Mandrel

Mandrels were large, dangerous predators.

Biology
Mandrels were humanoid creatures native to the planet Eden. Mandrels were tall creatures covered in red scales and dark fur. On their furry heads were large, glowing green eyes and a fanlike mouth from which several fronds dangled. Their long arms ended in clawed hands, and their legs, with bands of hair at the bottom, flared out to a grey pad underneath. Although they were not very intelligent, they made up for this with their loud roar and the vicious swipes of their claws with which they fatally wounded people. It was not entirely clear how they killed people; some seemed to drop dead at the mere touch of a Mandrel, perhaps indicating that the creatures were very strong. However, others were able to survive the attacks, so perhaps some of the Mandrels' victims simply had weak hearts. They were usually to be found in a violent rage, but could be calmed with a dog whistle. When thus entranced, they made a keening sound rather like whalesong.

Mandrels were dangerous predators, able to easily kill a human. They were absurdly tough, and able to survive repeated laser blasts - although it either stunned them or forced them to retreat. The only known method to kill a Mandrel was electrocution. Luckily, they weren't especially intelligent and could easily be fooled.

They had the unusual characteristic that they decomposed down into a pile of lumpy white powder, the dangerous, addictive drug vraxoin, after being electrocuted. (TV: Nightmare of Eden)


 * Based on the alternate source of vraxoin, Mandrels may actually be fungus-based.

History
As part of a ritual to summon Artemis in 1976, which required the blood of five species whose destinies had been affected by the Time Lords, the Monk included the blood of a Mandrel. (PROSE: No Future)

As shown in the Anubian Book of Deliverance, the Anubians attacked the Mandrels. (TV: Curse of Anubis)

The Eleventh Doctor once recounted saving the actor Peter Capaldi from a Mandrel. (COMIC: The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who)

In 2116, Tryst tried to smuggle vraxoin in the form of Mandrels. A section of Eden with Mandrels was captured with a Continuous Event Transmuter. When the ship they were travelling in crashed, the Mandrels were accidentally released. The Fourth Doctor and Romana II returned the Mandrels, repaired the machine and planned to return the Mandrels to their homeworld. (TV: Nightmare of Eden)