Pelamines
Basic Information
Anatomy
Pelamines are quadrupeds with six limbs, the upper two serving as arms. They have a beaked mouth, with the beak consisting of three plates, and large eyes with elongated elliptical pupils. They have fleshy whiskers and nodules on their bodies which serve as sensory organs. Their ears are large, flat and serve as communication aids. Marine pelamines naturally have a long, muscular tail for swimming, while terrestrial pelamines and assimilated marine pelamines who have had amputations do not.
Genetics and Reproduction
Pelamines are gynandrous and a typical individual can both impregnate another and get pregnant themselves. They lay soft-shelled eggs which must be kept somewhere moist until hatching.
Ecology and Habitats
Historically, pelamines were an amphibious species. Over time, as some began to live for longer periods on the land, they split into two subspecies. Modern terrestrial pelamines are only as interested in being in the water as any other species (which isn't much). Marine pelamines, however, still live along coastlines in communities that spend much of their time in the water and still employ traditional methods of living and cultural practices in their daily lives. Marine pelamines grow plants and even rear livestock in underwater farms that they carefully curate and tend to. They are, however, extremely susceptible to pollution of the water they live in.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Pelamines are omnivores, primarily eating plant matter but also consuming a wide variety of seafoods, historically. Modern pelamines will eat just about anything, but an ideal diet for them still mimics the plant-to-animal ratio.
Civilization and Culture
Gender Ideals
In many mainstream societies, pelamines use a three-gender system - male, neutral and female - based on their preferred role in reproduction. Those willing to impregnate but not get pregnant are male; those content with either are neutral; those who prefer to get pregnant rather than impregnate are female. They are often urged to make this choice very early, however, and those who identify as neutral tend to be forced into a box one way or the other. Alternatively, a society-wide neutral approach may be taken, though this is less common.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Pelamines are fairly closely related to sascids and terrestrial pelamines have a long history of living harmoniously among them; being of similar size and stature, no major structural adjustments need to be made for them and sascid diets and living conditions easily encompass what is comfortable for pelamines. Terrestrial pelamines' most notable conflict is that with their marine counterparts; along with members of the other species in mainland societies, they see them as simple, backwards and deliberately uncooperative in their refusal to give up their traditional waters and ways of life. Some marine pelamines, unable or unwilling to cope with the pressure put on their communities, may abandon the water and adopt a terrestrial lifestyle.
Lifespan
80-90 years
Average Height
1.2-1.7m
Average Weight
90kg
Average Length
1-1.5m
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Dull purple, pink and brown when fired down. Black, white & high-contrast bicolour (any colours) when fired up.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments