I genuinely love how different takes on andalites (and other aliens) can be. So here’s mine! Largely based on the design raptorscribbles​ made for me a while back.

There is famously only one Andalite host, claimed permanently by the current Visser Three. Many Earth-adjacent Yeerks polled claimed they would not want Andalites of their own until asked to consider the hypothetical that these were common hosts available to many and would not cause them to stand out. At that point, the idea became much more popular.

The bodies of the Yeerk Empire’s former benefactors have plenty to recommend them, from speed and agility to fine motor control to amazing senses and those tails. Much has been made of thought-speech, though Andalites are far from the only species to have this ability, and of the inherent satisfaction that would come with taking one. Their technology is another incredible draw. Andalites like to build marvels seamlessly into their bodies so that they cannot be removed as easily as Shredder beams or ships.

As with most hosts the ears are the best point of access; Andalite ears are densely furred enough to slow access, but regular use of one ear seems to wear down the follicles. They also appear to breed slowly and take a very long time to grow to a useful size. But if the current one is any example, the primary difficulty associated with an Andalite host is containment while its Yeerk is feeding. Especially when the host has the morphing power and cannot easily be restrained. Fortunately, that very power means that any damage inflicted on the host is transient.