Andalite - Biology

Biology

The Andalites are fictional aliens from the book series and TV series Animorphs. Andalites resemble centaurs of Greek mythology, with a lower body similar to a horse and a torso similar to a human. The two arms on their upper bodies are relatively weak by human standards, and end with seven-fingered hands. Andalites are seen to be incredibly agile on their four hoofed legs. Their entire bodies are covered in fur, the males blue and tan in colour while the females have been depicted as being purple.

The head of an Andalite has a pair of almond-shaped eyes, as well as a second pair of "stalk-eyes" mounted on two thick stalks that rise from the top of their heads, giving them a 360-degree range of vision. The main eyes are glittery green or gold in colour. Their sense of sight is similar to that of humans, with the stalk eyes described as being capable of seeing a slightly wider spectrum of light wavelengths.

A notable facial feature is the lack of a mouth. Andalites feed by crushing grass beneath their hooves, absorbing the nutrients from the plants, and communicate by means of thought-speech, a kind of telepathy. In the place where a human nose would be located, Andalites possess three vertical slits, allowing them to breathe. They have three hearts, giving them physical speed and endurance beyond what a human can achieve. An Andalite's normal body temperature (in Fahrenheit) is shown to be 91.3 degrees.

Andalites also possess an organ in the back of their head called the Tria gland. The Tria gland keeps disease organisms away from the rest of the body. More specifically, the Tria gland is in the back of the head, even with the bottom of the ears, in the dead center. Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill needed his removed due to inflammation in book #29, The Sickness.

Andalites evolved as prey animals, but possess a formidable defense in the form of the single, scythe-shaped blade at the end of their long tails. The female tail blade is noticeably smaller than that of the male, and more similar to a scalpel than a blade. The bladed tail is long enough to reach well in front of the Andalite, allowing them to strike quickly and deeply at an opponent. A common Andalite battle technique is to turn the blade flat against their target at the last possible instant, delivering a blow that renders the opponent unconscious rather than fatally cutting them.

The Andalite tail is also an important part of their culture, and is frequently referenced in poetry and rituals. For example, the word shorm comes from the Andalite word for 'tail-blade', and is used to describe a fellow Andalite who could be trusted to place his tail-blade at one's own throat without feeling threatened; essentially, a best friend.