Kaiimo frontierae, commonly referred to as simply "kaiimo," is a carnivorous Takiloan siloramorph and the only extant species of the genus Kaiimo. It is the most prevalent of the electrokaiimids and can be found all across the Otem mainland.
The namesake of the genus and the Kaiimiformes as a whole, "kaiimo," comes from the Otem name for several of the more derived species within Kaiimidae. Originally, the word was synonymous with "demon," as the early Otem believed that kaiimo were a demonic entity. This superstition was partially caused by the kaiimo's predatory nature and its vague resemblance of the Otem.
The one extant species' namesake, "frontierae," is in honor of the crew of the USS Frontier that had crashed on Takiloa in 2163. James Osbourne named the species when describing it during his time on Takiloa.
Kaiimo frontierae exhibits the same general body structure as the rest of the kaiimids, with the typical "hunchbacked" appearance and ape-like gait.
The most prominent feature of the kaiimo and the namesake of Electrokaiimidae is the kaiimocristae located on its head and upper neck that host the electroreceptors. The kaiimocristae allow the kaiimo to detect electricomagnetic fields within several meters. Kaiimo are capable of flaring thir kaiimocristae outwards to increase their range and for mating or intimidation displays.
Kaiimo, like other electrokaiimids, are sensitive to electromagnetic fields. This sensitivity, which is especially high in the genus Kaiimo, causes the species to become overstimulated and experience immense discomfort and pain when exposed to a high amount of electricity. This is most commonly seen in response to Otem and Human electronics, which has led the kaiimo to perceive advanced civilizations as threats.
Kaiimo exhibit high levels of intelligence and awareness comparable to that of dolphins and apes. They have been reported to utilize their environment to their advantage, which includes tampering with Otem structures and equipment. Kaiimo have been known to watch the Otem to understand patterns, memorize routines, and analyze the basic functions of Otem technology.
During the USS Frontier incident, the Frontier's crew had encountered a group of kaiimo. After being retrieved by the Abilene crew, survivor James Osbourne would frequently mention the behavior of the kaiimo. In an interview in 2169, Osbourne noted: "They took the bodies, and, rather than eating them, toyed with them. They probed and articulated and dissected them, as if they were studying the human anatomy. From where I was, I could see them testing the limits of each joint and opening up the chest and belly to inspect the organs."