Houndeye

"Did you see that thing, with the missing leg?"

- Black Mesa Security Guard

The Houndeye is one of the alien species which appears in Black Mesa following the Black Mesa Incident.

Overview
Possessing only three legs and a thorax, the Houndeye is a faint yellow-green in color, with electric blue tiger-like stripes adorning the spine of the animal. In place of a head there is a large, black, compound eye that is protected by a single eyelid. They apparently communicate through a series of high-pitched sounds somewhat similar to the barking of dogs.



The Houndeye is an excellent example of a social animal in terms of pack hunting. While a shy and timid creature by itself, groups of three or more display resonant behavior, emitting destructive harmonics capable of injuring those they attack. Their eye turns red as it uses these harmonics. This behavior came about through Valve's original plan of Houndeyes being neutral or even friendly towards the player, until they realized that play testers mowed them down regardless and dropped the idea.

Although they are not seen displaying this trait often, Houndeyes appear to be carnivorous creatures, as one is seen eating a dead security guard in Half-Life: Blue Shift. A Houndeye's mouth is located on the underside of its belly, close to the eye, filled with what appears to be fang-like incisors.

Behind the scenes

 * According to the book Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, Houndeyes were one of the enemy types in the early Half-Life 2, first seen by the player on an old projector slide in which they and bullsquids are terrorizing an American suburb. The texture for the Houndeye's compound eye was to shine and could reflect its surroundings. Houndeyes could also work in herds, led by a dominant Houndeye, and had faster movement speeds.
 * According to Ted Backman, its anatomy was inspired by a huge three-legged tabby cat named Tripod that lived in his neighborhood as a child.