Pahkwa-thanh
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The Pahkwa-thanh were a species of space-faring reptiles which were in contact with the United Federation of Planets in the 24th century. They are large, powerfully built bipeds with strong jaws, sharp teeth and a passing resemblance to a therapod dinosaur.
Carnivorous and predatory by nature, the Pahkwa-thanh feed upon live prey. Their spiritual beliefs encourage the understanding that their prey animals are sentient and in possession of a soul. As such, the Pahkwa-thanh have great respect for the animals their hunting parties chase down and kill. Pahkwa-thanh do not consider themselves separate from the natural order. However, they do not hunt Humanoids or other "civilized" races as these peoples do consider themselves outside of nature; to disrespect this belief by feeding upon them would be rude, and rudeness is intolerable to the Pahkwa-thanh culture. Even their insults work on a system of courtesy. (TTN novel: Orion's Hounds)
Male Pahkwa-thanh raise the young, and a male aims to prove both his skill as a caregiver and his strength and aggression (so he is capable of protecting the young) in order to convince females to mate with him. He provides food for the young by injecting smaller prey animals with a paralyzing toxin and bringing them back to the nest alive. (TTN novel: Over a Torrent Sea, ST novel: Lost Souls) Alpha males may take many mates, Beta males less. a Gamma male like Shenti Yisec Eres Ree may have difficulty attracting a mate. (TTN novel: Orion's Hounds)
While some members of the species are known to possess empathic abilities, most members of the species have no measurable empathic talent. (TTN novel: Taking Wing) Pahkwa-thanh do not like extreme cold, due to their reptilian nature. (ST - Destiny novel: Gods of Night)
Humans were known to be rather uncomfortable around members of the species due to their passing resemblance to the dinosaurs of prehistoric Earth.
Only around 100 members of the species, including Doctor Shenti Yisec Eres Ree, were serving in Starfleet in the 2370s. However, they have contributed greatly to Federation medical science since becoming members in 2360. (TTN novel: Taking Wing)
