Centauran (Classic Journeys Era)

Introduction
Once known as strict pacifists, Centaurans are crystalline jellyfish-like beings who have shown their capacity for hostility. Those of the homeworld, Centauri, are suspicious of the unenlightened rest of the galaxy, but curious enough to send researchers snooping around from time to time.

Lovers of order and learning, they use their powerful telepathic talents to form a tightly-knit society. Natural abilities of self-levitation and glass-spinning make fantastic architectural works possible, and a three hundred and sixty degree visual field facilitates their powers of observation.

General
The overall shape of a Centauran is radially symmetric, that is, it appears approximately the same from all sides. The body consists of an elongated hemispherical shell consisting of heavy quartz crystal colored in cool hues (usually violets) by other minerals. The outer surface of the skin is also mineralized, but the remainder of tissues are protein-based. Most of the Centauran's organs are found in the tissue attached to the inside and lower lip of of this bell. Eyes are arrayed at regular intevals around the base of the bell, while the single opening of the digestive system is found underneath the edge at one location. The trunk of the body extends down from the apex inside the center of the bell. The top of this section contains the majority of the brain. Surrounding the reproductive tissue, eight flexible tentacles grow from the base of the trunk.

Metabolism
Centaurans require nitrogen gas to breathe and are poisoned by exposure of the lung to oxygen gas. An optimal temperature of approximately -120°F (84°C) is usually maintained by the breathing apparatus when in oxygen-breather environments, but a Centauran's temperature can vary much more widely than a human's without experiencing permanent damage.

Digestion
Their photosynthetic symbiotes use light to provide most of the nutrition; meals of silicates (such as unleaded glass and crystal) and other minerals are usually needed only infrequently.

Reproduction
Centaurans are asexual and pregnancy is automatic every seven years, at which time they gestate for several months until they give birth to a single offspring.