2012

Doctor Who

The Vashta Nerada, translating to "the shadows that devour," are a carnivorous species featured in the British science fiction television program, Doctor Who. They are microscopic, tree-dwelling predators that exist in swarms.

Originally inhabitants of planets with dense forests, the Vashta Nerada can exist wherever wood-pulp is present. They are predatory pack hunters, able to strip a being to the bone in seconds. They are not inherently evil but act out of primal instinct for survival.

Notable appearances include the two-part story "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead" (2008), where they infested a vast library planet. These episodes highlight their unique ability to mimic the shadows of their prey, leading to terrifying and often unseen attacks.

The Vashta Nerada pose a significant threat due to their ubiquity and adaptability. Their microscopic size and reliance on shadows make them difficult to detect and combat, rendering them a formidable adversary for the Doctor.