#centauri-iv

Human/Centaurian: With the help of scientific interference a healthy hybrid was produced between a male Centaurian(marsupial mammal) and a female Terran(mammal). Although, genetically 50% Terran the hybrid’s genome favors his Centaurian heritage. Including having a carrier pouch. However, the Terran parentage does express itself in other ways: The fibers of the crest are not nearly as tightly held together as a purebred’s Tahlei. It is still supported by a bone crest, however it is smaller than normal, and the fibers behave more like thick hair. The nerve endings in the crest are not as pronounced and make the individual's empathic ability's harder to control.This hybrid is also able to grow a full beard (much to the fascination/horror of pure Centaurians). His hair also is continually growing so it does need to be timed every once in a while. Trimming does not harm him in the slightest so long as he doesn’t cut too close to the skin or nerve endings.The ears are smaller. The skin, eye, and hair color are lighter than the average Centaurians. The skin also flushes a rosy hue due to a lighter change in skin pigmentation given by the Terran parent. Markings along the body are more chaotic and are lighter. The individual is also shorter in over all height and lighter in weight compared to Centaurians, however, he is heavier than a human of the same size due to higher bone density.   The hybrid is able to communicate in both Common tongue and in the Centaurian native language with little problems. His voice is described as being unusually low for a Centaurian, and rather high for a Terrans. A-Chiltarian/Centaurian: With great difficulty the first hybrid from a male A-Chiltarian (insectoid mammal) and a female Centaurian (marsupial mammal). The extreme differences between species made this hybrid only one out of 75 attempts to survive infancy.This hybrid favors its A-Chiltarian parent. The hybrid lacks a pouch and is instead covered in a fine coat of fur. The Centaurian parentage is present in the small Tahlei that extends from the top of the head, like normal, down the neck and morphing into a thicker longer fur down the back that can be raised in piloerection. The nerve endings in the crest are almost nonexistent, and the individual shows no knowledge or indication that he posses any empathic abilities that he could have inherited from his Centaurian parent. The hybrid is taller and weighs more than the average Centaurian, and has thicker musculature. However, the hybrid’s bone density is lower and more suited to his  A-Chiltarian genome. The forked tongue, which is normally used to clean A-Chiltarian eyes, is not used for the same purpose. Instead the individual claimed that he can ‘smell scents’ better when tasting the air. This hybrid can’t talk in the high-pitched Centaurian language very well. His larynx is too low in the throat, and is not the appropriate shape. However, he can understand it better than any translator. The hybrids voice is more in tune with the low growling language of A-Chiltarians. Other A-Chiltarian claim that his voice is rather high pitched.   

Marsupials:   Yes! This is canon! Centaurians are marsupials! Now, if it’s the male or the female that has this carrier pouch is up to you. An interesting fact is that humans have sacrificed running speed and endurance for wider hips to push out our big ass heads through the pelvis. Marsupials solved this problem by giving birth at a much earlier stage and finish incubating/feeding the kid in a pouch; this lets the Centaurians keep their slender hips built for long distance running.

It’s been stated that Centaurians are just a little bit stronger than the average human athlete. As marsupials, however, they would be able to out run and out endure any human by a long shot. Because of their marsupial sexual dynamic, Centaurians are not drawn with nipples or belly buttons; an amazing artistic consistency that has stuck around even in modern comics.      

                                                         Smell: Centaurians have a very good sense of smell. Els was able to identify Spider-Man as Peter Parker by scent alone, and that was only after meeting him for one night. That could say something about a Centauirans memory on cataloging scents. This would also mean that if anyone that Yondu knows was trying to hide from him they wouldn’t get very far.                                                               

Hearing: It’s been said all over that a Centaurians hearing is very acute, and they are able to hear things too high-pitched for humans to detect. I can’t find any comic ref for this tho so if anyone knows of a good example feel free to send it over to me.                                           (Picture to be added)   Eye-Sight: Centaurian eyesight is much better than any humans. They are able to pick up the smallest details and analyze them. Yondu was able to tell Solo was wearing an image inducer the moment he walked into the room. Claiming that he had better eyesight than any Terran. If this is a trait of his species or proof of Yondu’s incredible observation skills I can’t know for certain.                                 

Memory: With a Photographic-memory Yondu was able to memorize every landscape and star chart so well he could get too and from even the most complex places. This would so suck cause he’d remember his slavery in every, damn, tiny, detail….                                                             

Blood: Centaurian blood is red. This would mean he’d be blushing a pretty shade of purple or violet. However, this is only consistent in modern comics and Yondu in the GoTg Movie has ‘darker than human’ red blood. So, there is a lot of room to improvise here.                                                                      

Courtship: They not only mate for life but they also only mate to procreate. Now, if this is because of religion or biology it’s never stated. But, since Yondu is talking about his species in general I’d say it’s a trait of his species. But, there are ways around this for those that like to write a nice nookie-nookie featuring our beloved blue space Ravager; Pirate!Yondu not only had his crest cut off (a key element in courtship and bonding) but he was also taken away from his home planet at a very young age and never learn key components to how things are done for his people.                                                 

Empaths:  

Centaurians are empaths. This means they can feel the emotions of others. But like any other skill this varies between individuals. The Yondu from the GoTG 3000 comics is a very powerful empath; in fact he was so strong that he could communicate with Mantis telepathically, which is a large step from just feeling emotions. While Pirate!Yondu doesn’t seem to show any kind of acknowledgement that he has this gift (although this could be due to lack of knowhow).

This Centaurian empathic ability goes beyond feeling emotions of others and allows the individual to communicate with lower life forms and have almost a radar sense similar to DareDevil, were they know when a living creature or person is close by before they even see them.                                                       

Crest:

The Tahlei is actually made up of tightly compressed hair fibers that are supported by a bone crest. To remove it is extremely painful for the individual, hinting that the crest has blood vessels and nerve endings. It’s also implied that the crest has something to do with mating rituals; because of this it’s devastating for a Centaurian to lose it, and they will be in pain both physically and psychology the rest of their life.                 

  Cubs:

 Centaurian babies are called cubs. It is the females that have the pouch BUT since the reboot the females were given human-like breasts, so it really wouldn’t make since for the female to still have the pouch if she has out if pouch breasts, and strangely Centaurian males are STILL drawn with no nipples on their chest. Which could mean anything so there is still room more anyone's imagination.                             

Once I read through the comics some more I’ll update this. But here is a link that has more info if you guys like: 

                                           (Link for larger image!) (Note: I call baby Centaurians ‘pups’ because that’s the word Yondu uses to reference Peter when he was younger. Now if this is just how Yondu talks or if it’s how Centaurians call their young idk. I’m just gonna call them pups... )

Unlike other mammals Centaurians are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the belly. Being marsupials, pups that are born are tiny. The average weight for a pup would be about 5 ounces, roughly the size of a baseball.

 It’s my headcanon that it’s the male that has this carrier pouch. The pouch itself starts just below the sternum, and ends just above the pelvis. The opening of the pouch is roughly 3-5 inches wide; the skin that forms the pouch is tight and stretches when needed. This keeps the pup from falling out when the parent leans over or from the pup getting out before its supposed to. 

Centaurians males do have in-pouch nipples. Four to be exact. Two just above/beside where the belly button should be and two just below the pouch line. The lower set is for younger cubs that are still too small to be out of the pouch, and the top set are for older cubs that are already out of the pouch; all the older cub has to do is pull down the lid of the pouch to gain access without having to reach all the way to the bottom, and disturb the smaller cub. This why they can nurse pubs of all ages. Pups stay in the pouch the majority of their infancy. Taken out only to be cleaned and regularly checked up on. As the pup grows it will eventually get too big to stay in the pouch, and once the pup is strong enough it will come out on its own. Once out of the pouch, pups are already strong enough to walk once taught how. Running comes shortly after.   

It’s also my headcanon that the stripes we see on Yondu and Oola in the comics are not tattoos at all but are in fact natural. All though on top of the food chain as the smartest species on their home planet they can become prey to other larger predatory life forms that evolved with them if they are not careful. Much like humans can fall prey to a man-eating tiger. As a predetor/prey species they evolved stripes, much like a tiger, that helps break up their outline when hunting/hiding in their vast jungle/rainforest environment.  

The stripes on pups changes from birth up until they hit puberty. New born pups don’t have much striping since they will not need it, but once they are older and out of the pouch their stripes are large and blotchy. This helps them blend in even better than the adults to keep them safe from predators. As they grow their stripes will become less chaotic and more organized as their adult striping forms. 

             Centaurian courtship and mating rituals is very complicated. Females are very VERY picky when it comes to choosing a mate. Although, males can be picky as well, it’s not to the extent of females. It’s based on communication and body language.

When approaching courtship it’s always the male that takes that first step. To prevent any misunderstandings or unwanted attention he picks a time when both he, and his chosen female are in seclusion before approaching. There is no beating around the bush when it comes to courtship, and the desire to be with someone in that manner. He flushes blood and UV pigment cells into his crest. Creating a vibrant and flashy display. (invisible to any without UV type vision)

It’s a blunt and unmistakable request, a question that is asked without words “I would like to court you. Will you have me?”. If she is interested she will respond with a display of her own. If the advances are unwanted she will quite vocally (and physically if need be) reject him.

If the pair are good for each other and work well they take the next step. By exchanging something of great value. It could be something sentimental or something that is needed for survival. This exchange it a test of trust. If their partner can care for this object that is of great value then they could care for other things of need.  

There are other tests that both male and female give each other to see if they are compatible mates, and each is different depending on what they are looking for in a partner. Constantly gadging each others actions, reactions, and how willing they are to compromise when a test, or expectations are not met.  

However, they can be challenged at any given time. A rival male or female can challenge the corresponding gender for their right to that partner. Challenges are met with a lot of hostility, and little tolerance. Centaurians are not known for backing down.

Male challenges are a bit different that female ones. The challenger makes his intentions verbally, and if/when the challenge is met the defending male must make his intent clear. By giving a loud battle cry the defending male signals that he is willing to defend his possession with brute force if necessary.

Because of the high pitched language Centaurians use and the location of the larynx the battle cry is in fact a bugle. The bugle is two sounds in one a high pitched whistle and a low growl at the same time. The tone of the bugle is different for each different purpose; a location giver, display, and a call to battle. In the case of a battle over mating rights the bulges low growl is emphasized dramatically. Making it a clear threat.

Only males have the ability to bugle due to the formation of their teeth.

If the challenging male responds it’s a sign he is ready to do what is necessary to take the defending males prize. Fights over mating rights are brutal, and can go on for hours. No weapons are allowed in these kinds of fights, and the female being fought over can not assist any of the males.

If the defending male wins he will not kill his opponent. But if his opponent challenges him again it is in the defending males right to kill his repeated offender. If the challenging male wins the female can issue a challenge of her own if she chooses to remain with the original male. If the female challenges the rival male, she will win given that the rival male would have spent all his efforts into beating the defending male.  

If the male has proven without a doubt that he is the man for her she will accept his gift of  one of his own Yaka earrings. In human terms this would be like giving a wedding ring. It is also a visual display to others that the pair are committed to each other. At this point in their courtship the pair cannot be challenged. Higher ranking clan members are given a ceremony and lower ranking ones have a more private one.   

Because of the empathic nature of Centaurians they mate for life. The longer they are together the stronger their bond becomes and if one dies it’s unlikely that they will find another mate. Having children increases the bond because of the dual responsibility that both parents must take on.

The complex courtship rituals also have a bit of xenophobic consequences for Centaurians. They will only get into a romantic relationship knowing that they only mate to reproduce, and for more sexually active species it could present a bit of a problem. If the chances of reproducing with an alien species are slim or they are not compatible at all they will reject the advances.

It still all comes down to the fact that they just don’t find other alien species attractive. Thus making half-Centaurian babies extremely rare.

All in all. Courtship between Centaurians is complicated and delicate. With both parties knowing that they are getting into this for life. Their empathic nature makes things a little easier along the way, and soon the pair will be so intune with each other they can read their partners mind.