The Gladnaugh are a hexa-limbed amphibious species native to the planet Okun’ala in the Aq' Torpaklari System. They have a thick, sleek, and semi-translucent outer skin covering the chromodermis—a layer of iridophore, chromophore, and nanocrystal clusters that allow Gladnaughs to change their coloration. They are known for their gentle, compassionate natures and immense strength, having dense, heavily-muscled bodies as a result of the planet's gravitational force. Described as a “rippling” or “dappled” effect, organic bioluminescent patterns flicker across their bodies, changing color and pattern in reaction to emotional and hormonal triggers as well as temperature and light receptors. Their heads have thick ridges and “tusks”, protecting two pairs of inset eyes. The smaller, secondary pair are primarily used for peripheral surveillance and color reception, while the primary pair are responsible for depth perception, movement tracking, and light reception. Importantly, the primary eyes do not have receptors, indicating that the trait—and perhaps the secondary set of eyes altogether—are a relatively recent adaptation developed as Gladnaugh ancestors moved out of the deep caves of their origins and began to live and hunt on the surface of Okun’ala.
According to Researcher Tej Ọrọ of the Shecog-Oh Institute, this relocation and its resulting physical adaptations enabled the linguistic and cultural development of the Gladnaugh species. The official written language of the Gladnaugh is Fòmpale, written using a system of characters written in loops, with the text oriented towards Aq' Torpaklari. Gladnaugh physiology prevents the development of a verbal language; however, the species uses the hybrid language of Mọ’pin, which combines gestural signing, head-crest signaling, and “cruuning,” nonverbal expressive vocalizations. "Mọ’pin," writes Oro, "is essentially the simultaneous communication of three distinct languages:
- head-crest signaling, where individuals flash light patterns from the crest chromodermis while 'fanning', ongoing extension or retraction of the crest;
- signing and expressive gestures using up to three hands at once;
- and 'cruuning,' throat vocalizations that use pitch, duration, and volume in single tone or melodic utterances, often harmonizing with interlocutors (Oro, p. 216)."
The Gladnaugh have a rapid developmental cycle from hatching to adulthood, with immense gains in physical size and cognitive ability over the course of an individual's first half-orbit of Okun’ala around its sun.
The Gladnaugh were a founding member species of the Federation.