Predator Study

Predator Study

Posted by: AintGotTime2Bleed | Posted on July 20, 2010

Note on the Use of Film Names

Throughout this study, the names of several films that the predator species appears in will be referenced. This is because, for the purposes of this work, I consider the films to be real-life filmed events, or accurate documentaries of said events. Each film refers to a different occasion of human-predator interactions. The film names can be identified due to the fact that they are italicized.

Lifespan Estimates

T-Rex Skull Predator Trophy Skull

Predator age has never been directly addressed, for human encounters with them are usually short and violent. However, subtle clues are left here and there each time they visit earth, and thusly an approximation can be made.

Such a clue is left in the trophy case of the predator in Predator 2 in the form of a skull (above). One can note the similarities between the two skulls already. The basic shape, the large teeth, and the eye sockets are all very similar to each other. The size is also an area of concern; they both dwarf human skulls by quite a bit, each looking capable of swallowing a human whole. The largest tyrannosaurus skull on record was five feet long, with teeth growing up to nine inches in length (23 centimetres). The average human skull is approximately 22 centimetres long and 17 centimetres wide, making the dinosaur’s teeth longer than a human skull. In the picture below, you can see a comparative example of the creature’s teeth in the predator trophy case versus those of a human skull;

As you can see, the tooth is significantly smaller than the human skull. This could mean one of three things. The first is that this isn’t a tyrannosaurus at all; it is perhaps a creature from another planet. The second is that it is an undeveloped tyrannosaurus/youngling, however why would a predator hunt something like that? Is it not more honourable to hunt something larger/tougher? (more on that in the Psychology section). The third is that it is another dinosaur beside a tyrannosaurus, yet equally large.

Examining the features of the creature further allows for the elimination of another of the listed possibilities. The “nose” area looks far more porous than a tyrannosaurus’ (small holes around the nose area). It has far less teeth, and they appear to be in more disarray than its counterpart. Finally, the most distinguishable feature is the extended mandible bones, shown below compared to those of a predator:

This brings up yet another question: are there any dinosaurs that are approximately the same size as a tyrannosaurus (judging by the similar skull sizes) and had such extended mandibles? The answer, unfortunately, is no (there have been no human findings of such a dinosaur. They are mostly crustaceans and insects). The importance of discovering if this skull matches that of any dinosaur on record is because it can put an approximate age to the skull. Predators are honourable, and thus are not likely to display the trophy case of anyone but their own. Therefore, if that was the trophy case of the Predator in Predator 2, we can safely assume that they were alive 60+ million years ago (the last time a carnivorous dinosaur of such size was seen on earth). Another reason this hypothesis is further proven is in the condition of the skull; if it had been from 60 million plus years ago, it would not have looked so new (unless they have intense preservation technology. However, there seemed to be no barrier between Lieutenant Mike Harrigan and the trophy case, leading to the conclusion that there was no technological preservation. The skull looked just as new as the freshly killed King Willie. Thus, the conclusion can safely be drawn that this is the skull of a creature from another world.

However, all hope is not lost. Another clue is displayed in Predator 2 which puts an approximate date on their age. When Lieutenant Mike Harrigan killed the predator, the rest of the ships’ crew de-cloaks and takes it away. As they are leaving, one of them throws Lt. Harrigan a gun with the inscription “Raphael Adolini 1715”. At that time the date was 1997, 282 years from the date on the guns inscription. Therefore, one can safely conclude that the predators live well over 200 years.

Another point to back up this hypothesis is in Alien vs. Predator (2004), when the predator ship comes down to retrieve their fallen comrade. Note the image below:

This is the face and mask of the oldest predator on their ship. He has clearly hunted xenomorphs before (conclusion drawn from the highlighted symbol on his face and mask; the dead predator did the same after he had killed some xenomorphs as well). These occur every 100 years, meaning that this predator is at least over 100 years old (he was definitely not on the hunt portrayed in the film. Thus, it must have been a prior one). However, if we also assume that this one is much older than all the others on the ship, and they have all proven themselves men in the same fashion, then we can conclude that this predator is over 200 years old.

Given the evidence from the films, what can be concluded is that Predators have a lifespan of well over 100 years, with the date on the gun in Predator 2 leading to the hypothesis that they live well over 250 years.

Psychology

Predator society clearly revolves around the hunt. Their passage to manhood involves successfully completing one, the most challenging of which was portrayed in Alien vs. Predator, in which three predators hunt xenomorphs for the right to be considered men. However, Aliens are not the only creatures they hunt. They stalk and kill men and animals as well, including those from planets other than earth. The larger and more dangerous the creature, the more honour one brings to your name.

Trophy cases are common, not only in predator society but in human culture as well. Human hunters occasionally keep the skulls or heads of the animals they have hunted, such as deer, moose or bears. Why do they do this? They are proud of their accomplishments and wish to display them to the rest of the world. Yet predators take it to a whole new level. Their entire culture is based on the hunt. Their trophy cases are like their identities; the larger the trophy case, the more respected and manly you are. And yet, as the age old adage goes, it’s not all about quantity, but quality as well.

Honour is a trait that almost all predators share. Why do they only kill creatures which are armed and dangerous, when there are many other innocent, easier things to kill? They do this because it is honourable. To kill an unarmed, unsuspecting creature, such as a weak human child or female, is not honourable. It is too easy. They like the challenge, and the more challenges you conquer the more respect you get from your brethren. Why did the creature in Predator not kill Anna? Why did the predator in Predator 2 not kill the pregnant Leona Cantrell? Why did it not kill the child, or the dying Mr. Weyland in Alien vs. Predator? The sole reason is because they were not armed, it was not a challenge, and it would have been a dishonour to slay such innocent, easy creatures. They honour their dead as well, evident in Predator 2 and Alien vs. Predator when a group of elderly predators retrieve the body of their fallen comrade, perhaps for a predator death ritual (such as a funeral procession).

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