Bioraptor Rendering
Bioraptors are highly aggressive and animalistic creatures capable of flight and having a physiological aversion to sunlight, as they can die if exposed to enough ultraviolet radiation. They are assumed to be native to the encountered planet in the M-344/G System, and are considered to have caused the extinction of most life on the planet. It is unknown why or how a light-sensitive species could have evolved on a planet in a trinary star system with virtually constant, planet-wide illumination.
Roughly every 22 years, the planet undergoes a several month long planet-wide eclipse caused by an aligning of the planets and stars such that it sits in-between two much larger planets. It is during this time that the bioraptors emerge from their underground dwellings and engage in mass-feeding reminiscent of locust swarms.
Bioraptor by David Grasso from DeviantArt
Their blood is thick and blue, possibly due to a concentration of copper-based hemolymph (as opposed to iron-based hemoglobin). They have thin, streamlined bodies covered in what appears to be thick and leathery skin, wings capable of supporting limited flight, and a twin-forked tail with sharp points at the end. Their distinctive heads seem to be made of a hard, chitinous material reminiscent of that surrounding most arthropods. Due to the nature of their total-dark environments they have no eyes, but instead have incredibly sensitive ultrasonic sensor organs capable of picking up on the most minute of sounds and giving them a detailed "view" of their environment.
The Infants
Infant Bioraptors
When the lights go out, these are the first to emerge from the massive "chimneys" leading into their system of tunnels. An immense number of these appear at the onset of the solar eclipse and tend to fly around in flocks. Alone they are only passably dangerous, but combined they represent a proverbial cloud of blades, as their strength in numbers can literally tear a person to pieces, as demonstrated by the dismemberment of Sharon Montgomery in Pitch Black.
It is unknown how bioraptors are born, nor is their development chronicled in any detail. All attempts at scientific study have ended in the deaths of most, if not all of the researchers.
The Adults
An adult Bioraptor getting ready to attack.
Often referred to as "big boys", these beasts emerge from underground shortly after the infants. The long stalks on either side of their head supporting their ultrasonic sensors have developed to be roughly 2 meters (6.5 ft) long combined. Due to how widely their sensor organs are spaced, there is a blind spot directly between them and inches away from their mouth (as Riddick discovers). They have long tails that end with two curved chitinous tips that seem to be used for balance and the catching and dragging of helpless prey. Their two feet are lizard-like with 4 monstrous talons radiating towards the front. They are stronger than an average human (Riddick was able to kill a single one on his own, albeit with great effort, using only his hands), and seem to be able to smell blood, as they show a distinct preference for the menstruating Jack.
Surviving Underground
Bioraptor up close and personal
As most other preferable food sources seem to be dead, the Bioraptors seem to survive by consuming each other. The adults seem to prefer eating their young, but will swarm other adults when they cannot be caught. It is unknown whether or not there are more organisms underground.
Trivia
- Biraptors are designed by Patrick Tatopoulos.
- The Kryll from Gears of War are inspired by the swarming Infant Bioraptors.