Ocampa (species)

• Appearance: Largely indistinguishable from humans
  • Large, scalloped ears
• Homeworld: Ocampa
• Biological notes
  • Embryos develop within mother's mitral sac (VOY: "Elogium", "Before and After")
  • Multiple births common but not exclusive
    • Mathematically required for species growth given that Ocampa are only fertile once in their life
  • Lifespan of approximately nine Ocampan years
    • Calculated as approximately 13.5 Human years; see Ocampan calendar
    • Ocampa lifespan divided into phases
      • Childhood spans the first half-year, with adulthood by one year old (VOY: "Before and After")
        • Young Ocampa inherit memories via telepathic contact with community, making up for shortened childhood with accelerated learning rate (VOY Novel: Evolution)
        • Ocampa naturally possess eidetic memory, also aiding in accelerated learning (VOY: "Eye of the Needle")
      • Elogium (VOY: "Elogium")
        • Single mating period during a given Ocampa lifespan (VOY: "Elogium")
        • Occurs between ages of four and five (VOY: "Elogium")
        • Mitral sac forms during this period, sheds if no child is conceived (VOY: "Elogium")
        • Mother begins to produce ipasaphor from their palms, indicating beginning of fertility window (VOY: "Elogium")
          • Ipasaphor helps to facilitates six-day mating bond (VOY: "Elogium")
          • If bond not engaged, fertility window closes permanently 52 hours after production of ipasaphor (VOY: "Elogium")
      • Morilogium (VOY: "Before and After")
        • Final phase of life (VOY: "Before and After")
        • Occurs during ninth year (VOY: "Before and After")
        • Rapid physical aging, mental deterioration prior to death (VOY: "Before and After")
  • Telepathic and telekinetic abilities (VOY: "Caretaker", "Cold Fire", "Warlord", "The Gift", "Fury")
• Cultural notes
  • Ocampan calendar
  • Mnemosia (VOY Short Story: "Closure")
    • Telepathic memorial used to store the memories and experiences of elders for later generations (VOY Short Story: "Closure")
    • Tradition ended by 24th century (VOY Short Story: "Closure")
      • Potentially in part due to declining telepathic abilities?