Animus xenos

Animus xenos, also known as whistlers, is a zoafreyan species that exhibits human-like intelligence. The generic name comes from the Latin word animus meaning "mind" and the specific name comes from the Greek word xénos meaning "alien." It is the most intelligent species of Freya.

Description
A. xenos has a centaur-like body with four legs and two grasping arms. It’s barrel-shaped body and long, powerful legs is comparable to a horse. It’s long arms are situated just above the front legs and fold closely against the body. The head is supported by a long, muscular neck, and is large and roughy cone-shaped. Two short and stout eyestalks are placed on the sides of of the head and feature dark vertical eyes. Its muscular kormostoma can extend beyond the mouth cavity and is tipped with dextrous “fingers” that aid in manipulating food. Colors can range from grey, brown, reddish-brown, with leucistic and melanistic forms not being uncommon. Textures can be solid, blotched, or mottled.

Discovery
The River City was discovered soon after Frey was mapped by the Freya Orbital Research Station. The structures on the island were quickly determined to be artificial and an automated rotorcraft was sent to investigate. Some of the images taken show A. xeno. Their binomial name was proposed and was soon officialized.

First encounters
Not long after McCoy Colony was established, a research vessel ventured up the Sandoval River. The vessel arrived at The River City and was unable to round the island due to bridges connecting to the river's banks. The crew was cautious and remained within the vessel but many photographs were taken. The vessel then went back downriver and later returned to McCoy Colony.