Le-matya

The le-matya was a large predatory animal, bearing poisonous claws, native to the planet . Le-matyas were known to live in the L-langon Foothills along Vulcan's Forge.
In 2237, Spock encountered and was nearly killed by a le-matya while undergoing his kahs-wan ordeal. Spock was fortunately saved by his pet sehlat, I-Chaya, and his cousin, Selek, who was able to incapacitate the le-matya with a Vulcan nerve pinch. Unfortunately, I-Chaya was injured by the le-matyas claws and, by the time a healer arrived, was beyond meaningful aid. The healer offered Spock a choice: a treatment that would allow the creature a longer, though painful, life or to release him from his suffering. Spock chose the latter option, the most logical choice. This decision was instrumental in his embracing the Vulcan ways of his father. ()
== Appendices ==
=== Background information ===
In the script of "Yesteryear", the species name "le-matya" was consistently underlined, like no other word in the teleplay. Also, the script stated, "a le-matya is a creature resembling a mountain lion… but it is huge, has an almost impenetrable leathery gray hide, and the poison of its claws and fangs is lethal." The creature was evidently animated with more colorful skin shades. 
Sketches for the le-matya also described the creature as a "Vulcan mountain lion". (Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series, p. 40)
For the le-matyas growl, the quite famous call of Godzilla was used from the Japanese films. (Trek Navigator: The Ultimate Guide to the Entire Trek Saga, p. 272; Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series, p. 40) 
The novelization of "Yesteryear" (in Star Trek Log 1) is consistent with the scripted description of the le-matya, referring to it as having a "leathery-grey hide."
===External link===
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Category:Animals
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