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The Macra were a gigantic crustacean race that feed on unclean gases which were poisonous to humans, whom the Macra would happily consume when they could. (DW: The Macra Terror, Gridlock)There Kinda weird aren't they?
Biology
There were two known types of Macra, the original sapient species and the later predators of New Earth.
Sapient species
The sapient species of Macra were larger than humans, able to hold a human in one claw. They were stocky in build, with large eyestalks, large claws (with a second, smaller set beneath the mouth) and were a dark, mucky brown colour. They were also covered in hairs. (DW: The Macra Terror)
Predator species
The predator species of Macra were much larger in size, several hundred times larger than a human. They had gigantic claws, large enough to easily hold an entire New Earth Car. The rest of the body was smaller in proportions, with glowing eyes on thin stalks and 6 spindly legs. The Macras were predators who hunted by movement and showed no sign of intelligence. They also had distinctive and terrifying roars. (DW: Gridlock)
History
The Macra were an ancient race with a large empire; "the scourge of this galaxy" as the Tenth Doctor put it. However, after many billions of years they de-evolved into feral beasts. (DW: Gridlock)
A group of "devolved" Macra infested a gas refinery on Earth. (DYD: Claws of the Macra)
On one planet colonised by humans, Macra used the humans as slaves to mine the gases that were vital for their existence. They were defeated when the Second Doctor effected an uprising on the planet and destroyed the control centre with an explosion, killing the Macra in charge and apparently dooming the Macra on the planet. (DW: The Macra Terror)
On New Earth, a colony of Macra escaped from the New New York Zoo when the power broke down and made their way into the Motorway. (REF: Doctor Who: Creatures and Demons) These Macra survived and multiplied in the depths of the Motorway in New New York, feeding on the poisonous fumes and stray people who came down in their cars to the "Fast Lane". They were apparently again doomed when the Tenth Doctor opened the roof of the Motorway, allowing the cars to escape to the Upper City, depriving the Macra of food and gases. (DW: Gridlock)
- It is not specified whether these two planets were the same, and therefore possibly the homeworld of the Macra, however it seems unlikely.
Behind the scenes
- The Doctor labelled the Macra as the "Scourge of this Galaxy" in Gridlock, a title he also gave to Baltazar in The Infinite Quest. However they are from different galaxies.
- Approximately 40 years passed between the Macra's first appearance on Doctor Who and their second. This remains, to date, the longest such interval between appearances for any character or creature in the franchise.