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A render of the ichthyosaur from HL2, Black Mesa will use an updated version.

Overview

The Ichthyosaur is a Xenian species encountered at the Black Mesa Research Facility after the Resonance Cascade, first at the chapter Apprehension. It is named after the extinct reptile group the Ichthyosaurs, but only resembles them in size and carnivorous ecology. Its appearance can be described as, reddish-brown skin texture, 2 spike-like front appendages, and a mouth full of long, razor-sharp teeth. The scientist that Gordon Freeman encounters near the area of the cage and the crossbow informs him that he was told the Black Mesa Research Team had hauled in the species for research from the Challenger Deep, but he was certain that the species had "never swam in terrestrial waters until a week ago." (when it made its arrival after being transported from Xen).

Behavior

Ichthyosaurs are very vicious and will attack organisms which enter the water and/or irritate it by attacking it. They seem to swim faster than the player, and use that to their advantage. Ichthyosaurs use their teeth and spike-like appendages to disembowel organisms. The best way to combat them is to use the crossbow, which the scientist referrs to as a tranquilizer gun.

Media