Kamchrul

The Kamchrul (Kamchrul: Krããmčrul [kˣãːmt͡ʃˣuɫ]) are a sophont species inhabiting the planet Taench. They are known to be predominantly pacifists, and known for their hospitality.

Biology

The Kamchrul are descended from a species of opportunistic predators from the clade of dactyloherpids. They are covered with a thin coat of soft fur, with common coat colours being in brown, red, grey, or black, less commonly in white. Its head is a rough oblong sphere, with one singular eye, and an oronasal slit below it, curving to form the characteristic 'Kamchrul smile'. A series of muscles allow Kamchrul to open its oronasal slit, which contains a pair of retractable feeding proboscides and two nostrils. Additionallt it also contains the phonoestricum, an organ that is responsible for both Kamchrul speech and sexual reproduction. The Kamchrul are biological hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female organs within their phonoestricum.

The Kamchrul has four legs with three digits that have keratinous hooves. When amublating, the digits enter into a sort of scuttling motion that allows for the Kamchrul's torso and head to remain relatively stable. When in sprint, the digits cease to move independently, and (epsecially those on their hind legs) use them to spring off the ground.

Reproduction

The phonoestricum, an organ common to most Taenchian fauna, is the Taenchian reproductive organ and larynx. During their anestrous phase, the hormone libidostatin suppresses the nerve sensitivities in the phonoestricum, preventing unwanted sexual functions becoming activated during phonation.

During estrus, usually lasting 15 to 30 hours, a Kamchrul may choose to avoid phonation to prevent triggering the accidental release of gametes. Other Kamchrul, especially mates or bonded members, repond particularly strongly to Kamchrul in estrus due to the release of pheromones. Upon detecting pheromones from a Kamchrul in estrus, a anestrous Kamchrul may have their libidostatin levels temporarily drop, allowing for reproduction and the transfer of gametes to occur.

The Kamchrul that receives the gametes, upon detecting foreign gametes within their phonoestricum, will immediately suppress their own gamete release mechanisms, and store foreign gametes to fertilize their own eggs. After a gestation period of 230 to 250 days, a Kamchrul may typically give birth to a litter of four to seven pups.