Purrgil

On Stardate 93712.15 warbirds from Theirr first spotted the Purrgils, feeding on the sixth planet of Arborea. Approximately a month later, on Stardate 93856.95 a flock led by "Barclay" entered Praetorian space asking for help. "Nanov" was injured and pregnant and by the transwarp gate. The USS Mary Black and USS Hakaishin assisted in the birth of "Nemo" and led both mother and child into Drydock 3. The flock led by Barclay then departed the system, leaving the two in our care.

On Stardate 93914.22, I oversaw Riov t'Latta guide "Nanov" around Starbase space, so she could stretch her tentacles after being healed from her injury.

As of last evening, Riov t'Latta authorized Drydock 3 be continually open for the purrgil to go in and out as they please. Nanov and Nemo seem to be intending to stay for approximately a year as is custom after giving birth. Nanov seems to be worried about the rest of her flock and unable to communicate with them.

# Anatomy

      Purrgil are large creatures with a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body, and a horizontally flattened head with large blue eyes. They look like a cross between a whale, a squid, and a stingray. They have large four hind tentacles, a single dorsal fin, and two side fins, all of which allow them to move gracefully through the vacuum of space. Their hides are smooth and brown and gray but also change color. Their mouths are filled with egg-shaped, irregularly implanted teeth. Some specimens have slender, whiskerlike organs near the mouth. Nanov nor Nemo have these organs, but Barclay, the "King" did. This suggests the whiskerlike organs denote age and experience.

In order to breathe, the purrgil need to inhale stores of a specific gas found in numerous gas giants within the Outback. Within the gas are tiny creatures, space krill, that count as the purrgils' food source. After they feed they have violet-blue hides and yellow patterns on their snouts.

After they consume enough of this gas and space krill, a chemical is stored up in their tentacle "nacelles", and they can jump to warp speed. Current theory is that they develop this at some point after one year of age, as the four month old, Nemo, does not have this ability yet.

From everything we can tell, from the images and stories Nanov has shared, it is believed that purrgils can live centuries. How to denote age is as of yet undetermined as they do not have the same concept of time as we do.

# Life History/Behavior

Purrgil live in groups called flocks that count up to eight individuals. Each group is led by the largest specimen, a Purrgil King. Barclay, is one such King. They are gentle creatures and show a great degree of intelligence, but they have been recorded within their memory and in others to unintentionally cause harm by crashing into starships. [AAR: Return Mission to Arborea V]

Nanov and Nemo have shown to be very grateful to our help and very affectionate with those who care for them. They are closest to myself and Riov t'Latta. They have shown affection for Commander McDonald, Doctor Dgani, and other doctors from the USS Mary Black. Nemo holds great curiosity for everything. The only person reported to have gained some manner of dislike is Commander McIntyre, which it is my humble opinion that Nemo, like any child, dislikes someone who may distract one of their favorite people from them. Therefore I believe their range of emotions can be likened similar to our own.

Purrgils communicate via empathy or empathic waves to those who are in proximity to them by within the same amount of distance from between the starbase and the transwarp gate (I totally can't remember how far that is...). They also communicate those empathic waves in the form of a subspace whale song that can be detected on our sensors, and when within the drydock, sound (cause there is no sound in space, but there sure is within the Starbase!). Also, more effective communication is by touch telepathy. It need not be skin to hide, but if you can touch the purrgil, they will be able to share with you their thoughts and stories through images. It is stronger if you are already a telepath, but once a non-telepath has gained a rapport with a purrgil, the barrier to converse with them is lifted.

# Known Encounters

* Arborea VI
* Starbase
* Test Flight
* Convo with Mac