Chelon

Appearance: Reptilian; dark-green skin, resembling a shell-less beaked turtle (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel; VAN)
Homeworld: Rigel III
Occasionally known as Chel (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
Prefer warm, humid climates; uncomfortable in most other environments (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
Biological notes
- Hermaphroditic, but many choose in adulthood to take on particular gender roles of fertilization or egg-laying in their lives (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
  - Some cultures refrain from this choice as a rule, their members taking no permanent gender role in reproduction; especially common amongst the traditionalists of the Hainali basin (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
- Reproduce by egg-laying (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
- Resistant to radiation, especially ultraviolet (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel; TOS Novel: The Captain's Oath)
- Can emit a contact toxin through their skin when under stress (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel; VAN Novel: Summon the Thunder; Destiny Novel: Mere Mortals)
  - Lethal toxin, kills within hours without antitoxin (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
Cultural notes
- Chelon food
- Chelon laughter takes the form of a string of clicks (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
- Chelon equivalent to a chair known as a "glenget" (VAN Novel: Summon the Thunder)
  - Due to body structure, relaxation normally provided through kneeling rather than reclining; glengets structured accordingly (VAN Novel: Summon the Thunder)

History

Early 16th century: First contact with Jelna; Zami first contact soon follows (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
Early 18th century: Gains full representation in the Rigelian Trade Commission following an ongoing series of guerilla attacks and protests over their lack of presence and the heavy exploitation of their labor and world during colonization of Rigel II (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)