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To: <classified>

From: <classified>

Date: 15/10/2033

Subject: <classified>

For the attention of <redacted>:

The preliminary results of <redacted> have now been analysed. Officially, no evidence exists for <redacted>. Thus, it is imperative that the public is not informed and this information remains strictly classified.

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The sentient species detected on Kepler 435-d is DNA-based, oxygen breathing and resembles the order of amphibians named Anura (frogs) on Earth. Our findings show that this species is the same size, or slightly larger than humans.

The frogs move with a combination of jumping, swimming, climbing and bipedalism, with vehicular transport observed over long distances. With long legs and large, flipper-like webbed feet, they are not confident two-legged walkers on land. Although they do walk upright, swimming and hopping is preferred. The thicker atmosphere means that it is possible for a frog with these body proportions to walk upright, but only with difficulty.

However, individuals have been observed making unassisted jumps of over thirty metres.

As with frogs on Earth, individuals have been observed in a range of colours and appear to be able to alter their colouration to some extent. The most common skin tones are green, brown, grey-blue, light grey, black, dark red and dark yellow. Some individuals have been observed wearing what appears to be clothing.

The largely watery, damp environment of Kepler 435-d has evidently given rise to an environment ideal for the development of a sentient anuran-like species. Perhaps thanks to the remarkably even temperatures throughout the planet, never exceeding -25 or +35, this species has not evolved warm blood, as shown by the fact temperature elevation in cities and towns is lower than expected and heat sensors did not observe any significant difference when focusing on individuals.

The remarkable stability of the planet's climate and the lack of variation or discrepancy in its orbit merits a further study.

The communications of this species have not thus far been decoded successfully, and none are specifically directed towards Earth. The planet's huge freshwater ocean and the prevalence of marshy habitats ensures any sentient species must be a confident swimmer. Observations suggest that, as with several amphibian species on Earth, this species can remain underwater unaided for lengthy periods of two hours or longer.

While the temperature remains fairly even throughout the year, the planet experiences strong electrical storms on a regular basis due to the high oxygen content of the atmosphere. The authors of the attached report hypothesise that energy from these storms is harvested by the planet's inhabitants. While the atmosphere is thicker than Earth, enough solar energy does hit the planet to maintain some of their energy needs. Additionally, large dams have also been observed.

The planet is extremely rich in coal and other fossil fuels. However, these materials appear to be solely used for building. Large structures have been observed made from coal.

Like frogs on Earth, this species has a larval or tadpole stage, although frogspawn is never observed, suggesting it may be deposited in the home. Families appear large and tadpoles are rarely observed swimming alone, indicating the existence of juvenile care in this species.

The planet is twice the size of Earth and much of it shows little sign of settlement. The population is estimated as no more than 5 billion, living in a range of settlements from large cities to tiny villages. The land around some of these villages predominantly contains a few types of plants, and the species has been observed engaging in agriculture-like behaviour.

Amphibians on Earth are attacked by a range of parasites and diseases including sarcophagid flies, ranavirus and the devastating Chtyrid fungus which has devastated frog populations. The cold blood of amphibians and their preference for damp environments makes them susceptible to fungal infections. However, on Kepler 435-d, very few unhealthy and no dead individuals have been observed.

SURVEILLANCE OF DWELLINGS ON KEPLER 435-D

Three surveillance flypast missions have been conducted on collections of dwellings on Kepler 435-d. These operations took place with an unmanned spacecraft. Data for the last and most extensive surveillance flyover was partly lost, as contact was lost with the probe.

ESTUARY VILLAGE

The first flyover was conducted over a group of 18 dwellings analogous to an agricultural village. The dwellings were constructed from coal, which had been carved out of an adjacent hillside, and their rooves consisted of rock, mud and grass. It was set on an island in an estuary, where one side faced dry, and indeed rocky and arid land, and the other side was a partially flooded marsh. Behind the marsh was a huge flat plain.

In this village were several family groups of varying sizes including tadpoles and very small frogs. While tadpoles did not appear to undertake any work, frogs of all ages were observed working in the huge plains nearby. Adjacent to most dwellings were smaller areas in which various organisms were kept.

The largest resembled snails and slugs on Earth, and appeared domesticated. The snails had symbols painted on their shells, the meaning of which is unknown. One individual was observed loading a cart pulled by a snail, while another was observed using slime from a slug's trail to repair a broken roof.

Besides residential dwellings, the village also included a large, very tall plant with a fluting stem. Villagers frequently entered the plant through a gap in its stem and it appears to have some religious or spiritual significance. Tadpoles were observed swimming in and out of the entrance to a large structure largely made of coal and mud, which may have been a school. Adjacent to this was a similar structure surrounded by channels of water, the purpose of which was unknown.

In the centre of the village was a dry, stony area with a small, rectangular stone pool dug into the ground. The pool contained a black liquid which did not appear to be water. Several frogs were sitting in this pool.

DESERT TOWN

The second group consisted of around 20,000 dwellings, and was analogous in size to a medium sized town on Earth. Unexpectedly for an amphibian species, this town was situated in a desert-like area away from large natural water bodies. Despite increased humidity, this area experienced rain less than once every two years during our observation. Plants in the area were observed to have adaptations for the retention of water.

Unlike the village, individuals in this area were observed wearing clothing, mostly white garments which covered their entire bodies. Most were yellow or orange in colouration. Some residences appeared to be below ground or carved into rocks as frogs were commonly seen emerging from such holes.

Hundreds of structures were also seen which resembled apartment blocks on Earth. These appeared to be constructed from coal, limestone and sandstone. Plants were growing around many of these blocks, indicating they were being kept damper than surrounding areas.

Tadpoles were not observed in this town, although several very young frogs were seen in family groups and alone. Snails and slugs were not viewed, and vehicular transport was common.

The most common personal vehicle in the town was a scooter-like device which is driven standing and propelled by a frog kicking its leg against the ground. The scooter has a spring and can also be used in a crouched position to give the frog extra power in its jump. The thicker atmosphere means that the frog can steer itself to a limited extent in the air. Hundreds of such devices were seen, and the town also had what resembled a large railway station with a line stretching across the desert.

A short distance from this was what appeared to be a commercial district, and a large paved area. Desert plants surrounded it, and in the centre was a sandstone statue of a large frog. The significance is unknown.

Several pools resembling those seen in the village were observed. These appear to be recreational in nature. In most cases they were occupied by groups of frogs who appeared to be socialising.

It is hypothesised that the liquid in the pools could be alcoholic. On Earth, amphibians do not drink liquids directly, but absorb them through the skin.

Wild and semi-wild animals which do not resemble anything found on Earth were observed in the town. Unlike the village, no animals were seen domesticated. The animals were left undisturbed by the frogs, and some appeared to be treated with reverence.

CITY

The third location was a very large aggregation with over 3 million residences. This city was located on the coast of one of the largest continents, near to the polar region. However it was not significantly cold. More apartment blocks were seen, although frogs also inhabited carved out rocks and areas below ground. As well as roads, the area had canals between and under the houses.

Although a detailed map of the city was produced, contact was then lost with the probe, and we have been unable to retrieve the map. We are trying to ascertain the reasons.

If contact is not reestablished, a second flyover will be conducted.