The Predator aliens are a fictional extraterrestrial species In popular cultures, life forms —especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin, i.e. not coming from the Earth are referred to collectively as aliens featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterised by their trophy hunting Trophy hunting is the selective hunting of wild game animals. While parts of the slain animal may be kept as a hunting trophy or memorial , the carcass itself is usually used as food of other dangerous species for sport, including humans and their fictional counterparts, Aliens.

First introduced in 1987 as the main antagonist An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or an institution, who represents the opposition against which the protagonist(s) must contend. In other words, 'A person, or a group of people who oppose the main character, or the main characters.' In the classic style of story where in the action consists of a hero fighting a villain, the two of the film Predator Predator is a 1987 science fiction, action and horror film directed by John McTiernan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Kevin Peter Hall. The story follows an elite team on a mission to rescue hostages from a guerrilla group in Central America. Unknowingly, the group is hunted by an extraterrestrial lifeform, further members of the species were subsequently represented in a sequel, numerous novels, video games, comic books, and a crossover franchise. While a definitive name for the species is not given in the films, the names Yautja^[5] and Hish^[6] have been alternatively used in the expanded universe.

Created by brothers Jim and John Thomas, the Predators are depicted as large, sentient Sentience is the ability to feel or perceive subjectively. The term is used in philosophy as well as in science fiction and (occasionally) in the study of artificial intelligence. In each of these fields the term is used slightly differently. Advocates of animal rights argue that many animals are sentient in that they can feel pleasure and pain, humanoid A humanoid is a hybrid term from Latin humanus "human" and the Greek -oeides expressing likeness. The term was coined in the year of 1918 to refer to fossils considered close to human but not strictly human, including species now classified as Homo such as the Neanderthals creatures who possess advanced technology such as active camouflage and energy weapons, and are capable of interstellar travel Interstellar space travel is unmanned or manned travel between stars. The concept of interstellar travel in starships is a staple in science fiction. Interstellar travel is tremendously more difficult than interplanetary travel. Intergalactic travel, the travel between different galaxies, is even more difficult.

Concept and creation

Design

The Predator design is credited to special effects artist Stan Winston Stanley Winston was an American visual effects supervisor, make-up artist, and film director. He was best known for his work in the Terminator series, the Jurassic Park series, Aliens, the Predator series, Iron Man and Edward Scissorhands. He won a total of four Academy Awards for his work. While flying to Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters which make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which with Aliens Aliens is a 1986 science fiction/action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, and Bill Paxton. A sequel to the 1979 film Alien, Aliens is set fifty-seven years after the first film and is regarded by many film critics as a benchmark for the action and science fiction genres. In Aliens, Weaver' director James Cameron James Francis Cameron is a Canadian film director, producer and screenwriter. He has written and directed films as disparate as Aliens and Titanic. To date, his directorial efforts have grossed approximately US$1.1 billion domestically, unadjusted for inflation. After a string of landmark feature films, Cameron turned his focus to documentary, Winston, who had been hired to design the Predator, was doing concept art on the flight. Cameron saw what he was drawing and said, "I always wanted to see something with mandibles". Winston then included them in his designs.^[7] Stan Winston's studio created all of the physical effects for Predator Predator is a 1987 science fiction, action and horror film directed by John McTiernan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Kevin Peter Hall. The story follows an elite team on a mission to rescue hostages from a guerrilla group in Central America. Unknowingly, the group is hunted by an extraterrestrial lifeform and Predator 2, creating the body suit for actor Kevin Peter Hall and the mechanical facial effects. They were hired after attempts to create a convincing monster (including Jean-Claude Van Damme Jean-Claude Van Damme ) is a Belgian martial artist and actor who is best known for martial arts and action movies, the most successful being Bloodsport, Timecop and Universal Soldier. His Belgian background and his physique furnished him the nickname The Muscles from Brussels wearing a much different body suit) had failed. Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian American bodybuilder, actor, businessman, and politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of the state of California recommended Winston after his experience working on The Terminator The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction/action film directed and co-written by James Cameron. It features Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator, Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor and Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese. The film was followed by three sequels. The franchise has evolved to include video games and a television series.^[7]

The Predator was originally designed with a long neck, a dog The dog is a domesticated subspecies of the Gray Wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The domestic dog has been one of the most widely kept working and companion animals in human history. Amongst canine enthusiasts, the word "dog" may also mean the male of a-like head and a single eye. This design was abandoned when it became apparent that the jungle locations would make shooting the complex design too difficult.^[7] Originally, the studio contracted the makeup effects for the alien from Richard Edlund Richard Edlund, A.S.C. is a multi-Academy Award-winning US special effects cinematographer's Boss Film Creature Shop. However, problems filming the alien in Mexico resulted in the makeup effects responsibilities being given to Stan Winston Stanley Winston was an American visual effects supervisor, make-up artist, and film director. He was best known for his work in the Terminator series, the Jurassic Park series, Aliens, the Predator series, Iron Man and Edward Scissorhands. He won a total of four Academy Awards for his work. According to former Boss Films make-up supervisor Steve Johnson, the makeup failed because of an impractical design by McTiernan that included 12-inch length extensions that gave the Predator a backward bent satyr In Greek mythology, satyrs are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus — "satyresses" were a late invention of poets — that roamed the woods and mountains. In mythology they are often associated with sex drive and vase-painters often portrayed them with perpetual erections-leg. The design did not work in the jungle locations. After six weeks of shooting in the jungles of Palenque, Mexico, the production had to shut down so that Winston could make a new Predator. This took eight months and then filming resumed for five weeks, ending in February 1987.^[8]

Film portrayals

Jean-Claude Van Damme Jean-Claude Van Damme ) is a Belgian martial artist and actor who is best known for martial arts and action movies, the most successful being Bloodsport, Timecop and Universal Soldier. His Belgian background and his physique furnished him the nickname The Muscles from Brussels was originally cast as the Predator, the idea being that the physical action star would use his martial arts skills to make the Predator an agile, ninja The exact origin of the ninja is a matter of debate. It is known that ninja appeared in 14th century Japan and remained active from the Kamakura to the Edo period.[citation needed] The role of the ninja may have included sabotage, espionage, and scouting.[citation needed] Such actions may have taken place at the service of a feudal lord , or other-esque hunter. When compared to Schwarzenegger, Weathers, and Ventura, actors known for their bodybuilding regimes, it became apparent a more physically-imposing man was needed to make the creature appear threatening.^[7] Jesse Ventura's Jesse Ventura , also known as "The Body", "The Great", "The Star", "The Mind" and "The Governing Body", is an American politician, retired professional wrestler and color commentator, Navy UDT veteran, actor, and former radio and television talk show host. He is also a former co-holder of the AWA autobiography An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person also alleges that Van Damme intentionally injured a stunt man.^[9] Eventually, Van Damme was removed from the film and replaced by actor and mime artist Kevin Peter Hall.^[7] Hall, standing at an imposing 7 foot 2, had just finished work as a sasquatch Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is an alleged ape-like creature purportedly inhabiting forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid. Many believers in its existence contend that the same or similar creatures are found around the world under different regional in Harry and the Hendersons Harry and the Hendersons, a 1987 American film directed and produced by William Dear, and starring John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, Lainie Kazan and Don Ameche, is the tragi-comic story of a family's encounter with the cryptozoological creature Bigfoot. The film won an Academy Award for Makeup, and inspired a follow-up TV series, also called Harry.^[7]

Hall played the Predator in the first and second movies, having been in many suits before, including Harry and the Hendersons. He was trained in the art of mime and used many tribal dance moves in his performance, such as during the fight between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Predator at the end of the first movie. In Predator 2, according to a "making of" featurette, Danny Glover Chief Danny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is possibly best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise suggested the Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association team based in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers play their home games at Staples Center, which they share with their fellow NBA rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, and their sister team, the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. The Lakers are the current NBA Champions having beaten the Orlando to be the other Predators because Glover himself was a big fan. Hall persuaded some of the Lakers to play background Predators because they couldn't find anyone on short notice.^[2] Hall died not long after Predator 2 was released in theaters.

In Alien vs. Predator, Welsh The Welsh are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language. John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Celtic languages seem to have been spoken in Wales far longer. As with all ethnic actor Ian Whyte, a fan of the Predator comics and movies, took over as the man in the Predator suit, portraying the Predator dubbed "Scar" for most of the movie, and also the "Celtic" Predator during Celtic's fight with an Alien warrior.^[3] Whyte returned to portray the "Wolf" Predator in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is the 2007 science fiction film sequel to 2004's Alien vs. Predator. Filming began on September 25, 2006 in Vancouver with the Brothers Strause (Colin and Greg) directing the movie based on a screenplay by Shane Salerno. The film's lead roles are played by actors Steven Pasquale and Reiko Aylesworth.^[4]

Special and make-up effects

The Predator's blood is made from a combination of the liquid out of glow sticks mixed with K-Y Jelly K-Y Jelly is a water-based, water-soluble personal lubricant produced by Johnson & Johnson. According to the company, "The origins of the brand name 'K-Y' are unknown. Two popular myths are that it was created in Kentucky, hence K-Y', or that the letters represent the key ingredients used to make the lubricant. Neither of these is true. The mixture dries up quickly, so new batches have to be quickly made between takes. The technique is used in all 4 films featuring the Predator.

The camouflage effect was designed by R/Greenberg Associates, under the direction of Joel Hynek. The idea for the effect came in a dream, one of the Thomas brothers (who wrote the film) had, in which there was a chrome man who was inside a reflective sphere. The man blended in, perfectly camouflaged, reflecting from all directions and only visible when in motion. It took quite a while before they figured out how to do it, which was basically an image repeated in a pattern of ripples in the shape of the Predator's body. It proved very effective and was a new way of presenting an "invisible man." Before there was digital technology all of the camouflage was done optically using photo-chemical means. This meant that you would never get the same result twice from combining the pieces of film.

After the original movies, Amalgamated Dynamics took over from Stan Winston Studio in creating the props for the Predators in the Alien vs. Predator movie and a number of effects houses worked on the various other effects.

Film appearances

Predator Predator is a 1987 science fiction, action and horror film directed by John McTiernan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Kevin Peter Hall. The story follows an elite team on a mission to rescue hostages from a guerrilla group in Central America. Unknowingly, the group is hunted by an extraterrestrial lifeform

First appearing in the 1987 film, Predator, the titular character lands on Val Verde via starship A starship is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel. It begins hunting down a United States Army Special Forces The United States Army Special Forces, also known as Green Berets, is a Special Operations Force of the United States Army tasked with five primary missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism. The first two emphasize language, cultural, and training skills in working with group, stationed there to rescue presidential cabinet ministers kidnapped by guerrilla Guerrilla warfare is the unconventional warfare and combat in which a small group of combatants use mobile tactics in the form of ambushes and raids to combat a larger and less mobile formal army forces. The Predator dispatches the soldiers one by one with a vast array of weaponry until Major Dutch Schaeffer (Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian American bodybuilder, actor, businessman, and politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of the state of California) is the last one alive. The two later engage each other in single combat, which is at first dominated by the Predator, until Dutch sets a trap which seriously injures the creature. The dying Predator commits suicide and tries to take Dutch with it by activating a self-destruct device, though ultimately failing to eliminate its opponent.^[1]

Predator 2

Appearing later in the 1990 sequel set 10 years after the events of the first film, a new Predator sets its sights on Los Angeles Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest in the United States. Often abbreviated as L.A. and nicknamed The City of Angels, Los Angeles has an estimated population of 3.8 million and spans over 498.3 square miles (1,290.6 km2) in Southern California. Additionally, the Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to, attracted by the summer heat and drug wars between Jamaican and Colombian druglords, as well as the L.A.P.D. attempting to fight both gangs. After eliminating the leaders of both gangs, the Predator begins actively targeting the L.A.P.D. officers attempting to investigate its handiwork, specifically Lieutenant Michael Harrigan (Danny Glover Chief Danny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is possibly best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise) and his three partners (Ruben Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso and Bill Paxton William "Bill" Paxton is an American actor and film director. He gained in popularity after his starring roles in the movies Apollo 13 and Twister. He is currently working on the third season of the HBO series Big Love which premiered on January 18, 2009), as well as a federal agency group led by Peter Keyes (Gary Busey) bent on capturing it. The Predator is ultimately confronted by Harrigan in its own ship and killed when Harrigan uses its own weapons against it. The Predator's clan-mates carry away the dead Predator's body and give Harrigan a flintlock Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. The term may also apply to the mechanism itself. Introduced about 1630, the flintlock rapidly replaced earlier firearm-ignition technologies, such as the matchlock and wheellock mechanisms. It continued to be in common use for over two centuries, replaced by percussion dating from 1715 as a sign of respect. The film also makes a reference to the Alien The Alien film series is a science fiction horror film franchise, focusing on Lieutenant Ellen Ripley and her battle with an extraterrestrial lifeform, commonly referred as "the Alien". Produced by 20th Century Fox, the series started with the 1979 film Alien, which led to three movie sequels, plus numerous books, comics and video game films, as shown in the Predators trophy room, which has an Alien skull.^[2]

Alien vs. Predator

In 2004 a Predator ship arrives in Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the largest of the terrestrial planets in the Solar System in terms of diameter, mass and density. It is also referred to as the World, Blue Planet,[note 3] and Terra.[note 4] orbit to draw humans to an ancient Predator training ground on Bouvetøya Bouvet Island is an uninhabited sub-antarctic volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). It is a dependent territory (Norwegian: biland) of Norway and is not subject to the Antarctic Treaty. It is the most remote island in the world, an island about one thousand miles north of Antarctica Antarctica (pronounced /ænˈtɑrktɪkə/ , is Earth's southernmost continent, underlying the South Pole. It is situated in the Antarctic region of the southern hemisphere, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. At 14.0 million km² (5.4 million sq mi), it is the fifth-largest continent in area. A buried pyramid A pyramid is a building where the outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a point. The base of a pyramid is usually trilateral or quadrilateral , meaning that a pyramid usually has four or five faces. A pyramid's design, with the majority of the weight closer to the ground, means that less material higher up on the pyramid will be pushing which gives off a "heat bloom" attracts humans led by Charles Bishop Weyland (Lance Henriksen Lance James Henriksen is an American actor, painter, and potter), who unknowingly activates an alien egg production line. Three Predator hunter initiates enter the structure, killing all humans in their way with the intention of hunting the newly-formed alien warriors. Two Predators die in the ensuing battle, while the third allies itself with the lone surviving human, Alexa Woods (Sanaa Lathan Sanaa McCoy Lathan is an American actress. She has starred in box office hits such as: Love & Basketball, Alien vs. Predator, Something New, and The Family That Preys) in order to battle the escaped Queen Alien. The Queen is defeated, but not before she fatally wounds the last Predator. The orbiting Predator ship uncloaks and the crew retrieve the fallen Predator. A Predator elder gives Alexa a spear as a sign of respect, and then departs. Once in orbit it is revealed that a chestburster was in the corpse, though this specimen has Predator mandibles.^[3]

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is the 2007 science fiction film sequel to 2004's Alien vs. Predator. Filming began on September 25, 2006 in Vancouver with the Brothers Strause (Colin and Greg) directing the movie based on a screenplay by Shane Salerno. The film's lead roles are played by actors Steven Pasquale and Reiko Aylesworth

Set immediately after the previous film, the Predalien hybrid on board the Predator scout ship, which just separated from the mothership from the previous film, has grown to full adult size and sets about killing the Predators on-board the ship, causing it to crash in Gunnison, Colorado The historic City of Gunnison is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. As of the U.S. Census 2000, the city had a total population of 5,409. The city was named in honor of John W. Gunnison, a United States Army officer who surveyed for the transcontinental railroad. The last survivor activates a distress beacon with a video of the Predalien, which is received by a veteran A war veteran is a person who has or is working in the armed forces, or a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation or office Predator who sets off towards Earth. When it arrives, the Predator tracks the Aliens into a section of the sewer below town. He removes evidence of their presence as he goes by using a corrosive blue liquid. It uses a laser net to try to contain the creatures, but when its dual plasma cannons misfire in a fight, the Aliens escape into the town above. The Predator fashions a plasma pistol from its remaining plasma caster and hunts Aliens all across town (accidentally cutting the power to the town in the process). During a confrontation with human survivors, the Predator loses its plasma pistol. The Predator then fights the Predalien singlehandedly, though the battle is interrupted when the US military drops a tactical nuclear bomb on the town, incinerating both combatants as well as the few remaining humans in the city. The salvaged plasma pistol is then taken to Ms. Yutani.^[4]

Description

Characteristics

Predators are physically distinguished from humans by their greater height, arthropod-like mandibles and long, hair-like appendages on their heads. Their bodies are resilient to damage, capable of recovering from multiple gunshot wounds^[1][2] and radiation doses which would be fatal to humans.^[2] They are much stronger than humans, having been portrayed as being easily capable of outmatching a conditioned adult human male^[1]. They are also skilled climbers, and will readily move through trees^[1] or across rooftops^[2] in pursuit of prey. Though capable of surviving exposed in Antarctic temperatures for an extended period of time^[3], it is implied that Predators have a preference for hot equatorial climates.^[1][2] Their blood is luminescent phosphor green in color. Their vision operates mainly in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; they can easily detect heat differentials in their surroundings but are unable to easily distinguish among objects of the same relative temperature.^[1] A Predator's hunting helmet increases its ability to see in a variety of spectrums, ranging from the low infrared to the high ultraviolet, and also filters the ambient heat from the area, allowing them to see things with greater clarity and detail.^[2] They are capable of breathing Earth's atmosphere.^[1] Their dietary habits are mentioned in Predator 2, where it is revealed that the creature regularly visits a slaughterhouse every two days to feed on the stored meat there.^[2]

Throughout their film appearances, Predators have undergone numerous design variations. In Predator 2, the main Predator was designed to look more urban and hip than its predecessor. Design changes included tribal ornamentation on the forehead, which was made steeper and shallower, brighter skin colouration and a greater number of fangs.^[11] In Alien vs. Predator, the appearance of the Predators was redesigned to make them seem more heroic. Redesigns included a reduction in head and waist size, broader shoulders, a more muscular physique, piranha-like teeth on the upper jaw and dryer, less clammy skin to further differentiate them from the Aliens.^[12] In Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, the Predator was returned to the sleeker design concept prior to Alien vs. Predator.^[13]

Culture and history

Predator culture revolves around the hunting and stalking of dangerous lifeforms. After making a kill, Predators typically skin or decapitate the carcass, converting it into a trophy. Failure in a hunt results in the Predator involved committing an honorable suicide.^[1] It is often alluded to that the reason Predators hunt is not for sustenance or elimination of threats, but as entertainment, as they will only attack life forms that have the ability to provide them with a challenge.

Predators made contact with early human civilizations such as the Ancient Egyptians, Cambodians, and Aztecs, as well as a fictitious culture inhabiting what is now modern day Bouvetøya.^[3] Upon arriving on Earth, the Predators were worshipped as gods by humans, and they taught many of the civilizations how to build pyramids (an explanation as to why many of these different ancient societies had distinctly similar cultures and architecture), but in return expected sacrifices of humans for use as hosts for huntable Aliens. The Predators returned to Bouvetøya every century to consummate the bargain, until at one point in the ritual, the Aliens spread out of control, resulting in the Predators destroying the entire area of the infestation.^[3] Relations with humans deteriorated, with the Predators from that time on viewing humans as little more than another quarry to hunt.

Predators feature prominently in the folklore of certain cultures; some Latin American people refer to the species as, "El Diablo que hace trofeos de los hombres" (Spanish for "The Demon who makes trophies of men")^[1], while Jamaican superstition identifies Predators as demons from the spirit world.^[2] When hunting humans, Predators normally avoid certain individuals such as children and some adults if they are unarmed, though they will spare armed ones if they happen to be pregnant^[2] or sickly.^[3] A human who has managed to kill a Predator in single combat^[2] or has fought alongside one^[3] is usually spared by the deceased hunter's comrades and given a gift (often a rare or exotic weapon) as a sign of respect.^[3]

Predators have a deep respect for Aliens and consider them to be worthy as hunting trophies. Warrior Aliens are used to train and test young Predators by fatally weeding out the weaker initiates.^{[citation needed]} A learner's first successful Alien hunt is completed with the marking of his forehead with the acidic blood of his kill.^[3] Predators apparently keep Alien Queens in captivity in order to obtain an easily accessible supply of eggs.^[3] It is shown in a brief scene in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem that Predators have had prior contact with the Space Jockeys. This is confirmed in the film's DVD commentary.^[14]

Language

The language of the Predators is expressed in the films and other media through written patterns of dashes. These written symbols appear on the creatures' gauntlet displays, their helmets, architecture, and many other surfaces. Predators will mimic human language on occasion.^[1][2] Author Steve Perry designed a specific language set for the Aliens vs. Predator novel series.^[5]

Technology

Predator technology is unique in many aspects, not in the least due to its ornate, tribal appearance masking deadly, sophisticated weaponry. It is shown in Predator 2 that at least one Predator weapon uses a metal that does not correspond to the periodic table, and some weapons have been shown to be completely resistant to the effects of acidic blood belonging to Aliens. In addition, several of these tools make use of thermal imaging to track prey. The Predator's mask also houses a viewing system that allows the creature to see primarily in infrared. The Predator also makes use of a light-bending cloaking device. A flashback sequence in Alien versus Predator indicates that some aspects of their technology have been in use for millennia.

Expanded universe

In the Aliens vs. Predator novel series based on the Dark Horse Comics by David Bischoff, Steve and Stephani Perry, the Predators, known in the series as "Yautja", are depicted as living in a matriarchal clan-based society bearing similarities to a pack mentality, with the stronger and most skilled of the group being leader. The Predators are portrayed as sexually dimorphic mammals, with females being larger and stronger than males^[15] and sporting more prominent mammary glands (like human females).^[5] Both genders give off a strong musk to signify aggression, while females can also emit it when in estrus. This musk can be detected by other Predators and canids, though it is imperceptible to humans.^[5] Predators in the Perry novels are not monogamous, and it is not uncommon for veteran warriors to sire hundreds of offspring (known as sucklings) with multiple mates.^[5] It is also revealed that their blood has the capacity of partially neutralizing the acidity of Alien blood.^[5] Their religion is partially delved upon in the series, showing that they are polytheistic, and that their equivalent of the Grim Reaper is the so called "Black Warrior", who is seen as an eternal adversary who eventually wins all battles.^[5]

Though female Predators are occasionally referred to in Steve and Stephani Perry's novel series, one does not make an actual appearance until the graphic novel Aliens vs Predator: Deadliest of Species. The female's design however contradicts the descriptions given in the Perry novel series, as it superficially shows little distinction from males.^[16]

In Randy Stradley's graphic novel Aliens vs. Predator: War, it is revealed through the narration of the character Machiko Noguchi that Predators were responsible for the spread of Aliens throughout the galaxy, though the Predators themselves deny this, stating that their large interplanetary distribution is due to simultaneous convergent evolution.^[17]

In John Shirley's stand alone novel Predator: Forever Midnight, Predators, now referred to as "Hish", are shown to possess a gland located between their neck and collarbone which secretes powerful hormones into their bloodstream and which drives them to hyper-aggression. When this gland is over-stimulated, it sends the creatures into a frenzied rage, causing them to attempt killing any living thing in sight, including members of their own species. This "kill rage" can be contagious and spread from one Predator to another, driving them all to attack each other. The Predators as a species barely survived the wars provoked by their kill glands, and they have learned to control the gland's secretions with artificial hormone regulators.^[6]

In John Vance's graphic novel Predator Homeworld, it is revealed that Predators breathe 1% more oxygen, and 4% more nitrogen than humans, and that they are capable of adapting themselves to Earth's atmosphere for one week at the most if deprived of a breathing apparatus.^[18] In Ian Edginton and Alex Maleev's graphic novel Aliens vs. Predator: Eternal and the videogame Predator: Concrete Jungle, Predator flesh and blood, if consumed, is shown to have the capacity of greatly lengthening a human's lifespan.^[19]

See also

• Alien (Alien franchise)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Jim Thomas, John Thomas (writers) and John McTiernan (director). (1987). Predator. [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m} Jim Thomas, John Thomas (writers) and Stephen Hopkins (director). (1990). Predator 2. [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Paul W.S. Anderson (writer/director). (2005). Alien vs. Predator. [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
4. ^ ^{a b c} Shane Salerno (writer) Colin and Greg Strause (directors). (2008). Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Perry, Steve & Perry, Stephanie (1994). Aliens vs Predator: Prey. p. 259. ISBN 0553565559. http://www.amazon.com/Prey-Aliens-Vs-Predator-Book/dp/0553565559.
6. ^ ^{a b} Shirley, John (2006). Predator: Forever Midnight. p. 250. ISBN 1595820345. http://www.amazon.com/Predator-Forever-Midnight-John-Shirley/dp/1595820345/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203430637&sr=1-1.
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f} John McTiernan, Kevin Peter Hall, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joel Silver, John Davis, Jim Thomas, John Thomas. (2001). If It Bleeds We Can Kill It: The Making of 'Predator'. [Television program]. AMC.
8. ^ Les Paul Robley (December 1987). "Predator: The Original Makeup". Volume 18 #1 (Cinefantastique).
9. ^ Jesse Ventura (June 2000). I Ain't Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up. Signet Books. ISBN 0451200861. http://www.amazon.com/Aint-Got-Time-Bleed-Reworking/dp/0451200861/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201134921&sr=1-1.
10. ^ The Making of Predator 2. [Documentary]. 20th Century Fox. 1990.
11. ^ Jody Duncan & James Cameron (2007). The Winston Effect: The Art and History of Stan Winston Studio. p. 336. ISBN 1845761502.
12. ^ ^{a b} Gillis, Alec & Woodruff, Tom (2004). AVP: Alien vs Predator: The Creature Effects of ADI. p. 128. ISBN 1845760042.
13. ^ Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr (2008). Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem - Inside the Monster Shop. p. 128. ISBN 1845769090.
14. ^ Strause, Colin and Greg (Directors). (2008) (DVD commentary). Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. Beverly Hills, California: 20th Century Fox. Event occurs at 0:02:45. "This is the trophy room. I actually had a lot of fun there. If you look up on the right, there's actually the space jockey...I think that's a cousin of the Jockey that was in Ridley's movie. A second cousin, I think."
15. ^ Aliens vs Predator: Prey p. 27; "A warrior who would dare such would not be wise, for an insulted and angry Yautja female was not something even a not-too-wise male wanted to create. Assuming the warrior was armed and expert, it might almost be an even match, but Dachande would put his wager on the female. His most recent partner had tossed him across a room during the heat of their mating and that had been an accident..." p. 218 "Yautja females are bigger than males ... it also explained why this warrior was smarter than most of the Yautja he taught. ", Steve & Stephanie Perry
16. ^ Barreto, Edoardo & Claremont, Chris & Guice, Jackson & Beatty, John (1996). Aliens vs Predator: Deadliest of Species. p. 320. ISBN 1569711844. http://www.amazon.com/Aliens-vs-Predator-Deadliest-Species/dp/1569711844/ref=pd_sim_b_img_6.
17. ^ Stradley, Randy (1996). Aliens vs Predator: War. p. 200. ISBN 1569711585.
18. ^ Vance, James (1999). Predator: Homeworld. http://www.amazon.com/Predator-Homeworld-1-James-Vance/dp/B000WPZAH6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203430823&sr=1-1.
19. ^ Edginton, Ian & Maleev, Alex (1996). Aliens vs. Predator: Eternal. p. 88. ISBN 1569714096. http://www.amazon.com/Aliens-vs-Predator-Ian-Edginton/dp/1569714096/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203430885&sr=1-1.

External links

• Predator (alien) at the Internet Movie Database
• Yautja Encyclopedia [1]
• Predator: The Hunted Predator Information Site

Categories: Fictional characters who can turn invisible | Fictional extraterrestrial life forms | Fictional hunters | Fictional warrior races | Predator (franchise) characters | Alien vs. Predator characters | 1987 introductions

See Also:

• Predator (Alien)

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