Horta - A repulsive rock creature that inhabited the subterranean world of the Planet Janus VI on episode No. 26 "Devil in the Dark" of the sci-fi series STAR TREK/NBC/1966-69. The Horta was an intelligent creature composed of silicone that slithered through makeshift tunnels beneath the planet's surface. These natural born miners burned their way through rock formations digesting minerals with their bodies intense acid excreted from there underside. Their life cycle was 60,000 years at which time they all died with the exception of one creature who protected the storehouse of new eggs which would repopulate the underworld with a new race of Hortas. Unfortunately, this egg chamber was damaged by a group of off-world miners who had set up drilling operations on the planet. Defending its children, the Horta killed over fifty miners. However, future attacks were prevented through the intervention of the Vulcan science officer Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) from the starship Enterprise, who established mental contact with the creature, and helped the Horta to protect its silicone egg nodules. The seven-foot long, three-foot wide Horta was played by Janos Prohaska. 

    

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