Wanamingo

Creatures & Mutants · Source: Fallout 2

Wanamingos are among the most alien-looking creatures in the post-war wasteland, and for good reason: they are believed to be either extraterrestrial in origin or the product of highly classified pre-war genetic engineering projects. The name 'wanamingo' is derived from the location of their first documented appearance — the Wanamingo Mine near the town of Redding in New California.

Physically, wanamingos defy easy taxonomic classification. They possess a roughly humanoid body plan but with distinctly non-terran features: a bulbous, eyeless head dominated by a lamprey-like circular mouth lined with rows of teeth, leathery gray-green skin stretched over a surprisingly muscular frame, and clawed appendages on both hands and feet. They move with a hopping, predatory gait and — most alarmingly — possess a form of psionic or sensory ability that allows them to detect prey in complete darkness, compensating for their apparent lack of eyes.

The Wanamingo Mine infestation in 2241 presented a significant threat to the mining community of Redding. Wanamingos nest in dark, subterranean environments, reproducing through an egg-laying process, and the Redding infestation included an enormous Queen specimen that had established a complete breeding colony. The creatures are hostile to all non-wanamingo life and will attack on detection. Their hide is resistant to small-arms fire, and their attacks combine claw strikes with a devastating biting attack that can inflict severe lacerations.

Following the events at Redding, wanamingo populations appeared to decline sharply, with some wasteland researchers speculating that the species was inherently unstable or sterile over successive generations — a common problem with genetically engineered organisms. By 2281, wanamingos were considered effectively extinct or nearly so, though unconfirmed sightings persist in remote subterranean locations.

Tags: Alien, Mutant, Subterranean, Extinct, New California, Mystery, Queen