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The first stage of the alien lifecycle. Eggs laid by the queen have 2 possibilities which will be stated in the Facehugger section. Eggs have an unknown lifespan, most likely able to survive hostile environments for hundreds of years or more. When approached, they open up to reveal a pink meaty substance (Similar in appearance to chicken breast meat). Some Eggs are slightly transparent when a light is shone on them, allowing viewing of the Facehugger inside.
Facehuggers are the first mobile stage of the alien species. As mentioned before, there are 2 distinct forms of Facehuggers. The normal Facehugger as shown in the picture and then there is a Facehugger with very exaggerated spines on its back. The difference is the normal is a typical worker/warrior type which makes Drones, Runners, Predaliens. The spiny type is a Queen Facehugger such as in Alien³. The Facehugger lays an "egg" in the esophagus of the host partway down to the stomach then crawls away and dies.
The Chestburster is the third stage in the Xenomorph biology. It is possibly one of the most amazing stages, where during gestation, it picks up DNA information of its host. This could be done for a number of reasons, one of which could be for possible adaptation to the outside environment. The gestation for the chesburster ranges from 3 days to one week. After the period of gestation, birth occurs, which is possibly one of the most disturbing features of the Xenomorph life cycle. The birth consists of a violent eruption of the Chestburster from the ribcage of the infected host, hence the name, Chestburster.
The Chestburster then finds a quiet, out of the way place to hid for a few hours until it molts into an adult strain.
The Worker Drone could be primarily classified as the last, or adult stage in the Xenomorph lifecycle. The Worker Drone, as it's name pertains, is based for work around the Hive, and helping to make the Hive more prosperous in many different ways, in doing simple tasks for the hive and the Queen such as food and host retrieval, tending to the Queen and Eggs and basic protection of the hive. However despite its duties, the Worker Drone could also be called on for defense or attack purposes in desperate situations, for instance, whenever any foreign individuals enter the Hive.
The primary way of identifying a Worker from a Warrior Drone is by the ridged skull features of the Worker.
The Warrior Drone caste's sole purpose is protection of the hive though fearless, attacks with mass numbers of Warriors, swarming over an intruder like in a disturbed ant or bee hive. They have no regards for their own lives and willingly sacrifice themselves in order to benefit the hive. An example of this is a few drones being held captive and killing off one of their number and using the acid blood to melt an escape hole.
The main visible difference between Worker and Warrior of course, as stated above, is the smooth head. It is also likely the Warrior has increased armour, speed and strength than the Worker Drone.
Warriors have been known to lie in wait, perhaps dormant in a hive, embedded in the hive walls and almost invisible among the pattern of hive texture. It is likely that the Queen wakes them with a telepathic message.
The K-Series Xenomorphs were created by a human experiment but quickly and violently broke free and escaped into the universe. This aberrant strain is very destructive, not only to other species but to the original strains of Xenomorphs as well. The only caste of this strain are Drones, which are almost the same as typical Drones other than colouring, K-Series ones being a white, yellow and green scheme.
The Runner is a Xenomorph strain that is known primarily for its low- key appearance and low rank within the Hive Hierarchy. The Xenomorph Runner is a result of the embryonic impregnation of a quadruped host, in most cases of a canine or dog host, hence the name Dog Alien. With the embryo taking attributes from the host's DNA in order to become more adapted to the environment outside, the Runner is a direct result of this process. The Runner therefore features only a quadrupedal form as a means of locomotion, as opposed to the drone which can switch from bipedal to quadrupedal and back. The spine-like tubes, similar to the ones seen on basic Xenomorph Drones, are absent , theoretically for the purposes of better mobility, i.e. rotation of the head in the quadrupedal stance.
A Spitter is not much different than a normal runner strain with the exception that it has the ability to spit a stream of acid. The acid is very similar, perhaps identical, to the alien's acidic blood, molecular acid. It is also likely this upgraded strain has additional benefits as well over the base Runner.
The Predator-Alien Hybrid, better known as the "Predalien", is another perfect example of DNA adaptation. The Predalien is a result of embryonic impregnation of a "Yautja" or predator species, and is born into this world with enhanced features. The Predalien is much different then its Drone counterpart, as most of its physical features have been enhanced by the DNA mix between the species. The Predalien features mandibles, enhanced strength, and the spines on the back. One could say that the behavior of the Predalien is quite similar to a basic drone, however being mixed with the DNA of a predator, it could also be more likely that the Predalien could be extremely hostile, making it a perfect heavy-support warrior for the Hive.
The Ultra Predalien is a mutated strain of Predalien. This version features a very distinctive and unique exoskeleton as can be seen in the picture. This strain also has greatly increased strength than the base Predalien.
Flyers are a very rare strain of Xenomorph, having only been observed on one world. It is believed that they are the result of a facehugger infecting an avian species. Overall, they are basically Drone-like with the exception of being built lighter and, of course, with wings. Flyer is perhaps a misleading name as these Xenomorphs do not fly, but have the ability to glide. They swoop down on prey, hosts and enemies of the hive, either pulling them up into the air for a headbite or impaling them on the ground with their tails. Flocks of Flyers are very, very dangerous.
The Praetorian is perhaps one of the most interesting strains in the Xenomorph biology. Its primary role within the Hive is to guard key locations of importance or interests and if nothing else, to protect the Queen herself. The physical features of the Praetorian are very elegant and its appearance look very similar to the Queen. It has a crown-like skull crest, greater height, and powerful strength. The Behavior of the Praetorian is possibly one of the most graphic and intense of all the strains, excluding the Queen. Not only is it 'programmed' to automatically become hostile to any foreign intruder of the Hive, but also with the molting process, it can emit pheromones that enrage other strains.
Praetorians are thought to be potential, juvenile forms of Queens, and when needed, can evolved into the massive Egg-layers. It has also been observed that drones, in a time of need, can turn into Queens themselves, and perhaps, Praetorians are simply drones in the state of becoming Queens.
The Queen is the dominant leader within a Hive hierarchy and her primary role is to provide eggs and advance the Hive territory in any way necessary. It is possible that the Queen communicates to her workers and other members of the hive through telepathical means. It is also likely that the Queen has a very high IQ, or advanced intelligence. Queens have shown themselves to be self-aware and capable of planning and traps. No matter what though, she will defend her hive or chase down opposing threats without mercy.
Queens are generally only found at the centre of the hive, connected to an egg sac and ovipositor, though in desperate situations, they have been known to tear themselves free and launch a massive attack.
Queens are also the only Xenomorph, aside from Chestbursters, to exhibit self-preservation tendancies.
Not much is known about this matriarch of matriarchs. She is kept well hidden, deep in the biggest of alien hives. It is also not known if there is more than one Über Queen in existence. What is known is that she poses incredible telepathic powers, able to influence aliens and some humans alike from probably thousands of light years away. Her intelligence is comparable to the most intelligent of humans, and even seems to posses, or at least understand, language and uses words, transmitted telepathically, to control the humans under her influence.