Martian (Quatermass and the Pit)

Martians are a sapient species of tripedal insectoids which colonized Earth over 5 million years ago and influenced the development of early Humans.

Biology
Martians are child-sized arthropods, similar to insects or crustaceans. They have three legs and a pair of short antennae which resemble the horns of mythical demons.

Martian bodies are vulnerable to Earth's atmosphere, which is speculated to be due to a higher oxygen concentration and/or the presence of pathogenic bacteria.

History
The presence of Martians in prehistoric Earth is believed to have inspired legends of horned imps and demons, which the Martians resemble due to their short stature and horn-like antennae. It is believed that the Martians uplifted the ancestors of modern Humans. According to Prof. Bernard Quatermass' speculations, dormant psychic abilities in Humans might be responsible for unexplained phenomena such as mediumic abilities, poltergeist activity and witchcraft, all resulting from alterations made by the Martians.

Racial purges and slaughters, witnessed by primitive Humans, were performed by the Martians to rid their race of undesired mutations, and gave rise to legends of the Wild Hunt and its various cultural equivalents across the world.

Appearances

 * Quatermass and the Pit
 * e03, "Imps and Demons" (1959)
 * e04, "The Enchanted" (1959)
 * e05, "The Wild Hunt" (1959)
 * e06, "Hob" (1959)
 * Quatermass and the Pit, film (1967)