Tosk

Tosk, meaning "The Hunted", were a race of reptilian-humanoids from the Gamma Quadrant.

They were bred and trained to become the quarry in a ritual hunt for another race, known as the Hunters. Tosk were only sentient because the Hunters made them this way (this implies a degree of genetic engineering on their part). The meaning of life for a Tosk was to outsmart the Hunters for another day. The only greater dishonor for a Tosk than being captured and returned to their home planet alive was to seek protection from another race. They took an oath of silence regarding the hunt preventing them from even talking about it with anyone else. The Tosk were treated with respect and admiration by the Hunters.

Tosk were well equipped to outsmart their hunters, presumably to make the hunt as exciting and interesting for the Hunters as possible. Tosk could make themselves invisible to the naked eye (although, sensors could still locate them, and the Hunters had a device in their helmets that could scan for them). They also had great agility and only required 17 minutes of rest per rotation. Tosk kept liquid nutrients stored in plasmic fibers throughout their bodies.

In 2369, a Tosk became the first visitor to the Alpha Quadrant through the Bajoran wormhole. He was convinced to dock at Starbase Deep Space 9 for repairs. The Tosk's ship was a one-person vessel, with standard systems, which enabled Chief O'Brien to repair his ship easily. O'Brien later helped the Tosk evade the Hunters, to retain his honor, rather than be captured alive. 

Memorable Quotes
"I am Tosk."

"That's your name, or your species?"

"I am Tosk."
 * - Tosk and O'Brien

"How about you... are you an explorer, or scientist?"

"I am Tosk."
 * - O'Brien and Tosk

"I am Tosk."

"I'm sure you are."
 * - Tosk and Odo

"I am sorry. I have no vices for you to exploit."


 * - Tosk speaking to Quark

Background Information
The Tosk seen in "Captive Pursuit" was played by Scott MacDonald and was the only Tosk to ever appear in a canon production.

It was possible that the Tosk and the Jem'Hadar are somehow related as the two races share traits, as well as their cloaking ability. The script for stated that the shrouding ability of the two was to be identical.

According to the Star Trek: Star Charts, on page 74, the system where this species came from wasn't identified. Their homeworld orbited a Class K star. It had a magnitude of +9.

External link


Tosk Tosk