Kerbal

An adult Kerbal male wearing a space suit

Kerbals, (Kerbos Kermulon) are the most common and widespread species of animal on Kerbin. Characterized by their bipedalism and intelligent albeit clumsy nature, Kerbals have a highly developed cognitive array that has enabled them to thrive in many environments across the planet and beyond, and develop complex societies and civilizations.

Biology

Anatomy and Physiology

Kerbals are invertebrate mammalian bipeds with five major bodily protrusions; two legs, two arms and a head on top of their torso. Kerbals stand roughly 0.81 metres tall (2'6½") on average and weigh between 40kg (88.2lb) and 70kg (154.3lb). They have four digits on both their hands and feet. Kerbal skin is green, with variations in hue being a product of genetics, climate and age. Kerbals possess no body hair except for the top of their head. Female kerbals also have pronounced eyelashes. Kerbals have around 1 million sweat glands spread over their whole bodies, though concentrated mainly around the forehead, which is a considerably large area on a kerbal. Kerbals absent body hair and productive sweat glands help avoid heat exhaustion during rigourous actiivty, and helps to maintain a constant temperature. This is an important adaptation, as Kerbals have a high internal body temperature of 41.9°C (107.42°f) due to their compact physiology and large brains.

Kerbals have two large eyes. In almost every kerbal, one eye is noticeably larger than the other. Two bony plates across the upper and lower jaw allows for food to be chewed and broken up inside the mouth before it is digested.

Kerbals posses a stout and robust physiology, allowing them to endure significant physical trauma without being permanently harmed. Their proportionally large muscle mass and sturdy skeletal structure mean they can survive in hostile environments for extended periods, such as the deep ocean, high altitudes, the surfaces of other celestial bodies and deep space (with a pressure suit). Kerbal durability is likely an evolutionary adaptation to counteract their astonishing clumsiness, which often places them in hazardous situations.

A group of 10 kerbals would, for instance, easily humiliate a robot in a contest of physical strength to such a laughable degree that all machines on Kerbin would permanently cease to function out of sheer embarrassment.

There is a large degree of biological variance among kerbals – with traits such as blood type, genetic diseases, cranial features, facial features, organ systems, eye colour, hair colour and texture, height and build, and skin colour varying across the globe.

A drawing depicting the supposedly geometrically perfect proportions of an adult male kerbal.

Life Cycle

Kerbals can live for up to 120 years, though an average lifespan of around 100 years is more common. Kerbal life expectancy has fluctuated in modern times, markedly dropping during the Great Decline. Disease, trauma resulting from accidents, and old age are the most common causes of death. The oldest kerbal in recorded history was Feguan sage Arumik Jiroman, who lived to be 196 years old. He died after forgetting how to breathe due to his extremely advanced senility.

Culture

Tools and Technologies

Kerbals have used tools for at least two million years, and are by the far the most prolific species to do so on Kerbin. Kerbals exhibit a great propensity for practical engineering, though their technical ability often outpaces their wisdom and acumen. The earliest known tool is a primitive monocular microscope constructed from stone and animal eye lenses, dated from 50,000 to 70,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence around the dig site suggests that it was being used as a hammer.

Kerbals have no natural predators nor staple prey, meaning ancient kerbals had no motive for creating weapons. The discovery of weapons was made in the last few thousand years.

Society

Almost every kerbal lives in a society. Kerbals are highly social, and tend to form large and complex societal systems and groups.

Conflict

god there's so much of it