Kdatlyno
Encyclopedia
Kdatlyno are an extraterrestrial
species
in Larry Niven
's fiction
al Known Space
universe. They first appeared in the short story Grendel
.
Kdatlyno are chiefly known for their touch sculpture, their sonar
"vision" and for being a race subjugated by the ferocious, warlike Kzin
ti.
In appearance they are a physically large and powerful biped
al species with muscular build, rough scaley skin, retractile claws and thick hides, growing up to eight feet tall. They have no eyes, having evolved on a world which instead drove the development of echolocation rather than vision.
Kdatlyno are one of the few sentient
races that can physically intimidate an adult Kzin, and there is at least one mention of them being used as elite Imperial Guard
s for the Kzinti Patriarch
, presumably due to both their great strength and their uninvolvement in Kzin imperial court politics.
The most famous Kdatlyno is Lloobee, a touch-sculptor who works primarily for a human audience and was the character referred to in the title of the short story Grendel.
Extraterrestrial life in popular culture
In popular cultures, "extraterrestrials" are life forms — especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin .-Historical ideas:-Pre-modern:...
species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in Larry Niven
Larry Niven
Laurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
's fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al Known Space
Known Space
Known Space is the fictional setting of some dozen science fiction novels and several collections of short stories written by author Larry Niven. It has also in part been used as a shared universe in the Man-Kzin Wars spin-off anthologies sub-series....
universe. They first appeared in the short story Grendel
Grendel (Niven)
"Grendel" is an English language science fiction short story written in 1968 by Larry Niven. It is the fourth in the series of Known Space stories featuring crashlander Beowulf Shaeffer...
.
Kdatlyno are chiefly known for their touch sculpture, their sonar
Acoustic location
Acoustic location is the science of using sound to determine the distance and direction of something. Location can be done actively or passively, and can take place in gases , liquids , and in solids .* Active acoustic location involves the creation of sound in order to produce an echo, which is...
"vision" and for being a race subjugated by the ferocious, warlike Kzin
Kzin
The Kzinti are a fictional, very warlike and bloodthirsty race of cat-like aliens in Larry Niven's Known Space series....
ti.
In appearance they are a physically large and powerful biped
Biped
Bipedalism is a form of terrestrial locomotion where an organism moves by means of its two rear limbs, or legs. An animal or machine that usually moves in a bipedal manner is known as a biped , meaning "two feet"...
al species with muscular build, rough scaley skin, retractile claws and thick hides, growing up to eight feet tall. They have no eyes, having evolved on a world which instead drove the development of echolocation rather than vision.
Kdatlyno are one of the few sentient
Sentience
Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive or be conscious, or to have subjective experiences. Eighteenth century philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think from the ability to feel . In modern western philosophy, sentience is the ability to have sensations or experiences...
races that can physically intimidate an adult Kzin, and there is at least one mention of them being used as elite Imperial Guard
Imperial Guard
The Imperial Guard was originally a small group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon I, but grew considerably over time. It acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve, and he was careful of its use in battle...
s for the Kzinti Patriarch
Kzinti Patriarch
From Larry Niven's Known Space series of science fiction books, the Kzinti Patriarch is the leader of the Kzin race.-Background:Larry Niven wrote a number of science fiction books set in a mythical universe called Known Space...
, presumably due to both their great strength and their uninvolvement in Kzin imperial court politics.
The most famous Kdatlyno is Lloobee, a touch-sculptor who works primarily for a human audience and was the character referred to in the title of the short story Grendel.
External links
- Kdatlyno at the Encyclopedia of Known Space