Zaralok
A Zaralok was a creature resembling a giant shark. One Zaralok encountered Amy Pond and the Eleventh Doctor on Poseidon 8.
Biology
The Zaralok was shark-like in appearance, but had some differences to Earth sharks, as well as claiming that "it's not a shark". It was about fifty feet long, partially covered in armoured plates, with two separate caudal fins. It could withstand the enormous pressure of the ocean floor, and could see in the dim waters there thanks to its large eyes. It was extremely fast and flexible. It could also survive in salt water. It seemed to be increadibly strong, as it was able to crack the glass of Poseidon 8, which presumably had incredibly thick glass, so as to protect the base from the pressure of the ocean. (GAME: Shadows of the Vashta Nerada)
History
The Zaralok was bred by the Valky clan, a sea-dwelling people on the planet Shakara. They bred the Zaraloks to fight an undersea war on their behalf but the creatures turned on their creators, eating them as well as the enemy.
In the 23rd century, a temporal rift resulted in one Zaralok being transported from its home to Earth. It attacked the underwater city Poseidon 8, smashing several passageways. The Eleventh Doctor and Amy defeated it by closing the rift, which pulled the Zaralok as well as the Vashta Nerada back to their places of origin. (GAME: TARDIS, Shadows of the Vashta Nerada)
Behind the scenes
- While the Zaralok is never named or its origins explained in Shadows of the Vashta Nerada's dialogue, that information is given in a "Who Fact" popup initiated by examining the first porthole on the USS Eldridge, outside which the Zaralok can be seen. This popup also refers to the creature as a "Razor-toothed Zaralok."
- Early designs for the creature, containing flesh stretched over its teeth, were considered too frightening to use.[1]
- The alternate name "razor-toothed blade fin" is given in the "Fourth Dimension" section of the game's website, in a section discussing the creature's early design. This name is never used in-game in any capacity.
