Suckling

A Pup and its parent

A Suckling, also called a Sucker, Pup or a Youngling, was a juvenile Yautja. The Hish-qu-Ten referred to their offspring as Spawnlings or Floor Creepers.

Overview

Sucklings are mentioned sparingly in extended universe sources and where pictured, appear to be smaller, meeker versions of the adult Yautja. Vk'leita described Machiko's height as being the "size of a child" in his species, putting them around 5'0". According to Forever Midnight, spawnlings are only about a meter tall, or half the size of an adult hunter.

Litter Sizes

It is unknown if Yautja are born in litters or if single births are common. However, most siblings observed appear to be not only the same age, but same rank, coming in duos or trios. For example, Celtic, Scar, and Chopper were a sibling trio of similar age, which could suggest litters of up to three are possible. However, another likely possibility is that the trio only share a sire and are half-siblings, similar to Nei'hman-de and Dachande. If their anatomy is similar to trends on earth, the latter may be true, as an animal typically has half of the amount of offspring as they do available nipples. The Hish, however, are always known to whelp six children at a time. This may also be true for mainstream hunters. The Hish also commonly only keep one or two of their children out of the six; any with flaws are fed to what is called a "recycler".

In any case, it isn't uncommon for a suckling to have many, many half-siblings as highly esteemed males such as Leaders tend to attract many females. Dachande was known to have fathered 73.

Temperaments and Rearing

"As the yautja are of a matriarchal society, the females do not hunt for sport and conquest like the males of their species. Instead they typically stay on the homeworlds, ruling over the clans, providing for and raising young, and protecting their planets."

―AVP: Unleashed

Since female Yautja have a breeding season, it is likely that they go into estrus and mate roughly around the same time. Therefore, most young Yautja are around the same age. While young and homeworld-bound, a pup will mostly be raised by his mother, growing up in a matriarchal society where females rule clans and protect worlds. Nothing is said of female pups, but male pups seem be innately hostile and will resort to violence at the slightest hint of perceived disrespect. However, since they are just younglings, they are not allowed to challenge each other to death matches, only claw-challenges. It is unknown if female pups share this same aggression as pups; Dachande interprets Machiko Noguchi's lack of impulsivity and senseless aggression as feminine traits. This seems to imply the opposite is true for young female pups. However, Dachande comments he has witnessed sensitivity in the "smallest of children", so this aggression may be taught to males rather than innate, in preparation for their lives on the Path of the Warrior.

A Young Yautja amoung adults.

Once they can stand and walk, Younglings are not handled with affection and care, as evidenced by Dachande being deftly slapped aside by a female going about her business (and the other male pup who challenged him fleeing the scene). Dachande recalls the memory fondly, implying this is normal. According to Forever Midnight, Yautja would be physical considered "young adults" at around 60 earth years. However, they would still be seen and treated as children until successfully blooded.

Among the first weapons a young Yautja is given to master are their wristblades.

Training

The lack of female Yautjas and even of other mentioned professions such as Healers and Philosophers implies that the bulk of male pups go on to train as warriors. The Wristblades are among the first weapons a Yautja will receive in its life, given to them even in their youth. Presumably, this is also the age they begin training, though it is unclear when a pup is considered Un-Blooded. This "training" includes learning the lore of their species; of the Black Warrior and of being frightened by Oomans, among other things.

It is also unclear if Yautja have a concept of adolescence, or if their only age markers are child and adult.

Known Juveniles

• Nightmare Kid

Trivia

• "Youngling" and "Suckling" may be different names for a pup at different stages of development. While both still juveniles overall, one is clearly younger than the other.

Appearances

• Aliens vs. Predator: Prey (mentioned)
• Aliens vs. Predator: Hunter's Planet (mentioned)
• Predator: If It Bleeds (mentioned)
• Superman and Batman vs. Aliens and Predator