The Alien Races of Star Trek

Vulcan

17 light years from Earth there is the triple star system 40 Eridani, and orbiting the largest star is a planet called Vulcan. Beings not so different from us live on that planet. They are the Vulcan people.

Vulcans resemble humans quite closely. Differences include pointed ears, upswept eyebrows, and green blood. The green in their blood is due to the fact that it is based on copper instead of iron. Though this may sound odd, Earth’s horseshoe crabs have blue blood, which has copper in it.

The Vulcans are a very emotional species at heart, but their culture has learned to suppress this emotion in order to maintain peace and scientific endeavour. A Vulcan ceremony called Kolinahr was the final ritual for an individual Vulcan who wished to purge emotion from themselves.

Many Vulcans are also adept at telepathy including the ability to mind-meld, which is the passing on of memories and knowledge to another being. Some Vulcans are even able to cheat death by implanting their “Katra” or soul into another living being or object.

Romulan

Long ago, during the age of Vulcan reform, when emotions were suppressed from society a group of dissenters fled Vulcan and relocated to twin planets- now called Romulus and Remus.

On their new home, the Vulcans evolved into an offshoot species called the Romulans. This military culture is wary of outsiders and sometimes xenophobic and outright racist in regards to other species. Many Romulans wish for their culture to be dominant throughout the universe in a world where all other species are wiped out or suppressed.

Romulans practice a strict and enforced society. Security officers are often undercover. Criminals are frequently put to death, sometimes in painful ways. Romulans are efficient with their resources and weaker individuals are often purged. Even newborns are disposed of if any birth defects are present.

Klingon

On a planet called Qo'noS (Kronos) lives a race of humanoids called the Klingons. They are a hardy people, difficult to kill. They are fierce, aggressive, they are trained in hunting and combat from the time they are young.

Klingons can be recognized by their dark skin, snaggle teeth and ridges on their foreheads and noses. Internally Klingons are even stranger. Every organ has a back-up organ including a third lung and a secondary brain stem. Klingons have been known to regrow body parts, in one case a brand new spine.

Much of Klingon culture was established by the historical figure Kahless. Kahless established the ideas of spirit and honor into the Klingon culture at a time when mindless warfare was all they knew. Kahless also forged the first Bat’leth, a popular Klingon weapon used in honorable combat.

The language of the Klingon is thought to be harsh and guttural to human ears- yet humans have the ability to learn to speak in Klingon tongue and many do.

Orion

The Orion are a green skinned species with black hair. From the outside the Orion culture seems to be based on a terrible patriarchy in which females are suppressed, sexualized, and sold into slavery. However, this view of the Orion society is actually a ruse propagated by the females of the race.

In truth it is actually the Orion females that have power. Once “sold” into slavery the female Orions seek control over their new “owners”. The females produce highly potent pheromones that have a powerful effect on many species, especially males individuals. The victims experience heightened adrenaline levels which caused aggression and, eventually, delusion.

This should serve as a warning to any individual foolish enough to engage in the trade or trafficking of any sentient species.

Andorian

On an icy moon there exists a species known as Andorians. The species can be recognized by their blue skin, white hair, and twin antenna. Though militaristic, the Andorians are ultimately fragile. Phasers are toxic to Andorians and even on minor settings can be fatal. Even in hand-to-hand combat Andorians tire quickly compared to a human.

Despite these weaknesses, Andorians are actually quite hardy. Andorians can adapt to many temperatures and environments, surviving in the most extreme conditions.

Andorian culture was based on honor. They never fought without a reason, and when they did fight they invoked the code of Ushaan, which called for a hand-to-hand duel to the death.

Andorians also placed a high value on familial units and their clans. Andorian soldiers were honored and remembered by their clans and warriors who had fallen in battle far from home would have their blood carried back to the ices of Andoria.

Ferengi

The beings known have Ferengi have built a society based on capitalism and profit.  The Ferengi drive for economic success has led to many inventions that are popular throughout the galaxy, including that of the Holosuite.

The Ferengi can be recognized by their orange-skin, large ears, wrinkled nose and forehead ridges. Through echolocation, their enlarged ears (lobes) can pick up a sort of second sight, which can distinguish someone’s species and gender.

Though some think the species to be unethical in their greed- the Ferengi boast that their history had no slavery or genocide unlike most cultures. Yet their treatment of their females is unequivocally deplorable. Ferengi females are not allowed to conduct business, travel, or even wear clothes. Marriage in Ferengi culture was a business contract between the father of the bride and the husband-to-be.

The Ferengi diet consisted mostly of insects, slugs, and other invertebrates.

Borg

The cyborg race known as “The Borg” exists as a single hive mind. The goal of the Borg Collective is to assimilate a maximum amount of species and technologies into its consciousness.

Upon assimilation Borg “drones” are be fitted with cybernetic implants and nanobots flood their bloodstream. Their skin greys and they lose all body hair. Borg drones do not need water or sustenance but, instead, visit Borg alcoves that provided them with energy and repair any damage the drones have endured.

Most Borgs reside in starships, most notably Borg Cubes which can house over one-hundred-thousand individual Borg. Borg Cubes are also quite lethal, being able to wipe out dozens of Starfleet ships in mere minutes.

Though most Borg do not speak, some are permitted to parlay, including the mysterious Borg Queen who is a representation of the Collective as a whole.

Cardassian

The Cardassian race is a formidable opponent of the United Federation of Planets. Cardassians evolved on a planet darker, hotter and more humid than human environments. They have pale skin, ridges on their faces and necks, and a tear dropped-shaped ridge in the center of their forehead. Cardassians boast photographic memories and can train themselves to resist a Vulcan mind meld.

Cardassians built their culture based on a hierarchical society and their buildings are designed to place the most important individuals at the top. Rivalries and competition cause Cardassians to be constantly suspicious of others. Cardassians are especially weary of outsiders and practice a high level of Xenophobia for other races.

Conversation is an important part of Cardassian life including in courtship, the sharing of knowledge and debate. Cardassians consider their education system to be the best in the galaxy. Loyalty is also built into the Cardassian culture including loyalty to family and loyalty to state.

Cardassians are known to keep well-organized records. They also value cleanliness and timeliness.

Trill

Trills are a humanoid species from planet Trill. Trills notebly have spots running from head to toe on the sides of their bodies. The humanoid Trills evolved side by side with Trill symbionts who use humanoid Trills as a host body.

By the 24th century, a small number of humanoid Trill would elect to host Trill symbionts within their bodies. Through the process of joining, symbionts will connect themselves to the spinal cord of the host, and the two become inseparable from each other. Once joined, the Trill and the symbiont also have shared personalities and they speak with one voice.

Trill symbionts are long lived and may have many hosts during their lifetime. When the symbiont joins with a new host it carries with it all memories from previous hosts.

The application process for joining with a host is very competitive since there are substantially more humanoid Trill than Trill symbionts. Only one in ten Trill are selected for the process.

Talaxian

In the Delta Quadrant of the galaxy on planet Talax, the Talaxian people enjoy a whimsical life. They are a friendly race with a pronounced sense of humor. The species is humanoid with orange hair and orange spots.

Talaxians are a spiritual people and place high value on family. Food is another cornerstone of their culture. It is a custom on Talax to tell the story of how the meal was prepared prior to consuming it.

Most Talaxians had the letter x in their given name.

Kelpien

The Kelpien are a pre-warp species that evolved on the planet Kaminar. The Kelpien race evolved as prey to the Ba’ul. As a prey species the Kelpiens evolved to be swift sprinters. Also, Ganglia sprouted from the back of their heads when they sensed danger.

Kelpiens are small in number and live in packs. They built huts on the shores of their planet's oceans and harvested flowers and kelp from the waters. One Kelpien named Saru was able to establish contact with the Federation and is the only known Kelpien to leave Kaminar.

Gorn

The reptilian species known as Gorn exist outside the United Federation of Planets. Though they look primitive they are actually quite intelligent. Their technology rivals that of the Federation including the possession of  phaser-like weapons. First contact with the species resulted in a battle to the death between a Federation captain and a Gorn captain.

The Gorn species is cold blooded and slower moving compared to many humanoids. Yet they are strong and durable. They can typically outlast a human in hand-to-hand combat. Gorn are even dangerous at birth, with newborns being able claw and bite. Gorn pregnancies typically result in a brood of up to eight hatchlings.

*UPDATE: August 2020*

Caitian

Hailing from planet Cait, Caitians are covered from head to toe in fur (typically orange in color). Caitians are known to be intelligent, curious, and loyal. Caitians have excellent night vision and can leap twice as high as a human. Caitians share a common ancestor with the both the Ferasans and Kzinti races. 

The first Caitian character in the Star Trek universe was Lieutenant M’Ress from the 1973 series “Star Trek: The Animated Series”. Later Caitians appeared in “The Voyage Home” and “Star Trek Into Darkness”. Most recently a Caitian named Commander T’Ana was introduced in the series “Star Trek: Lower Decks”. T’Ana serves as the Chief medical officer aboard USS Cerritos.