Oltan

Insectoid species, sapient, live in burrows

Basic Information

Anatomy

they have an exoskeleton and six limbs, four are legs and two are arms they have two small flexible ears

Genetics and Reproduction

the female releases her eggs in a shallow dirt pit and the male puts his sperm in with it; hermaphrodites produce both eggs and sperm and can choose which to release/produce depending on their partner after the eggs have been given the opportunity to be fertilized, they are covered with a thin layer of dirt and guarded by the couple and the colony - there is a baby area in the colony and each reproducing couple will have an assigned pit so they know which young are theirs after 30 days of incubation, the viable young hatch into grubs, looking like very blob-like versions of adults as their exoskeletons have yet to develop. at this point they are fed moistened food that the colony has gathered. it takes 30 more days for the exoskeleton to fully develop, after 15 days as grubs they leave the reproduction pit and go home with their parents

Growth Rate & Stages

the life stages are egg, grub, young, adult, elder The first 30 days, the egg uses its resources to develop into a grub. The grub then needs 30 days with additional nutrients to form its exoskeleton. Once it has its exoskeleton, it looks like a miniature oltan. It begins to learn how to speak, interact with peers and others, and how to navigate the burrow. This stage is usually 90-150 days, and it will mature and grow larger and develop sexual organs - it isn't known until this happens what sex they are. Once they reach sexual maturity, they are adults. They stay adults for 8-15 years, during which they remain the same size, reproduce and raise young, and aid the burrow. They become elders when they have their first molt - they shed their exoskeleton and reproductive organs. They are very vulnerable and are fully cared for by the colony. During elderhood they take care of the dirt pits and grubs. The colony cares for them until they die 90-120 days later.

Ecology and Habitats

the best placement for burrows is in temperate climates with moderate precipitation, they can also live in very dry climates as long as the ground is not too hard for them to dig

Dietary Needs and Habits

the oltan are omnivores and can and will eat whatever they are able to find and bring into the burrow  they have specific storage areas in the burrow with assigned works who preserve food, distribute rations, etc warrior/guardian oltan are stationed throughout the burrow to protect the colony, food, and everyone

Additional Information

Social Structure

Each burrow has a queen who leads the colony, a group of aristocrats that are her lineage, of which the females have more authority. They live the deepest in the burrow and are often black. The next social rank are the matriarchs that produce the strongest young who are most often selected to be guards. Then are the hunters' matriarchs, then builders', then other workers'. After the female oltan, the hermaphroditic members of the colony, then the male members.

Domestication

They can't be domesticated, but some larger sapient species sometimes rescue or take some of members of a burrow. The oltan often cannot communicate with non-insectoid species because they cannot make the same sounds. As such, sometimes they are taken and cared for as pets, because it is often not recognized that they are sapient.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

They are often eaten by animals or some other sapient species.  If they molt outside, their exoskeletons are often ground down and mixed with water to make paint, ink, or dye.

Facial characteristics

large multifaceted eyes, and large ears they have two sets of mandibles and a small mouth

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

excellent hearing with a very wide range of frequencies, sight, they can sense other organisms in the ground (plant roots/other animals) and moving on it (when they're near the surface)

Lifespan

8-15 years

Average Height

2-3 cm tall

Average Weight

4-9 grams

Average Length

5-8 cm

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

they have a wide range of coloring for their exoskeletons, from black to dirt colors, to bright greens and other colors that blend in with various local plants

Geographic Distribution

• Arshilkrin