Gorn

The Gorn are a species of poikilothermic, reptilianoid humanoid sapients with green, rubbery skin and an average height of approximately two meters. They are notably stronger than many humanoids, albeit slower and less agile but with greater stamina. As with most ectotherms, they prefer warmer temperatures, although their brains will likely addle at some heat point.

Some Humans have underestimated the Gorn because of a prejudicial opinion that all reptiles are less intelligent than mammals. This is an unwise belief, as Gorns are at least as intelligent as Humanity.

Biology[]

Adult Gorn are tail-less reptilian bipeds, although they are born as tailed quadrupeds. Their ears are simple holes in the side of their skulls, which may lead to a tympanic membrane such as that seen in lizards and frogs on Earth. Their mouths boast an impressive array of sharp teeth as well, indicating a carnivorous lifestyle, while the hands and feet both possess vicious claws.

It has been quipped that the Gorn are comparable to the Earth's extinct Velociraptor species, based on the Gorn's size and bite radius, although this is likely a misunderstanding, as velociraptors were only the size of turkeys; the likely intended comparison was another dromaeosaurid such as Deinonychus.

The eyes of the Gorn are of interest to some, as they come in two very different styles; most appear silvery and faceted much like the compound eyes of insects, while others have typical humanoid eyes complete with pupils. This may indicate that one or the other may be caused by technology. Both male and female Gorn with insectoid eyes have been observed, proving that the difference isn't caused by sexual dimorphism. It is extremely unlikely that they are subspecies of one another due to the massive difference here.

It is imperative to note that Gorns with humanoid eyes have only been observed in the Mirror Universe, and since Humans from the Mirror Universe have a genetic difference that makes their eyes more sensitive to light, it's possible that Mirror Gorns might have different types of eyes as well. Another possibility is that the insectoid eyes might actually be a nictitating membrane protecting their inner eyes from the bright desert sun.

Life cycle[]

The Gorn have an endoparasitoidic life cycle, the duration of which depends on the species of the host they were incubated in, varying from a few hours to days (in the case of Human hosts) or weeks (in the case of Orion hosts). They emerge from the host as small, viciously aggressive creatures that are already intelligent and strong enough to kill adult Humans. These newborn Gorn will direct their energy towards hunting prey (presumably to gather food for their own maturation) and fighting one another until only the strongest and most cunning individual remains. Even at this immature stage, the young Gorn are capable of (presumably asexual) reproduction, spitting corrosive fluids that burn into the skin of a host and release microscopic eggs inside them. They also have an inherent biological ability to remain undetectable by both 23rd century scanning devices and the telepathic senses of species such as the Aenar.

Culture and society[]

The Gorn are regarded as an extraordinarily dangerous species. La'an Noonien-Singh, who survived more than one encounter with them, has expressed the belief that the Gorn can't be reasoned with or fought, and claimed that even several Starfleet officers would be no match against a single adult member of the race; although it should be noted that this statement was made years before James T. Kirk's famous victory against the Gorn captain. Their aggressive, competitive nature is also reflected in their cultural attitudes, as they have no tolerance for failure and no qualms about killing their own kind.

Gallery[]

Alternate universes[]

Star Trek (2013 game)[]

The Gorn are a cruel and militaristic imperialistic race that rules another galaxy and attempts to invade and conquer the Milky Way Galaxy. In their home galaxy they enslaved or exterminated every race, and strip mined every world. Being masters of genetic engineering they possessed bio-mechanical weapons that combined technological and organic elements.

Star Trek Online[]

The Gorn Hegemony was conquered by the Klingons in the early 25th century. They formed a significant part of the military forces of the Klingon empire and some of their warship classes were adopted by the Klingon Defense Forces.

Star Trek: Typhon Pact[]

The Gorn Hegemony together with five other interstellar powers (Tholians, Romulans, Breen, Tzenkethi and Kinshaya) formed the Typhon Pact in the late 24th century after the Borg invasion of 2381. It was an alliance that stood in opposition against the Khitomer Accords, an interstellar alliance consisting of the United Federation of Planets and the Klingons, later joined by the Ferengi and the Cardassians.

Notes[]

In Star Trek Into Darkness, Bones mentions performing caesarian section on a Gorn pregnant with octuplets, implying that the species can also give birth like humans. This also proves that first contact with the Gorn Hegemony happened much earlier in the J. J. Abrams' universe than in the prime timeline.
In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the Gorn are portrayed as endoparasitoids who capture members of other species (including humans) to use them as food on planetary nurseries.