A Class-M planet, Lactra VII has a blue-black atmosphere when seen from space. The surface has gravity and atmosphere that are "earth normal." The surface has been terraformed in a random pattern, with rainforests and deserts existing side by side. When Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew arrive in 2269 (stardate: 5501.2), they discover that the highly advanced race of Lactrans maintains an interplanetary zoo on the planet, with the terraforming providing multiple environments.