The Wraith need to feed on Humans?

[Crewman47]

I'm not sure how far they went into explaining why the Wraith need to feed on Humans but was it ever explained why the Wraith can't feed on other similar animals, like primates, the same way they feed on Humans or is it only something that is biologically unique to humans that they must, and can, only feed on them?

I do know that it has been mentioned that Wraith can consume food by mouth but sucking the life force from something can't just be restricted to Humans?

 

[SG-17]

The Wraith evolved because of the integration human DNA into the Iratus bug. Only creatures with human DNA are compatible food sources, which is also why they can feed on each other.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

The Wraith must be written to feed solely on humans or else their dramatic oomph goes bye-bye. We have to accept whatever bug-DNA fribble they need to whomp up to accomplish that.

 

[The Wormhole]

We do know Wraith can feed on other Wraith, that guy in The Defiant One fed on his friends. This seemed to be ignored later when the Wraith wanted the drug to turn other Wraith into Michaels so that they could feed on them. Maybe humans are just more tasty than other Wraith?

 

[David cgc]

Or there are drawbacks to cannibalism. I mean, it's not exactly part of a balanced breakfast in the real world. I recall that Mad Cow disease was spread amongst that population by feeding cows to other cows.

 

[RoJoHen]

Wraith only feed on other Wraith when there is no other option. It keeps them alive, but I'm sure it doesn't satiate them the way humans do.

 

[Star Wolf]

The Wraith must be written to feed solely on humans or else their dramatic oomph goes bye-bye. We have to accept whatever bug-DNA fribble they need to whomp up to accomplish that.

I agree if they can feed on rats like the vampires of the Buffy franchise then a different reason has to be found why we can't negotiate with them.

But then I only have seen a few episodes didn't humans start negotiating with them and some become worshipers?

 

[The Wormhole]

But then I only have seen a few episodes didn't humans start negotiating with them and some become worshipers?

There are "Wraith Worshippers" - humans who willingly serve the Wraith. Some are even aboard the hive ships and help the Wraith interrogate prisoners.

Wraith Worshippers are considered pariahs on most human planets around the Pegasus galaxy, and the populations have a tendancy to execute someone on the spot who is even accused of being a Wraith Worshipper.

 

[Kai Winn]

I'm not sure how far they went into explaining why the Wraith need to feed on Humans but was it ever explained why the Wraith can't feed on other similar animals, like primates, the same way they feed on Humans or is it only something that is biologically unique to humans that they must, and can, only feed on them?

I do know that it has been mentioned that Wraith can consume food by mouth but sucking the life force from something can't just be restricted to Humans?

the suckers in the palms of the wraiths might not work on fur. humans have the ability to spread around rapidly by themselves, is it not better than to domesticate another food supply?

 

[Star Wolf]

I'm not sure how far they went into explaining why the Wraith need to feed on Humans but was it ever explained why the Wraith can't feed on other similar animals, like primates, the same way they feed on Humans or is it only something that is biologically unique to humans that they must, and can, only feed on them?

I do know that it has been mentioned that Wraith can consume food by mouth but sucking the life force from something can't just be restricted to Humans?

the suckers in the palms of the wraiths might not work on fur. humans have the ability to spread around rapidly by themselves, is it not better than to domesticate another food supply?

They have starships they couldn't learn to shave their cattle rather then fight a species almost as or more lethal as they are? It would be like a human ignoring a cow to feed on lions.

 

[Kai Winn]

are you kidding? a chimp has five times the upper body strenght of a human male of the same weight, and while apes are rare, humans are numerous. the wraith defeated the asgard and the ancients, and the remaining humans were by no means a match. neither their technology, nor their physical abilities. only the most outstanding humans, the runners, could keep up, but didn't have the ability to recover from injury almost instantly. regular culling put the brakes on development, and none of the planets seen in sga had a human population that promised development at all. weren't the wraiths keen to visit earth because its population was greater than that of their entire galaxy combined? potentially lethal only.

 

[Star Wolf]

are you kidding? a chimp has five times the upper body strenght of a human male of the same weight, and while apes are rare, humans are numerous. the wraith defeated the asgard and the ancients, and the remaining humans were by no means a match. neither their technology, nor their physical abilities. only the most outstanding humans, the runners, could keep up, but didn't have the ability to recover from injury almost instantly. regular culling put the brakes on development, and none of the planets seen in sga had a human population that promised development at all. weren't the wraiths keen to visit earth because its population was greater than that of their entire galaxy combined? potentially lethal only.

And only on The Planet of The Apes have chimps built P90 machine pistols. Just as a tiger is not a match for a properly armed infantry squad with their great speed and strength you don't hunt tigers as your primary food source when cows are around. And I saw the last episode, people won, not the Wraith

 

[Bonzo the Fifth]

It might also be germane to point out that, from everything I remember, humans were the only Earth species transplanted to the Pegasus galaxy... no primate, no rats... likely humans are the only thing even remotely sapient in Wraith territory, which kind of puts a crimp an any alternative food supply plans for the Wraith...

 

[TiberiusMaximus]

They evolved a humanoid shape from the Iratus Bug to more easily prey on/keep up with humans. If they had preyed on cows, they would have evolved a bovinoid shape...and that wouldn't make good TV.

 

[cylkoth]

If they had preyed on cows, they would have evolved a bovinoid shape...and that wouldn't make good TV.

Oh yes it would've... Can't you just see it..bovinoid Wraith sneak up on McKay and attempt to feed on him...using their udders.

 

[The Wormhole]

If they had preyed on cows, they would have evolved a bovinoid shape...and that wouldn't make good TV.

Oh yes it would've... Can't you just see it..bovinoid Wraith sneak up on McKay and attempt to feed on him...using their udders.

Actually I'm thinking of how awesome the climax of Sateda could have been. Imagine, Ronon facing off against a huge scary looking mutant cow/man/Wraith. It would have been awesome.

 

[RoJoHen]

Do they have cows in Vancouver?

 

[TiberiusMaximus]

If they had preyed on cows, they would have evolved a bovinoid shape...and that wouldn't make good TV.

Oh yes it would've... Can't you just see it..bovinoid Wraith sneak up on McKay and attempt to feed on him...using their udders.

Actually I'm thinking of how awesome the climax of Sateda could have been. Imagine, Ronon facing off against a huge scary looking mutant cow/man/Wraith. It would have been awesome.

Poor McKay would probably develop acute bovinaphobia, a condition he could never adequately explain to his family back on Earth.

 

[Meredith]

Sheppard and McKay would go Wraith Cow tipping... LOL

 

[BenRoethig]

We do know Wraith can feed on other Wraith, that guy in The Defiant One fed on his friends. This seemed to be ignored later when the Wraith wanted the drug to turn other Wraith into Michaels so that they could feed on them. Maybe humans are just more tasty than other Wraith?

Not ignored, turning them into humans just makes it much easier. It increases the food supply while decreasing competition. Even when hungry you're not going to see a pirana pack go after another healthy adult pack. Take away their teeth and its a completely different story.