We encountered this amazing creature in the brilliant Devil In The Dark. She at first seemed to be a marauding monster, but it turned out she was actually a highly intelligent silicon-based lifeform that was only trying to defend her nest of eggs from careless miners.
Kirk and Spock managed to injure her while defending themselves from attack, but later, Kirk pitied her, and ordered McCoy to try to heal her.
Spock learned, by mind-melding with her, that she was the mother of her race, the last adult Horta left alive. It was her task to protect the thousands of eggs and raise the youngsters when they hatched.
McCoy cleverly bandaged her wound with cement, and succeeded in saving her life.
Kirk negotiated on behalf of the Horta with the miners, and convinced the miners and the Horta to forgive each other, to co-operate, and to co-exist in peace.
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