Phylosian swoopers

Phylosian swoopers is a conjectural term used to describe an unidentified species of animal featured in the Star Trek franchise. They appeared in episode 1.7 of the 1973 Star Trek animated series, "The Infinite Vulcan".

Description
Phylosian swoopers were flying animals native to the planet Phylos. Contrary to their appearance, these creatures were actually plant-based life forms that lived underground and guarded the caverns occupied by the native Phylosians. They had a dragon-like appearances with large, scalloped wings, purple skin, a sharpened beak and two tentacles that extended from their chest region.

History
On Stardate: 5554.4, the crew of the USS Enterprise came to Phylos to investigate a seemingly abandoned city. After meeting the Phylosians, the landing party explored the underground area and were attacked by the swoopers. Ensign Sulu tried firing a phaser at one of the creatures, but the Phylosian leader, Agmar, warned them that their master, Stavos Keniclius 5, had a weapons deactivator in effect rendering their armaments useless. The landing party were forced to flee from the swoopers, but unfortunately, Mister Spock was left behind. ( The Infinite Vulcan)

Notes & Trivia

 * The concept of the Phylosian swoopers was developed by director Hal Sutherland and writer Walter Koenig.


 * In "The Infinite Vulcan", the creatures are referred to only as Swoopers. They are not identified by an official nomenclature.


 * The Swoopers have only made one known appearance.


 * The sound effects used to create the shriek of the swooopers is stock audio tracks used for many alien creatures featured in Filmation and Hanna-Barbera Productions.