Creature:Ginkan

Ginkans are an insectoid species living originating on the planet, in the Exterioris sector of the Andromeda Galaxy.

Basic Physiological Traits
Ginkans are a race of sentient carnivorous invertebrates. They have a closed circulatory system, as well as lungs, allowing them to grow much larger than most non-sentient invertebrates. They can commonly reach heights as great as 6 feet tall upon maturity.

Physiological traits that all ginkans share include: Six limbs: a pair of legs, a pair of “primary” arms, and a small pair of “secondary” arms. A single eye that is capable of needing very low levels of light to funcion. A large “horncrest:” Three curved horns, going down the head and neck area with two twisted horns flanking the foremost curved horn. These were used often to attack in prehistoric times, but they are still incorporated in Ginkan martial arts. Two facial plates run somewhat parallel to the mandibles. These help protect the face when charging head on. These also funcion to funnel sound into the Ginkan’s ear holes, which are situated just above the mandibles. Two holes in the side of the head supply the lungs with air. These house many scent receptors. They are capable of closing up, as well as pushing unwanted material out in a similar way that other races cough. Males and Females look and sound very similar, however they give off different pheromones that differentiate the two. These smells are diverse enough that a Gingka can tell two females apart by smell alone (and vice versa).

Life Cycle
Egg (0 years): A female Ginkan will lay her eggs in selected birthing nests. Caretakers take over for the care of the eggs from then on. Larva (Hatching-20 years): The Ginkan hatches, and is in a larval form for the next 35 years. It is totally dependant on its caretakers, and exhibits next to no personality as its only activities consist of eating, and sleeping. Most of the food eaten is stored to be used in the next stage of life. Pupa (20-30 years): The Ginkan larva pupates, and remains motionless. All energy stored in the larval stage is used as the Ginkan pupa grows to maturity. It is common for caretakers to read to the pupa in this stage, as this stage is when the brain fully develops. Young Adulthood (30-40 years): The pupa finishes developing into a young adult. The young adult spends the next ten years learning basic social skills, and a general education. Adulthood (40~300 years): At this age, the young adult takes part of “The Selection.” A ritual where all Ginkans that have become full adults choose which clan they wish to join for the remainder of their lives. Their new clan then takes over the education regime, further educating them in the specialties of the clan. Once an Adult Ginkan has selected the position they will fulfil for the hegemony, they perform that career to the fullest until they feel they can no longer physically perform it. At this point, they become “Skill Mentors,” and share their expertise with the younger Ginkans of the clan. The oldest Ginkan recorded lived to be 312 years old.

Psychology
The Ginkan mind is