Hermat

The Hermats are a hermaphroditic race native to the Alpha or Beta Quadrant planet of the same name. In addition to having both male and female sexual organs, they also possess razor-sharp canine teeth, reflecting the predatory origins of their species. They also have a heightened olfactory sense, enabling them to track an individual by their scent. When the situation calls for it, they can run on their hands and feet, faster then typical humanoids. However, they also have a relatively short life-span, averaging just 40 years. Hermats normally display physical traits of both genders- small feminine breasts, lithe yet muscular physiques, and facial features that have elements of both males and females. Their features tend more towards the feminine and for this reason some single-gender males, including humans often mistake Hermats for trim, slight-figured women. They also have slightly higher foreheads than humans and tend to be dark eyed.

Hermats, as a race, tend to keep to themselves. Their tendency toward segregation from the rest of the Federation is well known. While Hermats are not necessarily xenophobic, they have some difficulty relating effectively to members of other species. As of the 2370's, there were still few Hermat members of Starfleet. They are renowned for their versatility and ingenuity.

They have developed a unique set of pronouns to accommodate their dual-sex status: 'hir' rather than 'him' or 'her', and also for possessive 'his' or 'her'; 'hirs' for 'his' and 'hers'; and 's/he' (with a separately accented H) rather than 'she' or 'he' to simplify communications with divided-sex species and preserve their uniqueness.

They also have a unique naming system, most likely stemming from their dual-sex status, and the fact that some Hermats have only one parent. Hermat names usually take the form of a single name followed by a number. And the number presumably indicates that the actual name in question has either been used to name that number of persons in that particular family line, or in Hermat society in general. A Hermat named "Eskat 212" would either be the 212th Eskat in their family line, or in Hermat naming history. Further research into the Hermat naming system is required to clarify this, but given their semi-xenophobic nature this is not likely to happen in the near future.

The Hermats are governed by the Hermat Directorate, ruled by the Hermat Elders.