Editing Skorr (section)

==Racial Characteristics==
The Skorr Race is evolved from a species of large avian that eventually took on a more humanoid bipedal shape. They have a pair of functional wings which can reach as far as 20 feet when fully extended wing tip to wing tip. Their feet resemble those of a Terran raptor (avian) in that they are covered with scales and end in three forward and one opposing digit with sharp claws at the ends. They are believed to be very closely related to the [[Aurelian|Aurelians]].

===Racial Dimensions===
The Average Skorr is slightly taller than an average Terran, approaching 6’6” to 6’8” for the male of the species, while females measure approximately 5’11” to 6’1” on the average.  The average Skorr has approximately the same body width and is nearly twice as light as than their Terran counterpart. The difference in same height, same sex members of the two species can vary between 40 to 60 kg, with the Terran always being the heavier of the two.

The female Skorr is physically identical in outward appearance to the males of the species. Both possess a pair of arms that are identical in form and structure to those of a Terran Human.  These limbs possess the same range of motion as those of the Terran species.  In addition, they possess a fully functional pair of wings. These wings are easily folded behind the Skorr and are attached to the an additional split shoulder blade. The chest and back musculature in both genders is well defined as a result of constant activity.

The general cranial structure of the Skorr is birdlike in nature.  The skull resembles a combination of avian and humanoid features. The Forehead is curved slightly towards the rear. This creates a slight sloping visual effect when viewing the Skorr face. The forehead, although slightly elongated, is not much larger than the Terran normal. Most Terrans relate the cranial structure of the Skorr with that of the Terran Eagle. The cranial structure also possesses a heavy brow ridge which shield the eyes from extreme sunlight at high altitudes. The eyes of the Skorr are identical in appearance to those of Terrans, although each eye socket is slightly larger than that of the average human. The eye structure itself possesses a slightly oversized functional pupil, cornea and lens. This adaptation allows the Skorr to see in lower levels of ambient light, while maintaining excellent distance vision. They possess excellent binocular vision and are reputed to be able to identify small prey at great distances. The “Natural” color of all Skorr eyes is red or copper color.

The Skorr species possesses a pair of hearing membranes to either side of the head. These structures allow the Skorr to detect even the tiniest of sounds. The interior of the structure vibrates whenever sound waves strike it just as a human eardrum does.  The acute hearing of the Skorr is capable of detecting sounds slightly above and below the hearing range of the average Terran. The Skorr sense of smell is far inferior to that of a human with the olfactory glands located at the base end of the elongated beak. These glands appear to be similar in structure to those found in most Terran avian species although larger.

The Skorr possesses a strong jaw structure common to aviary animals. This structure extends from an area associated with the bridge of the nose by Terrans out into an extended beak-like structure resembling those of Terran birds of prey, then withdraws into an area commonly seen as the “jaw” by most Terrans. This structure is symmetrical on both the horizontal and vertical axis.  The Skorr Species eat only animal flesh and and related animal products. They are know to swallow smooth stones to help them grind their food in their gullets. The gullet of the Skorr also contains a series of serrated hardened knobs of material to further break up food once it enters the body. 

Both genders of the Skorr Race possess a fully functional set of bipedal legs and claws.  These limbs are similar in structure to those possessed by humans, although the lower portion of the leg is further complicated by the addition of a digigrade joint which is located in the same position as the upper shin of most humans.  They are capable of the same range of motion as a Human, and they possess an overall greater physical strength than most Humans as a result of the additional leverage that can be brought to bear. The legs of the Skorr each possess a single foot structure that ends in three heavy toes extending forward and one extending to the rear. These toes resemble those found in the Terran Taxonomy of Terran Avians of the Raptor variety. These digits are composed of three mobile sections and can be used to manipulate very basic grasping needs. The Skorr possess claws,  at the end of each toe.   As the Skorr species usually have very strong legs, this makes for a potentially dangerous weapon. 
As for the upper body of the Skorr, they possess a torso, arm and hand structure virtually identical to that of a Terran. They are capable of the same range of motion in these parts, as is a normal Terran. The fingers are just as nimble and capable as those of their Human counterparts. 

Members of the Skorr Species possess a series of tail flight feathers ; similar in form to those possessed by Terran flighted birds.

===Physiological Notations===
Skorr Physiology is unique in several respects. There are a variety of very useful adaptations that Skorr physiology has managed to integrate and thus ensure their survival.

The main thing that Federation Medical doctors will note is that the bone structure of the Skorr race is very similar to that of humans in the Torso Area. The Torso possesses a series of ribs, a spinal column, a sternum, and scapula almost entirely identical to a Terran. In addition to these basic structures the Skorr also possess an additional split Scapula (shoulder blade) which floats, slightly blow their more traditional scapula and to which their wings are attached. The winds of the Skorr are identical in structure to that of avian species found on most habitable planets.  They possess a pair of joined support bones over which is stretched the musculature and flesh that form the wings.

The arm and hand structure is also nearly identical and functions identically to those of an average Terran.  The Cranial structure resembles a mix between that of a Terran eagle and a Human being, with structural similarities and characteristics of both. The Jaw structure, while visually and functionally similar to a large number of birds of prey from Earth, also possesses a series of sinal baffles which help a Skorr to differentiate atmospheric pressure.  The bones are hollow and exceptionally lightweight, resembling the structure of an avian. This bone is incapable of withstanding heavy shocks and contains the blood producing marrow of the Skorr. As the bones are so light, and tend to fragment when broken, a broken bone is a very serious injury for a member of the species. The healing of such an injury has been known to take several years due to the complications brought on by a result of the bone structure.

The Brain of the Skorr is protected from impact injury by a thin layer of bone that is surrounded by a subcutaneous layer of tissue. This tissue distributes impact forces to counter the effects of shock on the brain. 

The interior of the Skorr torso reveals the major organs that they possess. Like humans the Skorr possess lungs, small intestine, large intestine, kidneys, liver, pancreas, appendix, and a heart. Unlike humans the Skorr also possess a muscular grinding organ in place of a stomach called a Gr'rar. This organ helps to further grind up difficult meats that the Skorr species should choose to eat.  The Skorr digestive tract very efficient but because of their high metabolic rate they must eat a great deal of meat every day. As a result of this , the average Skorr must eat at least half its body weight in meat and proteins once every 18 hours or they begin to suffer effects of malnutrition. Most Skorr eat every five to six hours, although that frequency is not necessary. The appendix of the Skorr is capable of creating and neutralizing most organic poisons entered into the body. This allows the Skorr race to consume the flesh of some poisonous animals that would normally be harmful to other species. The lungs of the Skorr work exactly like those of a human, although they are larger and stronger than those found in their human counterparts. 

The advanced clawed foot, wings and resulting musculature allows the Skorr to leap amazing distances up to 12 meters from a standing position. Due to physical design, Skorr are abhorrent runners, as they are not well designed to handle repetitive impact stress on their leg bones.

===Reproductive Data===
Skorr reproduce through copulation, which requires a male and a female of the species to propagate their race.  The reproductive cycle is identical to that of most avians.   This cycle occurs only once every year and each pair of Skorr can produce approximately 6-8 eggs each breeding cycle. The fertilized eggs require a gestation period of nine months to hatch. After which time the young spend 15 years as young children and adolescents before becoming adults.  The parents of the Skorr species are very attentive to the needs of their offspring. Once the young reach the age of 15 years they are drawn into the society as a functional member of the flock. Skorr normally establish consistent breeding mates.  Most couples choose to regulate the results of their reproductive cycles through the use of advanced contraceptives. However in times of racial stress, such as war or severe population downturn such as is caused by plague, or natural disasters, Skorr are capable of reproducing in massive numbers.