This is the parent race for both the Vahrkeeth and Caerkeeth. They are one of three dominant sentient species on their planet, and they are the only remaining race capable of developing technology. Their primary thrust is to leave their world in favor for space because of a steady, unavoidable decay in their world's environment.
Mahkeeth are so social that isolation is considered a harsher punishment than death, and Mahkeeth kept in isolation will rapidly degrade to self-destructive behaviors to escape the pain of being alone. Their engineered cousins were made to help their society with the needs of living in space and getting there, and all Keeth species share powerful social bonds.
Violence in modern mahkeeth society is uncommon, but when it occurs it tends to be groups against each other rather than individuals.
The bright colors of the mahkeeth are a warning as they are highly venomous with both neurotoxic and proteolytic components to their bite, both of which they are immune to. Their bite is sometimes used for hunting, but more often it is used as a deterrent.
The antennae and orange tail ring are bioluminescent which helps mahkeeth find each other and signal over distance at night. Their have terrible night vision, and the glow helps stragglers find their way home. Gatherings of mahkeeth in the trees is often likened to the glow of a fire.
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squizzle
Active at night, but lousy night vision? They lost the genetic lottery. =(