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{{quote|I'm reading thousands of types of flora. The [[Installation 04|ring]]'s ecosystem is incredibly sophisticated.|[[Cortana]]}}


Throughout the [[Halo Universe]], many [[Forerunner]] animals, plants and other lifeforms are shown or hinted at. Below are many known Forerunner fauna and flora.
Many [[Forerunner]] installations and megastructures boast naturalistic environments, complete with diverse populations of plants and animals. In the case of the [[Halo Array]], this was by design of the [[Librarian]], who allowed the population of ringworlds so as to research on the effects of a [[Flood]] outbreak in a controlled environment.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 334''</ref>


===Land animals===
==Fauna==
[[Image:Dinosaurs.jpg|thumb|300px|Photos of some Thorn Beasts that didn't make it into the original game.]]
===Avian===
[[File:H2-Delta Halo Quadwings.jpg|thumb|Quadwings on Installation 05.]]
{{Main|Rangmejo}}
On [[Installation 05]] and [[Installation 00]], Rangmejo can be seen flying in certain locations. They have four wings, long trailing tails, and elongated beaks. Because these features, they have been nicknamed Quadwings.


'''Halo Dinosaurs''' are native lifeforms to [[Halo]], possibly exclusive to [[Installation 04]]. They are both bipedal and quadruped in stature and somewhat resemble [[Earth]]'s dinosaurs. <ref>[[Halo E3 2000 Trailer]]</ref> The larger animals' names are [[Thorn Beast]]s and the smaller one has been identified as a [[Blind Wolf]]. <ref>[[Halo 2: Collector's Edition DVD|''Halo 2'' Collectors Edition Disc]]</ref>
On [[Trove]] in, there were creatures resembling [[list of animals|seagulls and eagles]].
The Blind Wolf was also meant to be rideable by the player as well as have the ability to bite as an attack. The Blind wolf has two very large teeth coming out of its mouth and walks on two legs, it may also be seen in large packs in the [[E3 2000]] Halo trailer.


Although they did not make it to the final cut of the game, this does not exclude them from ''[[Halo]]'' as a whole. For example, [[Engineers]] didn't make the final cut for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' either, but they were depicted in the [[Halo Novel]]s, [[Halo Wars]] and most recently in ''[[Halo 3: Recon|Halo 3: ODST]]''. A pack of [[Brute]]s ate a Thorn Beast in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''. It's unknown if these animals are meant to be there, or if they are even canon to the plot of ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', but just unseen.
An [[unidentified avian species]] inhabited the gas giant [[Seclusion]], where the Forerunners had a [[Seclusion Spiral|gas mining facility]].


The main reason they did not make it into the final game was that Bungie wanted the surprise introduction of the [[Flood]] to be shocking to the player, who had seen no hint of them before encountering them. It was determined that ultimately the presence of other non-Covenant aliens lessened the impact of the Flood's arrival.
===Insects===
{{Main|Moth}}


===Sea creatures===
Moth-like insects are seen in the dark swamp areas of [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]].


Originally, there were plans for sea creatures to inhabit the water- as seen in [[The Silent Cartographer]], where the water will not kill you.  In early [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] there was also a spear gun which could be used on the sea creatures and underwater enemies. A few sea creatures have been seen in early videos like sea monsters and fish. The creatures and spear gun did not appear due to balancing problems.
The ''Halo 2'' level ''[[Backwash]]'' contains fireflies.


===Dino-birds===
===Sea worms===
''Main Article: [[Dino-Birds]]''
{{Main|Sea worm}}


On the levels ''[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]'', and ''[[Regret (Level)|Regret]]'', there are birds flying around in the sky, usually flying in circles or ovals. They are also in the ''Halo 3'' multiplayer maps ''[[Guardian]]'', and ''[[Epitaph]]'' where they can be examined more closely by using Flycam in Theater or Editor Mode in [[Forge]]. At first they seem like dinosaurs, but they are seen in ''[[High Charity]]'', so it is also possible that the [[Covenant]] brought "food". They are also seen on [[Installation 05]]. But then, if they are dinosaurs, the Covenant might have brought specimens to their holy city. It may never be known if they are dinosaurs or wildlife brought by the Covenant to use as hunting game. This could be confirmed by the existence of the supply ship complete with a hunting preserve, the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' from the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''.
Sea worms are found in the oceans of Installation 04. They float harmlessly on the surface of the water. When exploring the water, the worms can often be seen in the waters edge, floating.


[[Image:possible halo dinosaurs.JPG|thumb|left|The Dino-birds of [[Installation 05]]]]
===Other===
Also, since it is known that Halo contains a vast multitude of terrains and environments, much like [[Earth]], it is possible that life has been developing on Halo over the 100,000 years that they have been dormant, such animals as the dino birds. Another reason why animals may not be seen is because they have the calcium store necessary for the [[Flood]] to infect, so the animals may have been destroyed by the guardians of the construct, and only avian-like animals are permitted to survive since it was mentioned that [[Drones]] do not have sufficient calcium mass to sustain the Flood.
Various animal calls can be heard in the level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]'' along with the moths. The most common sounds were the sound of an [[list of animals|owl]] hooting and cricket chirping.


In ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'' these "birds" can be shot and killed; they are always moving, and therefore difficult to hit. After being shot once by any weapon they give off red blood and fall straight down. There is only one falling animation.
On Shield 0459, many of the Flood forms infesting the surface appear to be infected wildlife.


A fun thing to do in ''Halo 2'' while you are on the gondolas on the level ''Regret'', or otherwise waiting for combat, is use a carbine or Beam rifle and try and snipe them. This "hunting" is especially fun when played in co-op, as the two players can compete for the most kills.
Some Forerunners grew [[Merse]], a species of aquatic carnivore, as pond decorations. [[Molaetra]], home to [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]], was briefly host to a species of tri-torsoed aquatic reptiles, which a Lifeworker had imported for his experiments.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum'''</ref>


It is likely that they were brought over from another place to the [[Halo Installations]] because the [[Forerunners]] could have used them as food for the Flood in an effort to learn more on Flood reproduction. However, the dino-birds could be difficult to obtain because of their avian nature, or their bodies simply do not contain enough calcium to be of use to the Flood.
Within [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]], there were lizards with narrow, almost birdlike faces and frilled crests. There were also avian creatures resembling birds or bats. [[Olivia]] found a beetle-like insect about ten centimeters long with bright orange stripes and a long tapering spike of a tail, crawling on Dr. Halsey.<ref>[http://www.tor.com/stories/2011/10/halo-glasslands-excerpt?start=1 '''Tor.com-''' Halo: Glasslands- Prologue and Chapter 1'']</ref>


===Moths===
==Flora==
''Main Article: [[Moths]]''
[[File:FTrees.jpg|thumb|110px|Various species of trees found on Forerunner installations.]]
===Stalk plants===
Stalk plants can be commonly seen in the multiplayer map ''[[Backwash]]'', and seen often in the campaign levels ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]'', ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]'' and ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''. These plants appear as large, thick stalks, as the name suggests and are often bulbous towards the base, tapering upwards into a thinner trunk, in a similar fashion as an onion grown on Earth. The bulb of the plant has been observed to possess some sort of photoluminescence and emits a neon green glow that repeats in a rhythmic pattern. This same property can be observed on the [[human]] [[Human Combat Form#Human Form|Combat Form]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.


These moth-like creatures are only seen in the dark Swamps of ''[[Alpha Halo]].'' They are one of the first animals seen in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
===Forerunner trees===
You cannot interact with the moths and they are not seen in Halo 2 or 3.
Forerunner trees are aesthetically similar to modern trees on [[Earth]]. They are found on Forerunner Installations and seem to be quite abundant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign levels, ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]], [[Assault on the Control Room]]'', and ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign levels, ''[[Delta Halo]], [[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]], [[Uprising]],'' and ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign levels, ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]], [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'', and ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]</ref> The trees would help keep a balanced ecosystem and make artificial worlds such as the [[Halo Array|Halo]] rings seem more natural. [[Shield world]]s also have a variety of trees, such as [[Ugparassa tree]]s that can be found on [[Requiem]].


===Sea worms===
Forerunner flora is usually similar to that of Earth, since Forerunners and humans are both species that depend on the same type of ecosystem.
''Main Article: [[Sea Worms]]''


The Sea Worms are only seen on the level ''[[Silent Cartographer (Level)|Silent Cartographer]]''. They float harmlessly on the surface of the water. When exploring the water, the worms can often be seen in the waters edge, floating.
==Deleted fauna and flora==
===Land animals===
[[File:Dinosaurs.jpg|thumb|200px|Photos of some Thorn Beasts that didn't make it into the original game.]]


===Other===
In original trailers for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', Installation 04 was inhabited by [[Thorn Beast]]s and a species of bipedal animal known as a [[Blind Wolf]].<ref>[[Halo 2#Halo 2 versions|''Halo 2'' Collectors Edition Disc]]</ref> The Blind Wolf was also meant to be rideable by the player as well as have the ability to bite as an attack. They can also be seen in large packs in the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2000]] Halo trailer.
Various animal calls were heard in the level ''343 Guilty Spark'' along with the moths. The most common sounds were the sound of an [[owl]] hooting and cricket chirping. It is unlikely that these sounds are indeed owls and crickets, but perhaps an animal that is similar. It also could be possible that they are artificial sounds made by the Forerunners to make the environment seem more life-like.


On the unknown shield world in ''[[Halo Wars]]'', there are creatures resembling sea gulls and [[eagle]]s, quite possibly the dino-birds. There are no land animals reported on that shield world.
The main reason these creatures did not make it into the final game was because the developers wanted the surprise introduction of the [[The Flood|Flood]] to be shocking to the player, who had seen no hint of them before encountering them. It was determined that ultimately the presence of other non-Covenant aliens lessened the impact of the Flood's arrival.  


==Flora==
===Sea creatures===
===Stalk plants===
Originally, there were unfinished plans for sea creatures to inhabit the water- as seen in [[The Silent Cartographer]], where the water will not kill the player.  In [[Pre-Xbox Halo|early ''Combat Evolved'' production]] there was also a spear gun which could be used on the sea creatures and underwater enemies. A few sea creatures have been seen in early videos like sea monsters and fish. The creatures and spear gun did not appear due to balancing problems.


Stalk Plants can be commonly seen in the multiplayer map ''[[Backwash (Level)|Backwash]]'', and seen often in the campaign levels ''[[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]]'', ''[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]'' and ''[[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]''. These plants appear as large, thick stalks, as the name suggests and are often bulbous towards the base, tapering upwards into a thinner trunk, in a similar fashion as an onion grown on Earth. The bulb of the plant has been observed to possess some sort of photoluminescence and emits a neon green glow that repeats in a rhythmic pattern. This same property can be observed on the [[Human]] [[Human Combat Form#Human Form|Flood Combat Form]] in ''[[Halo: CE]]''.
===Flora===
[[File:HW Flytrap.jpeg|thumb|200px|The fly trap-like plant creature cut from ''Halo Wars''.{{Ref/Reuse|shannon}}]]
A Venus fly trap-like organism was cut from the development of ''[[Halo Wars]]''.<ref name="shannon">[https://shannondees.tumblr.com/post/161667961446/work-i-did-on-halo-wars-while-at-ensemble ''Shannon Dees on Tumblr:''] ''"Work I did on Halo Wars, while at Ensemble Studios/Microsoft"''</ref>


===Forerunner trees===
==Sources==
 
{{Ref/Sources}}
Forerunner trees are aesthetically similar to modern trees on [[Earth]]. They are found on Forerunner Installations and seem to be quite abundant.<ref>''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' levels ''[[Halo (Level)|Halo]], [[Assault on the Control Room (Level)|Assault on the Control Room]]'', and ''[[Two Betrayals (Level)|Two Betrayals]]''</ref><ref>''[[Halo 2]]'' levels ''[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]], [[Regret (Level)|Regret]], [[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]],'' and ''[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]''</ref><ref>''[[Halo 3]]'' levels ''[[ The Ark (Level)|The Ark]], [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]'', and ''[[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Halo]]</ref> The trees would help keep a balanced ecosystem and make [[Halo]] seem more natural. There are many different trees seen on Halo throughout the trilogy.
 
Given their strong resemblance to trees found on Earth, it is entirely possible that the Forerunners intentionally transplanted flora from Earth to the Halo Installations, as an attempt to make them habitable and hospitable to their human inheritors.
 
===Terrain===
The majority of the terrain on [[Installation 04]] is grassy with masses of trees. Even in locales where it is snowing there are at least a few trees and patches of grass. This installation has various environments and seasons, and weather may differ on different parts of the ring.


==Sources==
<references/>
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:The Forerunner]]

Latest revision as of 01:15, March 8, 2024

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"I'm reading thousands of types of flora. The ring's ecosystem is incredibly sophisticated."
— Cortana

Many Forerunner installations and megastructures boast naturalistic environments, complete with diverse populations of plants and animals. In the case of the Halo Array, this was by design of the Librarian, who allowed the population of ringworlds so as to research on the effects of a Flood outbreak in a controlled environment.[1]

Fauna[edit]

Avian[edit]

Quadwings on Installation 05.
Main article: Rangmejo

On Installation 05 and Installation 00, Rangmejo can be seen flying in certain locations. They have four wings, long trailing tails, and elongated beaks. Because these features, they have been nicknamed Quadwings.

On Trove in, there were creatures resembling seagulls and eagles.

An unidentified avian species inhabited the gas giant Seclusion, where the Forerunners had a gas mining facility.

Insects[edit]

Main article: Moth

Moth-like insects are seen in the dark swamp areas of Alpha Halo.

The Halo 2 level Backwash contains fireflies.

Sea worms[edit]

Main article: Sea worm

Sea worms are found in the oceans of Installation 04. They float harmlessly on the surface of the water. When exploring the water, the worms can often be seen in the waters edge, floating.

Other[edit]

Various animal calls can be heard in the level 343 Guilty Spark along with the moths. The most common sounds were the sound of an owl hooting and cricket chirping.

On Shield 0459, many of the Flood forms infesting the surface appear to be infected wildlife.

Some Forerunners grew Merse, a species of aquatic carnivore, as pond decorations. Molaetra, home to Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting, was briefly host to a species of tri-torsoed aquatic reptiles, which a Lifeworker had imported for his experiments.[2]

Within Shield World 006, there were lizards with narrow, almost birdlike faces and frilled crests. There were also avian creatures resembling birds or bats. Olivia found a beetle-like insect about ten centimeters long with bright orange stripes and a long tapering spike of a tail, crawling on Dr. Halsey.[3]

Flora[edit]

Various species of trees found on Forerunner installations.

Stalk plants[edit]

Stalk plants can be commonly seen in the multiplayer map Backwash, and seen often in the campaign levels 343 Guilty Spark, Gravemind and High Charity. These plants appear as large, thick stalks, as the name suggests and are often bulbous towards the base, tapering upwards into a thinner trunk, in a similar fashion as an onion grown on Earth. The bulb of the plant has been observed to possess some sort of photoluminescence and emits a neon green glow that repeats in a rhythmic pattern. This same property can be observed on the human Combat Form in Halo: Combat Evolved.

Forerunner trees[edit]

Forerunner trees are aesthetically similar to modern trees on Earth. They are found on Forerunner Installations and seem to be quite abundant.[4][5][6] The trees would help keep a balanced ecosystem and make artificial worlds such as the Halo rings seem more natural. Shield worlds also have a variety of trees, such as Ugparassa trees that can be found on Requiem.

Forerunner flora is usually similar to that of Earth, since Forerunners and humans are both species that depend on the same type of ecosystem.

Deleted fauna and flora[edit]

Land animals[edit]

Photos of some Thorn Beasts that didn't make it into the original game.

In original trailers for Halo: Combat Evolved, Installation 04 was inhabited by Thorn Beasts and a species of bipedal animal known as a Blind Wolf.[7] The Blind Wolf was also meant to be rideable by the player as well as have the ability to bite as an attack. They can also be seen in large packs in the E3 2000 Halo trailer.

The main reason these creatures did not make it into the final game was because the developers wanted the surprise introduction of the Flood to be shocking to the player, who had seen no hint of them before encountering them. It was determined that ultimately the presence of other non-Covenant aliens lessened the impact of the Flood's arrival.

Sea creatures[edit]

Originally, there were unfinished plans for sea creatures to inhabit the water- as seen in The Silent Cartographer, where the water will not kill the player. In early Combat Evolved production there was also a spear gun which could be used on the sea creatures and underwater enemies. A few sea creatures have been seen in early videos like sea monsters and fish. The creatures and spear gun did not appear due to balancing problems.

Flora[edit]

"Work I did on Halo Wars, while at Ensemble Studios/Microsoft"[1]
The fly trap-like plant creature cut from Halo Wars.[8]

A Venus fly trap-like organism was cut from the development of Halo Wars.[8]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 334
  2. ^ Halo: Cryptum
  3. ^ Tor.com- Halo: Glasslands- Prologue and Chapter 1
  4. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign levels, Halo, Assault on the Control Room, and Two Betrayals
  5. ^ Halo 2, campaign levels, Delta Halo, Regret, Uprising, and The Great Journey
  6. ^ Halo 3, campaign levels, The Ark, The Covenant, and Halo
  7. ^ Halo 2 Collectors Edition Disc
  8. ^ a b Shannon Dees on Tumblr: "Work I did on Halo Wars, while at Ensemble Studios/Microsoft"
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