Creatures

Thanator

The thanator (Na'vi name: palulukan meaning "dry mouth bringer of fear") is a carnivorous hexapedal animal native to the forests of 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 or lion, or the extinct inostrancevia, this enormous, powerful and ferocious animal is unique in its ability to lord over its territory and strike fear into other largest and fiercest of Pandora's terrestrial carnivores. Even the Na'vi, who are renowned for their courage and skills in hunting, are shaken by the approach of the creature. A lean and agile feline-like creature, the thanator's 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 thin armored tail. An impact from the tail is strong enough to defend against other thanators. The creature's senses are so highly developed that, depending on atmospheric conditions.

Viperwolf

The viperwolf (Na'vi name: nantang) is a hyena/wolf-like carnivore that has 6 legs, 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. Viperwolves almost always move in packs that can mass together into a highly cooperative hunting party within seconds of finding prey. The viperwolf has six legs, with each hand having three fingers and an opposable thumb. This allows it to climb trees as well as stalk from the ground and, thereby, creates a three-dimensional hunting field. It is mostly black, but is banded with vermillion and iridescent blue. Its hairless skin appears burnished and the low-slung head has chitinous armor around the neck, which turns to amphipod plating on the back of the neck and spine. The viperwolf has distensible snakelike jaws with obsidian teeth and a paddle-like tail for stability. Bioluminescent patterns are used for pack identification. When stalking prey, the viperwolf is able to reduce its profile by hugging the ground or clinging to tree limbs. Its dark skin allows it to blend in with the environment at night and, thus hidden, a viperwolf can often approach within a few meters of unsuspecting prey and then attack with frightening efficiency.

Hammerhead Titanothere

The hammerhead titanothere (Na'vi name: 'angtsìk) is a large Pandoran herbivore, approximately eleven meters (36 feet) long. 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. Atop the hammerhead structure, titanotheres also possess a brightly colored display crest with rigid, chitinous backings that can be raised when confronted by an adversary. The skin flaps are usually shades of purple and blue, but herd leaders have yellow-orange ones. Bioluminescent patterns are present on the fan structure. Both the hammerhead structure and the colored skin fan are also used to attract and compete for a mate.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, bony shoulder and back offer protection during battles with other titanotheres or large creatures such as the leonopteryx or thanator. Their armor, however, only covers the front of their bodies. Their hindquarters are relatively unprotected. The titanothere has a genetic similarity to the hexapede: It has very small feathery scent organs on the side of the neck. It has four eyes and a soft, ungulate mouth, protected by a beak-like jaw structure.

Direhorse

Direhorses (Na'vi name: pa'li) are nectarivores, 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 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 that are 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 antennae is not only for pleasure and affection, but also is 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.

Mountain Banshee

Mountain banshees (Na'vi name: ikran) are large, dragon-like aerial predators that are native to Pandora. They can be found roosting on the various cliff sides on the Hallelujah Mountains. 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 Omatikaya. 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. A rider can bond with a new banshee should the previous one die, as was the case after Neytiri's first mount Seze was killed during the Assault on the Tree of Souls; it remains unknown whether the same applies to a banshee that has lost its rider. Many Na'vi clans utilize the mountain banshee in numerous ways. They use them for traveling long distances, for hunting from the air, or even during times of war (as seen during the Pandoran War). Na'vi have been taming banshees for thousands of years.

Great Leonopteryx

The great leonopteryx (Na'vi name: toruk meaning "last shadow") is a species of large flying animal native to Pandora, and is the apex aerial predator of the Pandoran sky. Scientifically, it is known as Leonopteryx rex – "winged king lion". The fierce magnificence and formidable stature of the great 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. The great leonopteryx is closely related to the banshee, with many similarities and differences. The great leonopteryx is primarily colored red and yellow, with black stripes and blue crests on the top of the head and under its lower jaw, though the crests can be albinistic or green. The crest on its head is razor sharp and can be used to injure or disembowel prey, or cut vegetation obstructing flight. The great 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 great leonopteryx has powerful jaws which can open at a wide angle, capable of cleaving a mountain banshee in half. Despite their superior binocular vision, they are unable to see directly above them, most likely due to the protective brow ridges above their eyes.

Akula

The akula is a Pandoran ocean animal that roams the reefs of the Eastern Sea. The akula is a carnivorous fish that bares a striking resemblance to the terran great white shark. It is equipped with a pointy tail that is used to propel itself through the water. The underside of its body is white while the creature's top is dark gray. This coloration acts as camouflage, allowing the akula to sneak up on its prey. Similar coloration can be found on the great white shark, which occupies the same niche as the akula. A sharp ridge can be seen on the akula's back. The akula possesses a three-part jaw that resembles a rattlesnake's open mouth. The mouth almost looks like a blooming flower when opened. The akula has cultural significance to the Metkayina clan. The serrated edges of the clans' knives are modeled after the teeth of the creature, and Tonowari wears a necklace crafted with akula teeth.

Tulkun

The tulkun is a large, intelligent marine species native to the oceans of Pandora. They are similar to Terran whales, which have gone extinct due to human activity. Tulkun are highly intelligent creatures with their own unique culture and philosophy. Ian Garvin mentions they are likely smarter than humans, as well as being more "spiritual" and "emotional". However, this intelligence can only be expressed in its own unique way, similar to whales. This intelligence has allowed the tulkun to form a culture among themselves, including the establishment of the Tulkun Way, an ancient pacifist doctrine stemming from their early history that forbids all forms of killing. Tulkun are slightly transcendent, being sentient and highly cultured, with their own rich family histories, mathematics, poetry, and sophisticated music. They have their own language, individual names and can communicate with the Na'vi. While the latter use sign language to interact with the mammals, the tulkun use vocal sounds and eye contact. They are very close to all of marine reef clans; for instance, the Metkayina clan see them as siblings. Each Metkayina member engages a lifelong bond with a tulkun early in their life, whom they call their spirit brother/sister. They celebrate each others' families, the birth of a new child and mourn the loss of a family member. Tulkun can access memories stored within Eywa and are able to share their experiences with the Na'vi.

Skimwing

The skimwing (Na'vi name: tsurak) is a Pandoran creature inhabiting the tropical oceans. The skimwing is large, able to comfortably fit a fully grown Na'vi on its back. Its skin is blue-grey and its large fins, which partially elevate it out of the water like a Terran flying fish, are orange with dark markings. Its head also resembes that of a Terran gharial. Although Pandora's low gravity and high air density allows the skimwing to use its wings to fly in ground effect above the water, its tail remains in the water to propel it forward. With its powerful tail, the skimwing can travel at up to 50 knots (58 mph / 92 kph) and maintain a cruise speed of 35 knots (40 mph / 65 kph) for hours. The skimwing and the ikran share a common evolutionary ancestor. Unlike whales or dolphins, skimwings cannot drown. They breathe using their gills while underwater, but inhale air through two nostrils located on top of their heads during flight. They mostly feed on fish and small aerial creatures. The Metkayina clan and other reef clans use the skimwing for hunting larger prey at the surface or to dive deeper. It is also used as a mount during combat. Only the most skilled Metkayina hunters may tame a skimwing; they are temperamental and take a long time to form a loyal bond with their rider. Jake Sully learned to ride one after moving to the Metkayina clan.

Ilu

The ilu is a large, plesiosaur-like sea creature that is the direhorse of the Pandoran oceans, fulfilling a biological role similar to that of a Terran dolphin. The ilu is a sleek and lithe aquatic reptilian specimen with a long flexible neck, six flippers and rudder-like tail, closely resembling Earth's extinct plesiosaurs. It possesses four eyes and two queues, antennae-like neural whips extending from its temples. It is most observed with dark coloration on its upper body splotched with colorful markings and a white underbelly. Despite living underwater, the ilu breathes air, similar to Terran dolphins and whales. The ilu has special etholocation organs which it uses for communication. Its top speed is 32 knots (37 mph/60kph). The ilu is intelligent, sociable, and easily domesticated. It serves as mount for the reef clans, including the Metkayina and Ta'unui, just as direhorses serve the Na'vi clans of the forests and plains. They are as common in the ocean as ikran are in the sky and can be found in groups near the settlements of oceanic Na'vi clans. Unlike Ikrans, ilu do not form personal bonds with a particular Na’vi. If an ilu has been familiarized with the concept of a Kuru bond, any rider can mount that ilu.