Na’vi hunt and catch a variety of animals that are available in their different biomes. Common prey are yerik (hexapede), talioang (sturmbeest), teylu (grubs), fwampop (tapirus), syaksyuk (prolemuris), and various types of payoang (fish). Along with the talioang, the yerik (below) is one of the main animals responsible for the survival of the Na’vi. They are the Pandoran equivalent of deer and are widely available, found in forests, plains, subarctic tundra, and mountainous regions. By tradition, the yerik is the first animal that a prospective warrior is allowed to kill when making the rite of passage from child to adult.
Talioang, as the Pandoran equivalent of bison, are much larger than yerik and more difficult to hunt. When hunted, the herd will stampede. For a successful hunt, it takes a tarpongu (hunting party) of ikran and pa’li riders to keep up with them and make a clean kill.
Teylu are the other main source of protein for the Na’vi. They are similar to a jumbo shrimp, being a grub, and are slightly sweet. Teylu are usually steamed, but the Na’vi also cook them with vegetables on a stick over an open fire, similar to Terran shish kebab.
Across Pandora there are many other species of teylu, all highly coveted for their abundance and protein.
In the Western Frontier, the Zeswa of the plains hunt the fast arrow deer (below, left), or winzaw, while the Kame’tire hunt the meer deer (below, right), or syìl. The syìl is a nervous creature, quick to flee.
As such, it is best approached quietly as it digs at the ground. A successful catch is often celebrated as a greater feat than hunting more dangerous creatures, as only a Na’vi with great skill and perseverance will be successful in making the meer deer their dinner.
The Zeswa base their diet around the milk of the zakru—giant creatures with whom they live harmoniously. The clan’s respected dairy masters extract and use the milk to produce various cheeses and a fermented drink called zangke.
There are three main fish species hunted by the Na’vi of the Western Frontier.
Buoyfish, or lìngpay (left, top), are a popular choice of protein in food dishes. This is thanks to their sweet, yet meaty flavor, as well as their abundance across the continent. Lìngpay from different regions harbor different flavors due to the different river creatures the lìngpay consumes in different biomes.
Mudcrawler fish, or tslikllte (left, middle), are one of the first creatures hunted by young Na’vi in the Western Frontier, as they learn to shoot with a bow and arrow.
Thirdly, due to their abundance in rivers across the Western Frontier, octofin fish, or pekavol (left, below), are commonly consumed by a variety of Na’vi clans.
Across Pandora, the dangerous dinicthoids, or srakat (below), are a prized food for the Na’vi, who consider it a sign of courage to confront the fish.