All About Odocos
A closer look at a herd animal from the Alien People Chronicles
Within the pages of my science fiction novels, I love featuring many different types of aliens. Extraterrestrial animal species top that list. Creating alien animals is a true highlight of writing science fiction stories for me. Animals are a catalyst for story development in many ways. A character reveals their true personality through their interaction with animals in the story. Animals also influence setting and atmosphere. They can help create lighthearted moments or ratchet up suspense within a scene.
Habitable planets in my stories are typically home to an abundance of diverse wildlife. Colonia — also known as the Land of the Three Suns — is no exception. An array of unusual animal and plant life call this planet which orbits Alpha Centauri B home. One of my favorite species on Colonia is a distinctive herd animal.
The animal in question is an Odoco.
(warning: minor spoilers ahead for Among Hidden Stars)
Odoco Origins
I introduce numerous alien animals to readers throughout my Alien People Chronicles series. Some of these alien animals exist in the background. Others help move story threads forward.
Odocos play a pivotal role in the scene in Among Hidden Stars where readers first encounter these animals. A peaceful herd of Odocos is grazing near the foothills outside Genahm — a thriving village settled by refugees originating from Ra'ahm (a theocratic nation on the planet Lathos). Odocos are herded by Genahm villagers as a source of food and clothing.
When a star cruiser conveying Calandra and Xttra arrives at Genahm, they are forced to suddenly contend with stampeding Odocos after a trio of predators attacks the herd. Calandra, Xttra, and their fellow passengers must head off the stampede before the animals reach the village and cause major destruction in Genahm. They succeed in subduing the startled animals and then relocating their predators elsewhere before continuing into Genahm.
Odoco Characteristics
An odoco is a diurnal herbivore native to Colonia — a habitable planet orbiting Alpha Centauri B. Odocos are large furry animals who, according to Earthians who've seen them, possess a distinctive blend of elephant and deer features. They have deep oval eyes, a long trunk and large floppy elephantine ears. Small horns adorn the head of male odocos while females have none. Odocos possess long broad bodies, slender legs with hoofs, and a short bushy tail.
Odocos range through warm weather regions on Colonia and tend to graze in valleys and foothills for food. They prefer to strip leaves from trees for their main source of food but will graze on wild grasses as well to supplement their diets. These tree-eaters are peaceful and gentle by nature. Odocos are only dangerous if they become startled by sudden noises or unfamiliar scents. Archodons (an animal similar to a saber-toothed bear in appearance) are a predator who frequently target odocos, picking off stragglers from the roaming herds.
Name Dispute
Much like with other native animals on Colonia, ongoing disputes have arisen over what these animals should be called. Residents of Cascadia, the main Earthian colony, first bestowed the name odoco on the herbivore species. Genahm villagers, on the other hand, have called the same animal a hemantine ever since they first settled the planet a generation earlier.
Odoco has gained more widespread popularity and usage over hemantine due to the larger population and influence of Cascadia compared to Genahm.
This is the third in a series of articles on the alien animal species featured in my novels and short fiction. You can read past features on Calas and Treemas in my newsletter archives.
I would love an AI odoco picture. Fun background info!
Interesting background! Sigh! More books to add to my TBR list...