the RDA, Jake releases the Leonopteryx back into the wild, as the mythical Toruk Makto is no longer needed.

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• The Hammerhead Titanothere (Na'vi name: Angtsìk) is approximately eleven meters long, which is almost twice the size of an elephant, and is essentially a six-legged, monstrous version of Earth's extinct group of animals called Titanotheres, hence the name.

• This massive, grazing creature travels in moderately large herds or packs of 10-20 animals. It is moderately social, but also extremely territorial and hierarchical. Constant threat displays, both visible and audible, are very common during the hammerhead titanothere's day. When angered (which happens easily and very often), a Titanothere will lower its head and charge at the perceived threat. The sheer momentum and ferocity of this display is usually enough to send any Pandoran creature running for cover, including mountain banshees and even viperwolf packs. When wanting to avoid battle, Hammerheads will raise a large "Fan" of brightly colored feathers on the top of it's head. This display, usually accompanied by a loud roar, is usually enough to send many animals running away.

• In the juvenile animal, the imposing hammerhead structure is formed of cartilage rather than bone. It can also bend to allow the animal to pass through the restricted spaces which an inexperienced young hammerhead might encounter. As it matures, the structure ossifies, and becomes solid bone. Fighting males will attempt to injure their opponents' eyes with the knobs at the ends of their hammers. The titanothere is highly territorial. Alpha males use their considerable momentum to spread their scent by smashing trees, thus warning other animals (including other Titanothere bulls) to steer clear.

• The Hammerhead Titanothere has poor distance vision, but makes up for this with acute hearing and an excellent sense of smell. Although massive, its six limbs allow it to pivot rapidly when it detects a threat from the side or rear. The animal's overlapping body plates and large, boney shoulder and back offer protection during battles with other Titanotheres or large creatures such as the Leonopteryx or Thanator.

• Hammerhead Titanotheres group together when attacked by a Thanator or Leonopteryx, which are their only known predators. Many Titanotheres charging at a percieved threat is even more intimidating than a single angry Titanothere. The Titanothere is a food source for the Na'vi.

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• The Hellfire Wasp is shaped much like a typical Earth wasp, but is similar in size to a sparrow. Although usually observed flying alone, swarms nearly the size of a robodozer have been sighted.

• It has an accurate organic targeting system that uses an olfactory organ to detect the biochemistry of any nearby creature. If it senses danger, its flight becomes agitated and erratic, and it will usually attack.

• If stung by this dual-stinger insect, the RDA personnel are commonly placed on medical leave. Although rarely lethal to humans, it is believed that an attack from a swarm of Hellfire Wasps would ultimately result in fatality.

• Wingspan of 13 centimeters, hard exoskeleton, compound eyes, bioluminescence, dual stinger, Height of 25 centimetres.

• Various wasp species have been found in Pandoran microclimates, including mountain valley stream beds and beaches. Hellfire Wasp builds small nests in fallen, rotting trees within rainforests and swamplands.

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• A hexapede (from the greek word έξι exi meaning six and the latin word pedis meaning foot) (Na'vi name: Yerik) land herbivore's habitat is ubiquitous in various biomes of Pandora, including rainforests, savanna, subarctic tundra, and mountainous regions.

• Hexapedes are some of the most beautiful and fragile creatures of Pandora. Although a prime target for any land or aerial predator, the rapid pace of their breeding keeps them from extinction. The hexapede is a food source for the Na'vi. It is one of the prime targets for Na'vi hunters.

• The hexapede resembles a Terran six-legged deer. They are dark blue herbivores, with white and yellow stripes.

• Their small, sloped skull is topped by a retractable, light-colored fan structure. This fan has an eye pattern on it similar to those found in Terran insects (such as the Luna Moth) that serves as a defence mechanism, for flashing it to predators makes the creatures seem bigger and more intimidating. Their eyes are wide-spaced and large, and they have a longish snout that ends in a small bifurcating jaw and bifurcated lip that can be retracted. Twin horn structures sheathe a thin, patterned membrane. A skin membrane 'beard' hangs under the jaw and runs the length of the neck.

• Twin lines of dark hairlike bristles run down the hexapede's back. Long, thin neck and legs ending in round, beveled hooves also characterise the creatures. The body is dark blue with white-yellow stripes. Sizes range up to 1.5 meters long, 2 meters in height.

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• Humans (also called Sky People by the Na'vi), are sentient, bipedal mammals species native to Earth. Humans have highly developed brains, similar to the Na'vi, although it is less complex, anatomically speaking. They have created very advanced technology over the centuries, and have recently begun exploring and harvesting the resources of the moon Pandora. Since humans cannot breathe the atmosphere of Pandora, they must rely on Exopacks to be on the moon. Only recently did the Avatar Program allow humans to transfer their consciousness into the clone Human/Na'vi hybrid, with the avatar, the consciousness of those thus transferred, can live comfortably on Pandora.

• The Resources Development Administration is the largest single non-governmental organization in human existence. The RDA is currently on Pandora in an effort to extract the highly valuable mineral known as Unobtainium. The security forces on Pandora under the command of Colonel Quaritch maintains order as well as protection against the wildlife on
Mining on Pandora

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• Medusae (Na'vi name: Fpxafaw or Lonataya) are large jellyfish-like creatures that live in the skies of Pandora.

• Drifting over the mountaintops of Pandora, these deadly and beautiful creatures look like the alien offspring of a Portuguese man-of-war and an adblimp. During mating season, regions of the southern continent of Australis are blackened by the shadow of the medusa swarm as it swirls in a dance of interlocking tentacles.

• The medusa's clear membranous sac, or "bell," is filled with hydrogen gas produced by the digestion of its prey. This gas allows the medusa to float above the canopy in search of potential victims.

• As a defense mechanism, the bell can pulse (much like an octopus) to give some directional control. It expels gas to descend and uses fluids from trim bladders to rise. For the most part, however, the creature is content to drift on the winds and hunt opportunistically.

• Given the limited mobility, they could become easy prey for other aerial predators, such as stingbats and banshees. But the medusa has little edible flesh. In addition, the unpleasant and potentially dangerous release of hydrogen gas is a natural deterrent to any predator; when the bell is punctured by tooth or claw, the medusa has been observed flying in erratic circles like a punctured balloon, confusing or startling the predator. For these reasons, they are rarely attacked. Its only consistent enemy is the Great Leonopteryx, which, if deprived of food, will on occasion attack and eat the foul-tasting medusa.

• Medusae are almost always hungry. Their translucent tentacles, which create a kind of curtain sweeping across the terrain, make a faint swishing sound that causes animals to scurry. The tentacles, which are three to eight centimeters in diameter, are replete with sensors that react instantly to the touch of an animal by curling into a viselike grip. The tentacles are also lined with electrolytes that can channel a current from an organ in the bell that produces electricity. The shock can be strong enough to stun a banshee or kill a full-grown human. Once in the grip of the tough, leathery appendages, it is unlikely that any creature will survive. The tentacles then lift the prey to the medusa's pulpy mouth.

• Clear membranous sac with attached tentacles. Medusae are filled with hydrogen. They lack the ability to steer well but can control some movements by squeezing their muscles. Their eyes (or more accurately, their optical sensors) are in the fleshy belt around the bottom of the bell. They provide the animal with a 360-degree view of the terrain beneath them. To look up, they must use extraordinary effort to reorient themselves.

• Medusae are massive, with tentacle length of up to 35 meters and bell diameter of up to 15. Their tentacles are nearly impossible to escape and the shock provided by the tentacles is enough to kill a human.

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• Banshees (Na'vi name: Ikran) are large flying animals native to Pandora.

• Bonding with a banshee and becoming an Ikran Makto is a dangerous and required rite of passage for Na'vi warriors in some clans, including the Omaticaya. Like the direhorse, a Na'vi can connect to a banshee through a neural interface that allows animal and rider to move with apparent effortlessness through the skies. Unlike the direhorse, however, the banshee will only bond with one Na'vi in its lifetime.

• The mountain banshee rookery is high in the Hallelujah Mountains. The largest rookery, which features the biggest specimens (and therefore the best to tame for riding), is in grottoes and outcrops on a sheer cliff face of Mons Veritatis, one of the largest of the floating mountains. It is here that the Na'vi come to select (and be selected by) a banshee for domestication. The bonded mountain banshees nest in the highest branches of Hometree, where they can be close at hand for their Na'vi rider.

• The mountain banshee (like its smaller cousin, the forest banshee) is highly adapted for flight. Specially developed muscles attached to the breastbone allow for the powerful strokes needed to achieve lift. Xenobiologists continue to study the aerodynamics of the banshee. It is believed that all of Pandora's flying animals take advantage of gravity that is lower than Earth's and the increased air density, (which requires more force to displace with the downward/rearward stroke of their wings, and thus gives the animal's body more impetus with each flap). The downside is that the denser air is harder to move through, and requires highly-efficient streamlining to achieve high flight speeds.

• Though reptilian in appearance, the banshee has a metabolism that is bird-like, and generates tremendous heat. The banshee has a complex cooling system to keep it from overheating during strenuous flying. The breathing system is central to this cooling. The air inlets, or spiracles, face forward at the front of the chest cavity, like the engine intakes of a jet fighter. Induction of air is controlled by a cartilaginous operculum, or flap-valve. The banshee lung is a bellows like structure, inflated by rib movement, but unlike the lungs of terrestrial animals, it has unidirectional flow, venting aft through gill-like slits.

• The banshee has two primary eyes which see in full color in roughly the same spectrum as human vision. Aft of the primary eyes are smaller secondary eyes, which can move independently or together with the primaries. They see in near infrared, for night hunting. They also are highly sensitive to motion, and act as an early warning system against attack from the rear. All four eyes are protected by lids and by transparent nictating membranes, much like an eagle eye. Forward of the primary eyes are lines of sensor pits. These are thought to provide airflow information in flight, like a pitot tube on an airplane. Another hypothesis is that they are sensitive to sound, and have an echolocation role, by sensing the reflected sound of the banshee shrieks.

• Like many of Pandora's creatures, the banshee also has a remarkably strong cell structure. This structure, which is a biologically produced carbon-fiber, makes their bones much lighter and stronger than any organic Terran equivalent. This in turn allows them to generate more power and lift with every flap, power which is necessary in the dense atmosphere of Pandora. The biochemistry of their muscle tissue allows them to generate nearly twice the force per pound of muscle as terrestrial flying animals such as bats and birds. This, again, generates tremendous metabolic heat. The hollow bones are connected to the bellows-like lung, and cooling air moves through the long bones of the fore and aft wings.

• They have only vestigial legs (unlike their cousin the Great Leonopteryx) which might suggest a life mainly in flight,only landing to feed their young. It also suggests that prey will be smaller airborne creatures or possibly creatures perched high in the trees as they could not grab on to something while in flight as seen in the Earthly eagles for instance.

• The wings have a claw or finger that is used to cling on to cliffs and to "walk" on flat ground,possibly by dragging the body forward or more likely maintaining center gravity over the wings. All and all,they do not seem near as agile on the ground as in the air.

• The Banshee and all flying creatures of Pandora are thought to have evolved from sea creatures due to the fact that they have fish-like jaw structures.

• Their leathery skin has a wide range of complex color schemes. Some Banshee have been seen which display only two colors. Since the color concentration is mainly on the back of the animals, it is assumed that the colors are for mating display. Both male and females display these complex patterns of colors.

• Each large fore-wing has three Primary Vanes at its tips. These form like the wings of a dragon fly, by the extrusion of a resin into the veins of a flexible membrane, which unfurls then cures in the sun into a rigid transparent vane. These vanes are replaced through molting. The purpose of the vanes is to generate lift and to provide fine control in flight. They are also quite robust structures designed to fold inward if the wingtips hit tree limbs or other obstacles.

• The banshee also has a deep flight keel protruding from the chest between the fore-wings. This keel acts as both a stabilizer, by virtue of its mass, and as an anchor allowing the flight muscles to generate additional leverage by anchoring them further from the tip.

• The smaller hind wing, or horizontal stabilizers, play a dual role in Banshee flight. In level flight, when large amounts of power are not required, the creature propels itself with the fore-wing and uses the "stabs" as a tail-plane, for altitude control. When more lift is needed, for take-off and climbing, or escape from an aerial predator such as the leonopteryx, the "stabs" becomes additional wings, flapping to provide propulsion. The stabs are capable of coordinated and uncoordinated operations. This provides both elevation and roll control to the creature just like 21st century fighter aircraft. The stabs are also likely the remnants of legs--due to their almost entirely airborne life, the rear limbs have evolved to a more useful role.

• The steering vane under the banshee’s lower jaw and the feather-like fan at the tip of the tail provide additional turning authority for high performance aerobatics. The banshee is highly maneuverable and can dive at speeds close to 140 knots.

• The banshees are social animals, and communicate frequently, generating quite a din at rookeries and other communal areas.

• Banshees were so named because of their piercing signature cry. This is only one of the banshee’s many vocalizations, and is thought to be a distant call defining territory.

• Other vocalizations include a warning hiss, which is part of an overall threat display posture, and a short sharp shriek which denotes stress or fear. There are also warning sounds, and other stress vocalizations, as well as more guttural vocalizations associated with social grooming and contentment.

• The banshee emits sound from its head, using the open mouth to focus the direction. However, it does not have a trachea in its neck, since it breathes directly into the chest cavity. It has instead, a tube running from the lungs up into the head which pumps air through the vocal organ, the syrinx. Chambers in the head amplify the sound before it is emitted into the mouth cavity for directional aiming. Some banshee vocalizations are emitted directly from the resonating cavity, when the mouth is closed.

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• The Prolemuris is a chattering, non-aggressive tree dweller that prefers the relative safety of the canopy to the dangers of the rainforest floor. Prolemuris are similar to apes on Earth.

• The prolemuris has lateral membranes that grow out of its sides and between its lower arm and thigh. When it leaps from tree to tree, the wind catches in the flaps and slows the animal's rate of fall. This allows the animal to fall for more than twelve meters without risk or injury. They have hollow bones, and the density of their musculature and flesh is also porous, which makes them much lighter than they appear (even the largest weigh less than six kilograms). Its ears are erect flaps that can move independently of one another in order to track sounds precisely. Its toes are webbed and have a vestigial thumb that helps the animal cling to branches. Its arms bifurcate below the humerus. It can reach up to 1 meter in height. It has large eyes giving it binocular vision, an apelike skull with a short snout, Small nostrils and jaw, needle sharp teeth adapted to cut through tough Pandoran flora.

• The prolemuris can use its four arms to move through the trees faster than an average man can run. It has near-perfect balance and its superb depth perception allows it to leap from branch to branch while selecting just the right handhold out of the forest mosaic (in this it resembles the Na'vi, who can also move through the rain forest canopy with tremendous agility).

• The prolemuris is an arboreal herbivore, but it is known to eat insects on occasion. Its predators include banshees (Forest and Mountain Banshees) and viperwolves.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > s l i n g e r

• The Slinger (Na'vi name: Lenay'ga), or strange terrible sloth, (scientific name: Acediacutus xenoterribili) is one of the oddest and most dangerous creatures yet discovered on Pandora. Growing in size up to 2.4 meters in height, this land predator/carnivore prefers a dense rainforest habitat and it's main food source is the Hexapede.

• When hunting, this creature moves slowly and silently through the forest ferns. When it senses prey, its muscular neck cocks back into striking position, then snaps forward. Its long, pointed, and winged head detaches and flies toward prey as a self-guiding venomous projectile. After the head embeds itself into its target, the dart then emits a series of high pitched squeals. These squeals act as signals to allow the body (now sightless) to find the detached head. While still separated, the partners consume the prey until sated. The neck bends down and a mesh of hairlike tendrils rejoin the head with the body.

• Biologists were stunned to discover that their body and its dart-like head are not a single creature with a singular method of hunting. Instead, the dart is actually the 'child' of the body and will stay in the symbiotic relationship with it's 'mother' until it is too large to perform its function as the dart. It then mates, detaches from the mother body and metamorphoses into a smaller, complete slinger with its own slinger dart head. At this time of youth, the slinger is a single color as different colorations are most likely created with subsequent growth. Left behind with out a dart offspring, the mother-body is unable to feed itself and inevitably dies. In this cycle of renewal, each generation becomes the grain for the previous generation.

• Na'vi hunters have been known to retrieve a dart that has been orphaned from its mother-body to use later as an effective weapon. Additionally, sap from a specific plant is also rubbed on skin that replicates the smell of a slinger to ward off would be Viperwolf attackers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > s t i ng b a t

• Stingbat, (scientific name: Scorpiobattus volansii), or 'Flying Scorpion bat' are small aerial predators with a highly developed navigation system and four eyes.

• The Stingbat's has translucent fangs and claws with predominant bioluminescence on the wing membrane and torso. One of the Stingbat's features is a Scorpion-like tail stinger and a small brain cavity. The Stingbat is an omnivore, feeding on both flora and fauna; prefering rodent sized creatures, lizards, and fruit. The Stingbat usually feeds alone but will swarm with other Stingbat's against larger prey such as small Hexapede.

• Despite the highly developed visual navigational system their small brain cavity and cerebral cortex inhibits their innate survival mechanisms. Despite a constant slaughter, the creatures continue to fly into the range of automated sentry guns that defend the Hell's Gate compound. Their diminished cerebral capacity makes them common prey for larger predators such as the Forest Banshee. But their prodigious mating habit ensures a steady population.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > s t u r m b e e s t

• The sturmbeest is one of the main sources of animal products for the Na'vi. As such, Sturmbeest are a primary organizing force in the clan culture. A number of different clans extol the virture of the animal in textiles, music, song, dance, and art.

• Sturmbeest are herd animals. They are extremely social and highly protective of their young. They are also territorial and will mass for attack against any would be predator. When the predator is too large or in too great a number, they will stampede, often breaking off into smaller packs for evasion.

• The male (or 'bull') is about 15 percent larger than the female, has a bigger ridge bone on its back, and also has a dramatic top horn that is used for defense against and contest with other bulls.

• Their brain-mass-to-body ratio is low and the creatures are slow to react and slow to stop reacting. The young, old, and lame are prey to the largest or fiercest predators, such as viperwolf packs, the thanator, and occasionally a large Great Leonopteryx.

• Massive buffalo like head each with six legs and indigo and orange coloring. Its skull features a single large bony hornlike extrusion above the eyes. Extrusions are reddish or orange, with striated slashes of blue.

• Land animals that feed on grass, shrubs, and various fungi. Hornlike jaw extension acts as plow for digging up roots, grubs and other subsurface food.

• In the project 880 script, every now and then a massive herd of Sturmbeest would migrate past the Na'vi home. Killing a Sturmbeest was a rite of passage. as well as providing food for a good while. The Na'vi, while mounted on Ikran, would use spears tipped with the heads of domesticated Slingers. Hitting a small gap in armor between the front shoulders with this spear would score a kill.

• Jake (josh in the script) misses his target but retrieves his spear and jams it into the chest of a stampeding Sturmbeaet to earn his place amongst the people.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > t a p i r u s

• The Tapirus is a pig like creature that lives on Pandora.

• On a planet with perfect predators the Tapirus fills the unfortunate role of perfect prey. It is the butt of many jokes of Hell's Gate personnel and shows up on the cafeteria menu.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > t e t r a p t e r o n

• The Tetrapteron is a class of flamingo-like bird that looks almost Earth like until one notices it has four wings, with two on either side. The birds also feature a unique twin tail used for balancing their body weight as they hunt or land.

• There are two types of Tetrapteron, aquatic and arboreal. Although similar in appearance, the aquatic birds have longer necks and legs for life in wetlands.

• The Tetrapteron have excellent long distance vision, and can detect movements as little as 1.25 centimeters from a height of 45 meters. They usually hunt in flocks.

• Of all the creatures on Pandora, these seem the most cooperative, both on the hunt and when socializing. While many predators on Pandora nurture their young, none take more care of their offspring with as much attention and duration as the Tetrapteron.

• Two pairs of wings, twin tail, Large beak and gullet with glassy teeth.

• Wingspan nearly 1.5 meters.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > t h a n a t o r

• The Thanator (Na'vi name: Palulukan) is a creature that lives on Pandora. Although many regions of the moon have yet to be explored, xenobiologists currently believe that it may be the apex land predator on Pandora. Reminiscent of a Terran panther, this enormous, powerful animal is unique in its ability to lord over its territory and strike fear into the largest and fiercest of Pandora's creatures. Even the Na'vi, who are renowned for their courage, are shaken by the approach of the creature. Also, it is not celebrated in dance or song by the Na'vi.

• Its musculature is pronounced and impressive, providing power for protracted runs and leaps. The speed of its neck and jaw strike is swift. In addition to conventional ripping and tearing, the Thanator can also deliver a lethal blow from its armored tail. The Thanator's senses are so highly developed that, depending on atmospheric conditions, it can detect prey up to thirteen kilometers away.

• The Thanator appears to hunt alone, and normally does not stray outside of its territory, which is believed to be roughly 300 square kilometers. It appears to hunt mainly at night, although seems to make an exception if hungry enough.

• Neytiri watches as Jake flees from a Thanator, and continues to observe him through the night. This leads to their first meeting after Neytiri saves Jake from a pack of viperwolves. Neytiri also bonds with a Thanator after her banshee is killed at the final battle between the RDA and Na'vi.

• The Thanator has ten sensory quills that sprout from sections of armor plating that encircle the rear of its skull. The function of the quills is still a mystery, but it has been hypothesized that they may be tied to an internal mechanism of prey location. The quills also flare up to produce a more menacing appearance.

• It also has an armored neck and back, a massive distensible jaw, and twenty-three centimeter long sharp teeth. The Thanator has burnished black skin. Its ten external sensory quills are colored red and yellow. The upper lip folds back for maximum tooth extension. The Na'vi, who are around 9 to 10 feet tall, could ride on the back of one of these beasts, making them approximately 20 feet long.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > v i p e r w o l f

• The Viperwolf (Na'vi name: Nantang) has six legs and a lean, powerful torso, and has evolved to travel swiftly over long distances in search of prey.

• Very few predators (the mountain banshee among them) will attempt an attack on a viperwolf, who nearly always move in packs that can mass into a highly cooperative hunting party within seconds.

• Its paws include opposable thumbs, allowing it to climb trees as well as stalk from the ground, thereby creating a three-dimensional hunting field. When stalking prey, the viperwolf is able to reduce its profile by hugging the ground or clinging to tree limbs. The Viperwolf's dark skin also provides camouflage. Thus hidden, a viperwolf can often approach within a few meters of unsuspecting prey, and then attack with frightening efficiency. (One xenobiologist describes this graceful, ominous movement as “liquid darkness.”)

• Only months after birth, a viperwolf pup is required to hunt on its own. However, the pups mature swiftly and grow to half the adult size by their sixth month. By then, they also have a full set of teeth and their jaw muscles are almost mature. Viperwolf young are playful, in much the same manner as that of terrestrial canid pups or cubs.

• Although vicious during combat and hunting, viperwolf mothers treat their pups in a gentle, loving way.

• A group of them attack Jake Sully when he gets lost in the jungle. He tries to fend them off with fire, to no avail. It is only a reluctant rescue by Neytiri that finally saves him. Others attack marines during the last part of the assault on the Tree of Souls

• The ratio of brain mass to body weight of the average adult viperwolf indicates a high order of mental processing, pattern recognition and communication skills.

• Their keen, intelligent green eyes can see as clearly at night as in the day. Their long distance vision is only moderate, but their depth perception is superb. Their sense of smell is second to only the thanator (based on the few creatures who have been measured to date). It is believed that a viperwolf can sense prey from more than eight kilometers away.

• Viperwolf jaws can exert four kilograms of pressure per square centimeter, enough to easily crush bone, or even stone.

• The pack appears to communicate information about the potential prey or predator with facial tics, paw gestures and audio cues.

• The viperwolf hunts in small groups, communicating with coyote-like barks and snakelike hissing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - > w o o d s p r i t e

• A Woodsprite (Na'vi name: Atokirina') is a seed of the Tree of Souls that lives on Pandora. These seeds, according to the Na'vi, are considered very pure and sacred spirits. Furthermore, these seeds are believed to be auspicious wheresoever they choose to rest. They are similar in appearance to small deep-sea jellyfish, but they float on the wind like dandelion seeds, possibly aided in this by the denser atmosphere on Pandora. Woodsprites also hold ritual importance. The Omaticaya Clan plants one of these seeds with the body of a deceased Na'vi, so the Na'vi's consciousness will become part of Eywa.

• Strangely, despite the Woodsprite's omnipresence, no other Trees of Souls appear in the movie. This may imply that the seeds are actually infertile or serve another purpose besides reproduction. This would make the Tree of Souls a truly unique entity, since its seeds could not be used to germinate another one in the scenario that original tree was destroyed, damaged, or captured.

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