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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 23, 2018 6:48:57 GMT -5
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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 23, 2018 6:53:09 GMT -5
FERTILIZATION & PARTNER SELECTION
Sorassan breed exclusively during specific mating seasons defined by their environment. Sorassan in colder environments begin mating preparations during warmer months, while sorassan in warmer environments do so in colder months. Sorassan in comfortable, temperate environments may be reproductively active year-round. During their mating period, sorassan will begin to proliferate microscopic analogues to earthly spermatophores via their breathing slits. Nearby sorassan will either inhale or ingest the spermatophores, where they are then taken into the body and stored until needed. Cases of self-fertilization are not uncommon.
Once a sorassan has been fertilized, instinct will typically compel them to seek a mate. On finding a willing partner, the pair rapidly pulse their cognitive electromagnetic fields in eachother's presence. Achieving this pulsing action is commonly carried out through courtship and romantic engagement, but it is not uncommon for prospective parents to engage in elaborate intellectual or artistic endeavours to stimulate this behavior. Each pulse signals a fertilized parent's body to process their received spermatophores. Further, the interaction between the two electromagnetic fields is responsible for modifying the genetic code of each sperm packet, though the mechanism behind this remains unclear.
After a period of roughly two days, a sufficiently-stimulated parent will no longer be able to effectively pulse their cognitive field. Stimulating pulses from their partner continue for several weeks after. During this time, a single egg pouch is fertilized and the eggs within will begin to develop. Multiple egg pouches cannot be fertilized at the same time and artificial attempts to do so result in severe miscarriages. While developing, eggs will steadily envelop and consume others, usually until there is only a single egg left. Twins are not rare, but are generally considered ill-omened. Deformities and pregnancy complications are common in the case that multiple children are born from the same pouch.
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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 23, 2018 6:53:18 GMT -5
PREGNANCY & CHILDBIRTH
Over time, the egg pouch will gradually swell with placental tissue and balloon off the side of the parent. After 3 - 4 months, the pouch will rupture from overexpansion. For many parents, the child must be temporarily removed and the pouch must be cleaned out. At this time, the child is an amorphous mass of proto-cartilage and growing organs, and is still technically considered a fetus. Afterwards, the child is returned to the womb and allowed to continue growing. Following the egg pouch's rupture, the cavity left behind rapidly heals over with soft, elastic skin to form a safe storage space for the child.
During this period, the child's digestive and respiratory systems develop. They must be maintained in a position so that their mouth meets the bottom of their pouch, where the parent exudes a yolk-like substance needed to sustain the child. They must also be oriented so that their breathing slits are exposed to open air. Within two weeks of the pouch's rupture, the child develops sufficient musculature to keep themselves from rolling over. Over the course of another 3 - 4 months, the child slowly develops their first pair of legs and grows to roughly twice their size since their pouch's first rupture.
Sorassan emerge from their parent's body soon after their first pair of legs have fully formed. Early births may require assistance from the parent, but most are capable of climbing out of their parent and descending from their body on their own. At this point, they have successfully survived childbirth and are no longer considered a fetus. For most parents, childbirth is a process with limited pain or physical burden. Deaths due to pregnancy complications are exceedingly rare, and unborn children have strong survival rates overall.
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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 23, 2018 6:53:27 GMT -5
CHILDHOOD & MATURITY
Infantile sorassan are fully mobile and capable of significantly more independent action than human infants. They are able to walk, feed themselves, and quickly learn effective communication methods from their parents. Language learning is usually achieved within a year following birth. Of note is that, until six months of age, sorassan children do not produce an electromagnetic field while thinking. The size of their cognitive field is also proportionate to their growth; fast-growing children are more likely to produce larger fields, while developmentally-challenged children may display none at all until reproductive maturity.
Relative to humans, young sorassan grow and learn quickly. Growing sorassan become reproductively viable within two years of birth. Most achieve their maximum height and leg count within six years. Most have mastered the customs and language of their community within seven years. Following eight years, there is a sharp decline in their general capacity to learn, and most fall in line with their parents. By twelve years, a sorassan child is considered a fully mature adult.
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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 23, 2018 6:53:35 GMT -5
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT & LIFESPAN
Sorassan children are typically raised by way of community effort. While this practice primarily has its roots in cultural traditions, some suspect it may be a result of the relative anonymity of the child's sperm source. During child-raising, sorassan parents often form bonds with the partner that stimulated their pregnancy. For most, these bonds terminate once a child has achieved full independence. While lifelong relationships are not unusual, separations do not hold much stigma in most sorassan communities. Children, however, typically form strong bonds with both parents. The stronger involvement of a child's community in their upbringing often serves to mitigate the impact of separated parents.
The average lifespan for most sorassan is roughly 65 years under good conditions, relative to 80 for humans in similar environments. Individuals in the employ of the Space Loonies exceed this average considerably, living upwards of 140 years or more. In impoverished towns or stressful environments, sorassan may live no longer than 20 years with all factors accounted for. Strong indicators for improved longevity are lower leg counts, active lifestyles, and living in low-altitude areas and areas with increased air pressure. The presence of nearby bodies of water is of generally negative impact. The presence of salt water, even if not consumed, causes notable reductions in overall lifespan. Fresh water lakes are linked to small, but notable losses in longevity.
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