Zerax

A species of large, spaceborne predator of the innerworlds of the Beta Targos System. The zerax are not considered sentient.

The zerax are huge creatures, known and feared by many Harki for their very long tonge. This allows them to grapple onto prey at very long distances and prevent them from escaping. The zerax have evolved to become mostly black as a form of effective space camouflague. Though this hides them from visual sight, they can still be detected with infrared or radar detection methods. The zerax are relatively slow in comparison to other predators of its size, so they rely mainly on ambushing prey. The heat they must radiate as an innerworlds creature would be massive and they must be able to hide it to catch prey. Their radiators are designed to radiate heat in all directions except for a cone pointing forwards so that it can easily catch prey in that direction. They would be noticed quite easily from other directions.

The very large zerax are one of the natural predators of the largest subspecies of harki. Sometimes they would target smaller ones too, but mainly the large ones. They could also target some smaller bioships, but they would take some more effort to consume. It is thus intuitive for the harki to develop various purposed organisms to help detect and avoid them, such as creatures with radars and infrared eyes. The incredible natural ingenuity of the harki allowed them to not only survive but to also expand, given sufficient sunlight and food. Sometimes, the harki have even managed to repurpose zerax into bioships. These were mainly used in war. As the harki became more powerful, the zerax were reduced in numbers until they learned to never mess with the harki, at which point they were spared unless the harki wanted to hunt.

The zerax would also eat other creatures of a similar size. They would swallow their prey whole, so they have very large esophagus and a chambered stomach for breaking down prey initially.

They mainly rely on several sets of eyes in many positions of its body to detect objects approaching from all directions. These are designed with optical zoom and can easily see objects that are quite far away using their own eyes, allowing them to aim their tongue accurately at prey and determine the type of object approaching. 

Like any other creature, they would need a method of propulsion that works in space. They thus rely on a number of large organs that direct ionized particles through a magnetic field which creates a lot of thrust. This method uses a lot of energy but consumes little matter. Many of these are positioned in many placed around the body and can adjust, allowing the zerax to make complex movements like other spaceborne creatures.

The zerax are seen in harkas cultures as a symbol of terror and consumption. The symbol is used in the military and with pirates to demoralize the enemy forces.

The zerax have 3 sexes and fairly significant sexual dimorphism. The female members of the species are the most important in the process of reproduction. The other 2 sexes are known as A-males and B-males who would both be required to cause the female to develop its fetus. The female has glands that can store some of the genetic code from previous A and B males which allows them to reproduce using stored genetic material instead.