Caitians were a felinoid species from the planet Cait, which they call Ferasa, (though their original homeworld was Ferasa Prime). They were members of the United Federation of Planets from. (TAS: "The Slaver Weapon"; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; Star Trek Online)
The Caitians are a the descendants of Ferasans who left their home planet, who were, in turn, an evolutionary offshoot of the Kzinti. (Star Trek: Pendragon)
Biology[]
The Caitians were bipedal, and taller than humans on average, with a tail they used for balance. Most possessed a covering of body fur, in a wide range of coloration, and some degree of a mane. Their night-vision was excellent, as was their hearing, and their voices were often thought of as "trilling" or "purring" by other species. Their hands and feet were clawed, and they were extremely agile; these traits helped them develop into skilled martial artists and acrobats. (Star Trek: The Animated Series)
As of the late 23rd century, the average life expectancy among Caitians was 39.8 standard years for males, and 42.6 standard years for females. (Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual Supplemental)
History[]
In the distant past, in a time lost to memory and passed into myth, a schism occurred between the Kzin and Ferasan peoples, as their species began to diverge. Over many generations, the Ferasans forged their own society on Ferasa Prime, distinct from the Kzinti and Kzinhome.
Generations later, in the early 17th century, eugenics and genetic engineering programs on Ferasa Prime led to the augmentation of the Ferasan genome. The non-augmented minority, who eventually became the Caitians, were forced to flee to the stars in search of a new home. After years of wandering, they settled on a world orbiting the star 15 Lyncis, many light years from Ferasa Prime. By the 23rd century, this journey would come to be known as the Caitian Diaspora. (Star Trek Online)
Eventually, the Caitians met both the Orions and the Ferengi, and were reticent to engage with either. They made first contact with the Federation in 2249, and in contrast, took an instant liking to them. Relations developed extremely well, and within several years, Caitians were a familiar sight across the Federation, with some even attending Starfleet Academy. The Caitians officially became Federation members in the early 2270s. (Decipher: Starfleet Operations Manual)
Caitian colonies were spread throughout Federation space, the oldest were founded at the time of the Diaspora, and others in the intervening years. By the 2280s, the colonies of Havelind, Hochlor IV, Macadama and Narval all had either full or associate member status in the Federation. Other notable colonies include those on Regulus III and Regulus V, Asref IV, and La'veri III. Many Caitians were also found among the populations of other Federation worlds, including Riviera, and joined UFP colonial expeditions regions like the Delta Volanis Cluster. (FASA: The Federation; Decipher: Starfleet Operations Manual; Star Trek Online)
Within a century, they had spread out as far as the Alpha Persei Cluster, where they had colonized the planet Kirisha, near the borders of the Regnancy of the Carnelian Throne. In 2363, conflict ensued between the Caitians and the Regnancy, which was resolved when Carnelians' unusual meaning of the word "slave" was understood, and the Caitian colonists became Cohorts of the Throne. (TNG novel: The Buried Age)
Many Caitians continued to join and serve in Starfleet well into the 25th century. In 2409, a group of Starfleet officers and scientists at a Federation research outpost investigated Caitian history and found records dating back to the time of the Diaspora that shed a great deal of light on the relationship between the Caitians and Ferasans. During the that effort, Ferasans raided the research station, and took a group of Caitian hostages back to Ferasa Prime. The Starfleet crew was able to effect a rescue, with the aid of Caitian Flight Officer Liow'an. (Star Trek Online: Caitian Diaspora)
Culture[]
In contrast to their Kzin ancestors and Ferasan cousins, Caitians were a peaceful, though not pacifistic society; when necessary, they could be among the fiercest warriors known to the Federation, but as a race they prided themselves on art and philosophy instead of the martial disciplines. Caitian culture emphasized a love of beauty, and also focused around the concept of personal loyalty. Loyalty, both to oneself and towards others, was their highest value; this was exemplified in the interweaving of individual and clan relationships, which were the focus of much of that loyalty. Many Caitians also adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, forsaking the carnivorous ways of their ancestors. (StarTrek.com; FASA: The Federation)
Caitian naming customs did not follow any gender pattern or paradigm, so no name was considered to be distinctly male or female. Clan names were rarely used in casual address, but were sometimes appended to an individual's name in more formal settings. (Decipher: Starfleet Operations Manual, Star Trek: Pendragon)
As members of the Federation, Caitians had a reputation for being one of the most cooperative and intelligent races in the galactic community. (The Worlds of the Federation)
External links[]
- Caitian article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.
- Caitian article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.
- Caitian article at the official Star Trek Online wiki
- Caitian article at Star Trek Expanded Universe, the fanon and fanworks Star Trek wiki.