Palulukan

The Thanators, known as Palulukan by the Na'vi, are massive predators that inhabit in the rainforests of the jungle moon of Pandora (mainly on the Valley of the Thanators).

Overview
300px|left 300px|left Although many regions of the moon have yet to be explored, xenobiologists currently believe that it may be the apex land predator on Pandora.

Reminiscent of a Terran panther, this enormous, powerful animal is unique in its ability to lord over its territory and strike fear into the largest and fiercest of Pandoran creatures. Even the Na'vi, who are renowned for their courage, are shaken by the approach of the creature. Also, it is not celebrated in dance or song by the Na'vi.

Physionomy
Its musculature is pronounced and impressive, providing power for protracted runs and leaps. The speed of its neck and jaw strike is swift. In addition to conventional ripping and tearing, the Thanator can also deliver a lethal blow from its armored tail. The Thanator's senses are so highly developed that, depending on atmospheric conditions, it can detect prey up to thirteen kilometers away.

Anatomy
The Thanator has ten sensory quills that sprout from sections of armor plating that encircle the rear of its skull. The function of the quills is still a mystery, but it has been hypothesized that they may be tied to an internal mechanism of prey location. The quills also flare up to produce a more menacing appearance.

It also has an armored neck and back, a massive distensible jaw, and twenty-three centimeter long sharp teeth. The Thanator has burnished black skin. Its ten external sensory quills are colored red and yellow. The upper lip folds back for maximum tooth extension. The Na'vi, who are around 9 to 10 feet tall, could ride on the back of one of these beasts, making them approximately 20 feet long.

Lifestyle
The Thanator appears to hunt alone, and normally does not stray outside of its territory, which is believed to be roughly 300 square kilometers. It appears to hunt mainly at night, although seems to make an exception if hungry enough.

Neytiri watches as Jake flees from a Thanator, and continues to observe him through the night. This leads to their first meeting after Neytiri saves Jake from a pack of Viperwolves. Neytiri also bonds with a Thanator after her Ikran be killed at the final battle between the RDA and Na'vi.

Trivia

 * Its name, Thanator, likely comes from the Greek word θάνατος (thánatos), meaning death.
 * The Thanator was originally known as a Manticore in the project 880 script. It also had a large, scorpion-like tail.
 * The roar used for the Thanator in Avatar is identical to the one previously used for the T-rex in the film Jurassic Park.
 * The original scriptment, by James Cameron, mentions that the Thanator could beat a T-rex easily, and have the Alien Queen for breakfast.
 * In "The Art of Avatar", by Lisa Fitzgerald, the Thanator is referred to as James Cameron's "baby." He produced the original sketches and color schemes for the Thanator.
 * In the Avatar Game for the iPod/iPhone, one Na'vi has a baby Thanator as a pet. So it is possible to domesticate Thanators at an early age.
 * In James Cameron's Avatar: The Game, Able Ryder is able to ride a palulukan after saving a thanator's life.