Pommaks

Pommaks are a fictional species featured in the science fiction novel "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. They are a large, quadrupedal, herbivorous species native to the planet Tines. Physically, pommaks are described as being roughly the size of a rhinoceros, with thick hides and blunt, powerful heads. They possess a unique biological characteristic in that they reproduce by budding, with a smaller pommak growing from the side of the parent and eventually detaching.

In the narrative, pommaks play a role as domestic animals and beasts of burden for the Tines, another intelligent species on the same planet. They are not sentient in the same way as the Tines, but they exhibit a degree of intelligence and responsiveness to their handlers. Their strength and resilience make them valuable for various tasks, including transportation and agriculture within Tines' society. The depiction of pommaks highlights Vinge's world-building, showcasing how different life forms can co-exist and interact within an alien ecosystem. They are a foundational element of the Tines' way of life, contributing to their unique culture and technological development.