Monster Hunters Incorporated: The Truth Behind the Myths

MHI-003: Reptilians

Aliens are no laughing matter in science fiction. They're smarter, stronger, and just overall better than any human. And if they live among us, all the more terrifying. Thanks to modern science, however, we now know that reptilians are descendants of Earth.

MHI-003, or reptilians, are a race of relatively humanoid lizards that occur in or around cave systems in the continental United States. Reptilians, on average, can stand up to three meters tall on their hind legs though some specimens have been observed growing to up to four meters tall. The torso and arms of a reptilian seem to be the most human part of their anatomy, with the only difference seeming to be that they are covered in scales.

The hands have five digits which are arrayed in a pattern strikingly similar to humans save for the fact that each digit ends in a long, sharp claw. The legs are unique as well, resembling those of what some predatory dinosaurs are thought to have, with a short, blunt claw at the end of each toe. Reptilians also have a tail that begins at the base of their spine and can be as long as three meters, depending on the subject.

Perhaps the most interesting physical attribute of a reptilian is its head. At first, the head seems to look a lot like that of a lizard's but the head doesn't match any lizard known today. The eyes are large and forward-facing, with slit pupils to take in minimal light and the ear openings are also larger than a usual lizard. A forked tongue protrudes from the mouth and draws back in, allowing it to smell in much the same manner as a monitor lizard. The mouth is also filled with sharp teeth perfectly suited for slicing up flesh. Lastly, a series of horns protrude from the back of the skull and a series of small spines run down the length of the animal's back.

The entire body of a reptilian is covered in thick scales that do not overlap. Some of these scales, such as the ones that cover the torso and head, are tough enough to stop bullets from some assault rifles. The claws on the hands can be up to ten centimeters long and are remarkably strong, able to rip through steel up to three centimeters thick.

Reptilians themselves are also extraordinarily powerful. They can lift twice their body weight in peak condition and jump three times their body length with their legs. This means that a full-grown adult could lift about 1200 pounds and leap almost ten meters in a single bound. The jaws are powerful as well. Although no one has been able to get an accurate measurement, it's thought that the jaws could exert a force of about 2000 psi, similar to a crocodile.

Reptilians were first discovered in 1584 by a group of conquistadors and accompanying missionaries. They were making their way through what would become New Mexico when they stumbled upon what's now known as the Carlsbad Caverns. Out of the fifty or so men that went on the journey, only two made it back to the town they had come from. The survivors were covered in scratches, bites, and bruises so severe the doctors claimed they were the luckiest men in the world for them to still be alive. As their wounds were being treated, the men were questioned about what had happened to the others.

The men said that they had just entered the cave mouth when a loud hissing noise began to echo off the cave walls. As the men huddled together, looking for a cause for the noise, it began to grow louder. The men could only look in horror and vain as the noise became almost deafening. It was then that everything became deathly quiet. There was no sound from within the cave. Not even the birds outside had been singing. It was then that a big group of giant lizards landed on the men and began to rip them apart.

The two men recounted at how they dispatched the others with extreme cruelty. Some were shredded by claws. Others bitten in half. Still others grabbed by their feet and swung against the stalagmites, impaled on them. One of the men stated how he had seen one of the creatures grab the commander, force him down, and begin to eat his liver while he was still alive.