Sexual Tribbles?

[RobertScorpio]

If Tribbles are born pregnant, then where did the first Tribble come from? From what we can tell they have no sexual organs and seem to just, well, make new tribbles. So how did the first Tribble come to be??? I think they might be Q turds. Why not?

 

[Nebusj]

Being born pregnant's no particular trick; quite a few insect species on Earth are both that way. And there's no claim that tribbles are sexless; in fact, we're told explicitly they're bisexual, enjoying male and female components. We just don't have detailed footage of them having sex since, you know, it's a network TV show.

 

[Shatmandu]

Being born pregnant's no particular trick; quite a few insect species on Earth are both that way. And there's no claim that tribbles are sexless;

It's the shows fans that are described as sexless.

Joe, the anti-sex

 

[Timo]

we're told explicitly they're bisexual, enjoying male and female components

...Although in normal language, "bisexual" indicates a preference for having sex with both genders even though you have only male or female "components" - while the tribbles instead are probably supposed to be "hermaphrodites", creatures that have both male and female sexual organs (or at least glands).

Doesn't mean tribbles couldn't be bisexual, too. Indeed, it would be extremely difficult for them to be heterosexual if they only exist in a single, combined gender...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[simmsbc]

If Tribbles are born pregnant, then where did the first Tribble come from? From what we can tell they have no sexual organs and seem to just, well, make new tribbles. So how did the first Tribble come to be??? I think they might be Q turds. Why not?

They obviously evolved from another species. I mean bacteria reproduce asexually and some tapeworms are hermaphrodites and literally fertilize their own eggs, so this could happen. Also McCoy was, I think, emphasizing how fast they reproduce with a little bit of exaggeration to get Kirk to act more quickly. You can also see by the expression on his face that he is not being literal.