Human (Homo sapiens)

Humanity (Homo sapiens sapiens) originates from the planet Earth in the Sol system of the Local Cluster. The species rose to prominence around -50,000CE and began out-competing practically every other creature on their homeworld. Although these humans are, in many ways, a far cry from the species that has now spread across the stars, the same expansionist spirit remains at the heart of every human nation.


Species Origins

Homeworld: Earth (Terra)
Class: Mammalia
Scientific Name: Homo sapiens sapiens
Evolutionary History: The species Homo sapiens is a member of the Hominid family. Like all mammals, Hominids are believed to have descended from one of Earth's many ancient reptilian lines. Over the course of evolution however, hominids have evolved a few distinguishing characteristics. The foremost of these are their unparalleled intelligence and proportionate brain size, along side a high level of manual dexterity. Humans show the most specialisation in both these areas by far.
Earliest Evidence of Civilization: ~ -5000CE
Enlightenment Date: 2392CE

Biology

Anatomy: The human skeleton, like many creatures on Earth, is composed of a dense calcium phosphate compound. It possesses four limbs; two inferiorly located hind limbs and two superiorly located forelimbs. At the distal end of these forelimbs are extremely specialised digits, complete with opposable thumb. These limbs are adjoined to two separate girdles which both connect to a spine running down the posterior side of the body. Major organs are held in a protective cage in the upper torso (thorax) as well as behind thick abdominal muscle tissue in the lower torso (abdomen). Humans also possess an extremely developed brain which is housed in a thick protective casing of bone at the superior end of the spine called the skull, or cranium. This skull also houses all major sensory organs. A large muscular system runs throughout the body, especially the limbs, while a complex circulatory system is woven throughout all tissues of the body.
Physiology: Humans walk with an upright gait, using their hind limbs for motility. Their forelimbs rest in a relatively loose and unspecialised girdle, allowing for a wide array of movements in multiple planes. The distally located digits at the end of these forelimbs are extremely specialised, lending the species unmatched manual dexterity amongst the other organisms on their homeworld. The movement of these limbs is effected by the powerful muscle tissue located throughout the human form, with muscles at the limbs being especially well developed. Human's also possess unmatched cognitive ability compared to other Terran species. This is thanks to their large brain, which is capable of advanced reasoning, logic and language, and affords humans their high intelligence. All these systems are provided with the energy and oxygen they require for function by the complex human circulatory system, which transports oxygen and nutrient rich blood around the entire body to provide energy, while also transporting built up toxins and waste products to the appropriate organs for removal.
Genetics: Carbon based DNA, levo-amino acids for protein synthesis.
Reproduction: Humans become sexually mature after the increased production of specific hormones during a process know as 'puberty'. This typically happens during adolescence (12-16 years old). The species requires internal fertilisation and is viviparous.
Life Cycle: Human young, from childhood through adolescence, require a large amount of care from their parents and are completely reliant on these figures for everything. Resultantly, human society has built around the need to care for and educate their young in order to prepare them for adulthood. The ages at which humans are truly considered to be adults varies by culture, often anywhere from 13 to 21 years old.
Diet: Omnivore. However, some humans have been known to choose a herbivorous diet on ethical grounds.
Sleep Cycle: Generally require around 6-8 hours of sleep everyday, but Humans can go without sleep for around 3 days.

Psychology

Overview: Arguably, Humans are an emotionally driven species. Although their societal conventions often encourage the development and employment of logical thought and reasoning, this is somewhat contrary to so called 'human nature'. As such, Humans are often regarded by certain species as overly aggressive, hotheaded, or simply impatient. This has, in a few cases, created a significant barrier to interspecies relations. At the same time, many humans would view the level headed, purely logical thinking of some alien species as cold or callous.

Society & Culture

Sexuality: (If Applicable)
Gender Roles: Throughout their evolution, and in early history, human males were typically the dominant members of the species. As human society evolved, and these conventions became largely redundant, females pushed for equal treatment. Although this was met with resistance and first, and followed by persistent conflict, in modern times the two sexes are treated with complete equality.
Language(s): Anglic, Mandarin, Spanish, Jovian
Art/Music:
Religion:
Philosophical Concepts: Humans are inherently expansionistic. Throughout history, the desire to discover new lands, new people, and new ideologies and absorb them into existing empires has been a major driving force for the human race. Even by the dawn of the second millenium this expansionistic spirit remained, pushing humanity towards the stars. Even today humanity continues to grow and expand, pushing the frontier ever further from their old homeworld.

Psionics

Psionic Potential: Yes
Rate of occurrence: Extremely rare natural occurance
Relative Power: Varies
In Society: