Humanoid aliens (was: Heyas all!)

Nik Taylor <fortytwo@...> wrote:
> Trace Erin Kern wrote:
> > Some biological reasons for the evolution into a 'humanoid' form:
> > Greater height from the ground, enabling greater visual range to avoid
> > predators and spot prey.
> > Hand make the use of tools much easier.
>
> It depends on what you mean by "humanoid", but, IMO, it would be logical
> for sentient species to have a humanoid form, in as far as bipedal, two
> arms, two eyes (at least), two ears (at least), major sensory organs
> concentrated in one region (i.e., the face), opposable thumbs, a mouth,
The oankali aliens in Butler's _Xenogenesis_ have sensory tentacles
that can taste and see all over their bodies. I think such a scheme
would be uncomfortable for most beings because it means a lot of
vulnerable points -- but the oankali have a lethal sting on each
tentacle.

> etc.  Actually, I suppose that maybe they wouldn't even have to be
> bipedal, but certainly have at least one pair of free limbs (arms).
What about the puppeteers in Ringworld? No arms -- just a double
head with lips that double as fingers. Not very likely though.


--Pablo Flores

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 The trouble with the rat race is that even
 if you win,  you're still a rat.
                                             Lily Tomlin