squarenosed

Squarenosed is a fictional humanoid species appearing in speculative fiction and role-playing contexts. The term is used to describe beings whose most distinctive feature is a square-shaped nasal ridge, from which the name "squarenosed" derives. The concept originated in early 21st-century creative writing and has since been adopted by various authors and fan communities to describe a coherent morphotype within shared universes.

Adults typically stand 1.6 to 1.9 meters tall, with a stocky build. The facial feature central to the designation is a prominent square nasal ridge, with four distinct nostril slits arranged at the corners of a square, and often with a mild cranial crest. Skin tones vary from pale gray to earthy brown; eyes are large with slit pupils adapted to low light. Some subgroups exhibit bio-luminescent markings on the cheeks or temples.

They are depicted as ecologically versatile, inhabiting rocky highlands and canyon belts on arid planets. Diet ranges from tough plant matter to small invertebrates; some narratives describe tool use and limited metallurgy. Reproductive biology varies across stories, but generally emphasizes extended kin networks and communal care.

Social organization is typically shown as collective or clan-based, with value placed on craftsmanship, navigation, and memory. Communication employs a combination of vocal, nasal resonance, and body language. In some settings, "squarenosed" is used as a descriptive label rather than a definitive species, reflecting a flexible canon.

In fiction and discussion, Squarenosed is treated as a fictional construct with no single canonical canon, though it has been used to illustrate design choices in worldbuilding and xenobiology.