KAFERIAN

Kaferians are insectoid-based bipedal humanoids about the same height as a normal Terran. Their heads are the most insectoid part of their bodies. They are natives of Tau Ceti.

They have a hard chitinous exoskeleton. Their eyes are located on opposite sides of their heads, giving them peripheral vision, which does not limit their forward vision. Their feet split into two toes - a larger and a smaller - with some extremely limited manipulative ability. They have a protruding spinal ridge, giving them a slightly hunchbacked appearance. If they ever had wings, they were attached here, but Kaferians are no longer a winged species.

They make their homes out of native materials mixed with a natural secretion from their bodies which combines to create a very light, but very strong and durable building material capable of supporting structures hundreds of feet tall.

Kaferians are virtually natural geneticists. They export many bio-engineered plants and animals that have been modified for demanding climates and conditions. They are renowned for this genetic engineering throughout most of known space. It is believed that Kaferian scientists are responsible for the Klingon Tribble predator, known as a "glommer".

Kaferia is not a member of the Federation (otherwise they could not engage in the trade mentioned above) but they have been a staunch ally of the Federation for over 200 years.