Humans
Intelligent Major Race dominating the Third Imperium and several additional interstellar communities. Humans stand approximately 1.8m tall and weigh about 75kg. Descended from omnivore gatherers, humans developed intelligence in response to shifting climatological factors.
The most unusual aspect of Humaniti is the fact that humans are present on many different worlds and stand at various levels of development on those worlds. The Solomani Hypothesis states that Humans evolved on Terra (Solomani Rim/Sol) from indigenous life, and were scattered to many different worlds by an unknown agency (now believed to be the Ancients) for reasons unknown. The result is that many different, parallel human races exist and coexist throughout known space.
The three most widespread human races are the Solomani (humans from Terra), the Vilani (humans from Vland), and the Zhodani (humans from Zhodane). Most branches of Humaniti are interfertile, although some of the more extreme variants are not. For taxonomic purposes, all are included in the family Hominidae, and the vast majority are genus Homo. Solomani and Vilani are H. sapiens sapiens, Zhodani are H. zhdotlas.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humanoid (Hominid)
Bilateral symmetry (2-ial)
Tetrapod (4-ped)
Two limbs used for manipulation "arms"
Former brachiator (still capable climber)
Two limbs used for locomotion (biped) "legs"
Body consists of three segments
- Head with sensors and multiple-use orifice (...consumption, communication, and respiration)
- Thorax with manipulatory limbs
- Abdomen with locomotor limbs
Genetics and Reproduction
Two genders, male and female
Mild sexual dimorphism
Sexual reproduction
Conjugal intercourse
Varied mating systems, primarily serial monogamy with 1 female and 1 male
Viviparous birth
Iteroparous: Uses K-selection and have few offspring, typically one at a time, with multiple oggspring in a single birthing veing very rare.
Growth Rate & Stages
Human offspring take lots of resources and care to raise, and reach maturity after 15 to 20 standard years.
Human lifespan is typically over a century, although the development of anagathics have been able to greatly extend this, but they are expensive and are only available to wealthy individuals.
Ecology and Habitats
Humans thrive on terrestrial worlds with readily available fresh water, and prefer a temperate climate in forests or grasslands. They typically have a gravity tolerance around 1g. Humans typically require clothing and prefer shelter that provides protection from the elements as well as being defensible. Humans are well known to quickly adapt to many different climates and environments. Humans are endothermic, or warm-blooded, and use clothing, shelter and other technology to survive in sub-arctic and even artic climates.
Humans breathe an gaseous mix of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen or other inert gasses, with the remaining trace gases. They use the oxygen for metaboilic processes and expel carbon dioxide as a waste gas.
Humans are primarily a diurnal species and are active by daylight and rest during the night, spending about a third of each standard day asleep. Sleep is an absolute necessity for humans. Sleep deprivation leads to lhysical and mental impairment, and in the extrame can result in psychological trauma and even death.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Humans evolved as omnivorous hunter/gatherer/scavengers. Some humans voluntarily restrict themselves to a vegetarian diet for moral, ethical or religious reasons.
Known for advanced agriculture and livestock husbandry practices.
Regarded as an apex predator, through the use of technology, on their homeworlds.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Perception of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 380 to about 750 nanometers.
Humans hear fairly well, with goot stereo perception and localization ability. They are able to hear sound in the range of 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Their hearing threshold and ability to localize sounds is greatly reduced underwater.
The sense of touch works in several modes that include touch, pressure, tickle, itch, pain, vibration and kinesthesia.
The senses of taste and smell are closely coupled in humans. Taste is centered around food consumption and is triggered by chemical receptors on the tongue, while smell is similarly triggered by chemical receptors when vapors are inhaled through the nose.
Genetic Descendants
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