Ecological monsters are created by nature. Like the
gill-man from the Black Lagoon, King Kong, and Godzilla, they are remnants from
the past who live apart from human civilization. Wise native neighbors are aware
of the power held by these seldom seen species and show deference for their
territory. As long as they are not offended, ecological monsters are not usually
malicious. However, if humankind should intrude upon their territory and--worse--commit
some crime against the environment in which an ecological monster lives, then
he or she is likely to become defensive. Therefore, ecological sinners are often
punished by these creatures.
Isolation and scarcity affect the monster's social
growth. The ecological monster develops without the cultural traditions contained
in human cultures. When an eco-monster attempts to establish non-violent contact,
it is often misinterpreted or deemed inappropriate. Particularly this problem
arises in the presence of the opposite sex where social rituals are highly acculturated
and difficult for foreigners to navigate. In these ways, the eco-monster is
like an adolescent trying to figure out how to balance his or her animal instinct
with unspoken social etiquette. Secondly, the eco-monster has distinct physical
differences from humans. Humans are often frightened by differences when they
are not well-understood and eco-monsters are misunderstood. As with a werewolf,
the gill-man, and Kong, the monster is often perceived as less evolved and therefore
inadequate as a potential friend or mate. Finding no place permitted for him
or her, the frustration drives the monster into violent reprecussions. Often
this leads to its own destruction at the hands of the dominant species...tool-using
humans.