One of the most dangerous species in all of the galaxies. The Xenomorph XX121 is usually known simply as the Xenomorph and sometimes even just the Alien. These creatures are a highly aggressive alien species that has been in repeated conflicts with humans.
While the film series that these creatures headline, Alien, is one of the most well-known in all of the cinema there is a lot that isn't said about the species.
10 THEY ARE COMPARABLE TO SOME INSECTS
The Xenomorphs may seem like they simply live to hunt and kill but they have a bit of a higher goal that is just as simple. This predatory species has the goal of further spreading their species and destroying any lifeform that could possibly be a threat to the growth of them.
This is very similar to the goal of wasps, bees, and ants. This was seen in the sequel film to the original Alien, Aliens. Especially when the heroes of the film encountered the Xenomorph Queen and her nest.
9 THEY ARE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE YAUTJA
The race of the Yaujta, or the Predators, are very well associated with the Xenomorphs. The Yaujta know the Xenomorphs as the "kiande aedha" which translates to "hard meat". This is due to the fact that the Yautja see the Xenomorphs as incredibly dangerous and therefore as very worthy prey of their hunt.
In fact, the Xenomorph are usually the target of special hunts for young Predators as a test to prove if they are "true Yaujta" in somewhat of a rite-of-passage ritual.
8 THEY ONLY KILL WHEN NECESSARY
The Xenomorph species primarily looks to grow their species even further which means they would much rather get more bodies to hatch more Xenomorph than kill. This results in them usually taking their victims alive and to their hive to be cocooned and impregnated with a Xenomorph embryo.
However, if the target is deemed too much of a threat to the Xenomorphs and therefore unsuitable for harvest a Xenomorph will instead go into attack mode to kill the bad host as soon as possible, which is usually the case when they encounter Yaujta.
7 THEIR APPEARANCES VARY
Xenomorph appearances usually alter depending on the host's physiology. This means that the look and traits of the host will usually affect the Xenomorph to be born from them in some way. This is in order for the Xenomorph to suit the environment that it will be born into incase it is born on the planet the host is native to.
Due to this, there are various types of Xenomorph which is something that the Kenner line of toys goes into. It is also the reason that the Yaujta Xenomorph hybrid "Predalien" exists in Alien vs Predator: Requiem.
6 THEIR MAIN WEAPON IS THEIR INNER JAW
Their inner jaw is their main tool for incapacitating their prey. This inner jaw is capable of shooting from the Xenomorph mouth much like a piston with the power to blast through bone and even metal. This results in a common tactic of the Xenomorph species being to hold down their prey with their hands and firing their inner jaw into their skull.
This attack has been dubbed the "headbite" and it is a signature tactic of the Xenomorph race. As seen in Prometheus with the Deacon, the inner jaw may have been through numerous evolutions.
5 THEIR SENSES ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE
While the Xenomorph species lacks lens-based visual organs such as eyes it has been confirmed that they have several different ways of sensing their surroundings. One of their sensory structures that are seen along the sides of their skulls is able to greatly perceive sound which gives it a wide field of hearing.
The Xenomorphs are also able to detect heat via their thermo-reactive organs that are located behind the frontal plate of the Xenomorph skull.
4 THE XENOMORPH ARE CONSCIOUS OF THEIR ACIDIC BLOOD
One of the iconic pieces of Xenomorph biology is its acidic blood that has been shown to be able to burn through just about any surface. While they may not seem to be the brightest creatures, with a very simple mindset, they have been shown to be conscious of their acidic blood's effects.
This has been noted in the many times that Xenomorphs have used this blood to their advantage such as using their blood to break through restraints and spit their blood to attack.
3 THE XENOMORPH ARE SMARTER THAN MANY THINK
While the Xenomorph may seem like a very simple-brained species they actually have shown some degree of intelligence. This may be a mark of their clever hunting nature and ability to usually adapt to battling with just about any kind of prey.
A great example of this intelligence is their supposed knowledge of machinery. It is seen in the film Aliens when they somehow cut off the power of the area that the film's heroes are boarded up in before attacking.
2 THEIR COMMUNICATIVE ABILITY IS STILL UNKNOWN
The way that the Xenomorph communicate among themselves is still a topic that is full of uncertainty. They are constantly seen vocalizing through hisses and screeches but many believe that their communication is performed through other means when it is directed to another Xenomorph.
Some think that they use pheromones or ultrasounds while others even believe that they are bioelectrically networked through a collective hive consciousness which gives them instant communication.
1 THEIR SEX IS UNCLEAR
Many heavily debate the Xenomorph's biological sex. The main theory surrounding this topic is that the members of this species have the biology of both sexes, but this is a highly speculative theory.
Many are even unsure if individual Xenomorphs even have traditional sexual organs. Yaujta have mostly said that the species is all-female which is also very speculative. The Queens of the species are unanimously called females due to their egg-laying and hive overseeing role.