Physical Description
Template:FaunaStar Beasts (Also referred to as Star Whales) are massive space-borne creatures, which reside in the Milky Way Galaxy. Star Beasts have existed in some form for many million of years, presumably before any major species rose up in the Milky Way.
The origin of Star Beasts are completely unknown, but depictions of them in ancient scriptures on Eeyttir have evidenced that they are closely linked to the First Civilization. This makes Star Beasts one of the most successful organisms, and are clearly able to live very long lifespans. Potentially, StarBeasts can survive for over 1.3 million years, mostly in a hibernation state. Active Star Beasts live relatively shorter, with the oldest confirmed active Star Beast living for over 19,000 years. Theoretically, Natural Star Beasts can survive for up to 20,000 years while being active, but this has not been recorded yet. Genetic technology can also change this.
Anatomy
The anatomy of Star Beasts is rather simple, considering their large size. Star Beasts are usually covered in a very resistant leathery skin, and topped with silky fur (Which was once harvested until it was synthetically reproduced). Both of these features are very black in color, with about 2% of light reflecting off of them. Star Beasts also have no complex eyes, but contain basic light sensors. Star Beasts also possess a complicated 'ear' system, which makes hearing their most heightened sense. This ear system can detect long-range and high frequency electromagnetic waves, like radio waves. This makes Star Beasts especially popular around planets with radio technology, and is the reason why some go around active planets like Aegyn.
The skin of Star Beasts, being very resistant, can repel micrometeorites with ease, and are noted to survive small objects traveling at high speeds. The skin of a Star Beast can also withstand high temperatures, and as a result has been nicknamed 'Stone Skin'. The skin of Star Beasts protect a very hardy system of innards, which mutually work in a system of organs.
Microgravity of space has also allowed for a larger organ system and exotic kinds of ways to manage them. A Star Beast's stomach, for example, works by creating biological high and low pressure areas, which hold the food and take it in and out. This works automatically, resulting from the hydrogen that a Star Beast could store. Storage of hydrogen, helium, and other important gases in a Star Beast is accomplished via a large retractable sac, which doubles as a kind of mouth. Small airtight openings accept gas, and can create pressure with enough of it. this goes all around the body, and satisfies the system of nutrients in a Star Beast's body.
Gases, mostly hydrogen, can be used as a form of movement and transportation for Star Beasts. There are two rear 'Exhausts' which can burn off hydrogen and burn it off as a fuel. However, this is not the only way that Star Beasts can travel. Terribly complex biochemistry and DNA can create a natural STL 'bio-drive', which can near speeds of light in many cases. This is the primary form of long range transportation for Star Beasts.
The bones of a Star Beasts are rather soft, since their tough skin and hardy muscles can protect them. There is not much of a need to move in a star beast, as well. Since microgravity makes moving much easier, bones are more or less cartilage, which is surrounded by all kinds of blubber and heat-conserving fat. These bones are not resistant to kinds of gravity, but are able to withstand the forces of lower gravity planets. Often times, Star Beasts have been observed to visit numerous objects in any part of the average star system.
Behavior
Star Beasts are notorious for being very docile, acting cordial and rather playful to other creatures. However, some organisms (like small mammalians) are not perceived by many Star Beasts to be of a notable life form, and have the potential to be unknowingly hurt. while researching Star Beasts, Humans have also been injured from the force and toughness of Star Beasts impacting their bodies. This has caused research of Star Beasts to be carried out carefully, usually done on young Star Beasts with a better sense of scale for life.
If ever turned aggressive, Star Beasts can be very dangerous. Their thick, muscular bodies can crush, break, and tear through metal. Even with their relatively low intelligence, they're very hard to kill. One of the only efficient ways to kill a fully-grown Star Beast is through the destruction of the brain. Another way to immobilize it is by causing enough blood loss to the point where it falls into a catatonic state.
Star Beasts are also very worrying if angered, since their exhausts can reach very high temperatures. Cases of weaponization of these exhausts by Star Beasts have been recorded, and can cause damage to vessels. Packs of Star Beasts can also crash into vessels willingly, causing major hull damage. Larger Star Beasts can be intimidating to vessels and their crew on their own, and are usually not angered.