A Mugato from the planet Neural.
The Mugato is a simian creature that inhabits the subtropical savanna regions of the planet Neural.
Physical Characteristics
Mugatos are large, intimidating animals that can reach a height of six feet (not including their horns). They are covered by a thick pelt of what is typically white hair all over their bodies with the exception of their faces and hands. They are similar to the great apes of Terra in their physical proportions and prehensile hands and feet. Unlike their Terran counterparts Mugatos are primarily carnivorous. All of their teeth are sharp and serrated and their fangs contain a strong venom that is fatal to humans within a matter of hours. Mugatos have large, thick horns projecting from the top of their craniums as well as smaller spikes running down the spine.
Predatory Behavior
The primary prey of the Mugato is unknown; however, there have been numerous attacks on Neural's humanoid population as well as Starfleet personnel. The mugato will wrestle its prey to the ground in order to bite it and inject it's poison. It will then, presumably, sit back and wait for the prey to die before consuming it.
- The Mugato that attacked Captain Kirk was vaporized by a phaser blast, so whether the animal would have proceeded to eat him could be reasonably questioned.
Mugato Venom
Mugato venom is a toxin that attacks its prey's nervous system. Death is slow and can take several hours in larger animals. The only known cure is the use of the mako root by a female shaman of Neural's Hill People known as a Kahn-ut-tu. The ritual involves the beating of drums and chanting of certain incantations as the mako root is pressed against the victim's wound. The root then seems to convulse of its own power as it draws the toxin out. It is unknown if the ritual itself has anything to do with the healing processes, but the root certainly has an effect of cleansing the body. The anti-toxin ritual also acts as a pseudo-marriage ceremony between the victim and the administering Kahn-ut-tu. (TOS: "A Private Little War")
Background
The Mugato was called the Gumato in the original script; however, DeForest Kelley could not pronounce the name correctly and it was changed. Mugato is frequently mispelled Mugatu in various sources including the Star Trek Compendium and in Ben Stiller's movie Zoolander when it was used as the name of the main villian.
The Mugato appears to be inspired by the film serial Flash Gordon, where it strongly resembles the native Orangopoids from the planet Mongo. These creatures were colloquially known as "The Dreaded Beast of Mongo," where they were often used in ritualistic executions of so-called enemies of the state.
See also: