Kantamans

Kantamans are a fictional species featured in the science fiction novel "Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky. They are an advanced, insectoid race that evolved on the planet Shel Tel. Kantamans possess a hive-like social structure with a queen at the center of their society, though this structure is more fluid and less rigidly hierarchical than a typical ant colony. They are known for their intelligence, technological prowess, and sophisticated understanding of their environment.

The Kantamans evolved from spiders, inheriting their eight legs, multiple eyes, and silk-spinning abilities. Over generations, they developed complex communication methods, including pheromonal signals and intricate vibrational patterns. They have built impressive cities and advanced infrastructure, demonstrating a capacity for large-scale engineering and scientific discovery. Their society is characterized by a strong sense of collective purpose, with individuals working cooperatively for the betterment of the hive.

In the narrative of "Children of Time," the Kantamans become a significant presence as humanity's starship, the *Gilgamesh*, arrives in their solar system. Their interactions with the human survivors form a central conflict and explore themes of interspecies understanding, prejudice, and the definition of intelligence. The Kantamans are portrayed as a formidable and ultimately wise species, whose alien perspective challenges human assumptions about life and civilization.