REPORT 5100286-@#
PROJECT: Galaxy Fred, System Engelbert, Habitated Planet Rapunzel
AGENT: 5589-4560011, Axipiti Nyzarg-Jones
STATUS REPORT
All hail the Big Giant Head!
We have observed creatures on the planet using a strange form of physical communication. They expell liquid or solid matter from hole(s) usually located somewhere between the hind legs. The liquid matter often comes from the same hole as reproductive material, but has no reproductive properties.
This style of communication is similar to leaving a sign or message behind: it allows the animal sending the message to leave it in a spot for other animals to pick up when they are in the vicinity.
Humans, which appear to be one of the more evolved species on the planet, have developed entire shrines around this form of communication. Although they appear to have other methods of leaving messages behind, they still spend a fair amount of time leaving messages in these shrines, sometimes labelled "bathrooms", "washrooms", "lavatories", or "johns". Having a centralized location for message-leaving allows humans to pass on messages to a large number of recipients, and it is common for all humans in a building to visit the message shrine at least once during the time they are there. Some will visit the shrine several times in a span of hours.
Based on the genders we have identified so far, shrines appear to be seperated this way in public areas, which limits the ability to send "love letters" through this form of communication, although other animals seem to consider this a particularly beautiful and poetic mating ritual, with males often using the liquid-material messages to attract females. Also in public message shrines, the male gender has two different types of message-sending receptacles instead of one. This seems to correspond with their differently-shaped message-sending/reproductive implements, and may be a simple time-saving measure. Some message shrines, particularly in private buildings, are available to all humans.
Some humans also engage in direct speech-based communication while in the message shrine, but this seems to be secondary, and some humans discourage this activity. Perhaps it offends their sense of traditionalism to send ordinary messages in this primitive but more sanctified setting. Humans normally engage in ritualistic hand washing after sending their messages, and the messages are washed away, normally by water, but the essence of the message remains (study suggests the creatures can at least smell the message for a period of time after it is removed, and other senses may be involved too).
Occassionally, humans engage in sending messages outside of the shrines, but this seems to be antisocial behaviour, not unlike a psychopath talking to itself, unaware of its surroundings. This type of behaviour is often concealed from other humans. These wasted messages are regarded with distaste by humans, as are messages from other species. Humans that live with other animals may build a separate, less-adorned shrine for the other animals or force the other animals to send messages outside of their buildings. Another example of the stubborn refusal at communication between species on planet Rapunzel.
We intend to study this form of communication further as it may prove to be a useful message-encoding tool for any resistance planet Rapunzel offers to our impending invasion. Our other studies continue on schedule, with nothing of interest to report at this time.