diff --git a/src/services/CharacterService.java b/src/services/CharacterService.java
index 4d60f425..7717b4bd 100644
--- a/src/services/CharacterService.java
+++ b/src/services/CharacterService.java
@@ -232,10 +232,12 @@ public class CharacterService implements INetworkDispatch {
 				if (constitution >= 1) core.skillModService.addSkillMod(object, "constitution", (int) constitution);
 				if (stamina >= 1) core.skillModService.addSkillMod(object, "stamina", (int) stamina);
 				if (agility >= 1) core.skillModService.addSkillMod(object, "agility", (int) agility);
+
 				object.createTransaction(core.getCreatureODB().getEnvironment());
 				
 				PlayerObject player = (PlayerObject) core.objectService.createObject("object/player/shared_player.iff", object.getPlanet());
 				object._add(player);
+				core.skillService.addSkill(object, "species_" + object.getStfName());
 				player.setProfession(clientCreateCharacter.getProfession());
 				player.setProfessionWheelPosition(clientCreateCharacter.getProfessionWheelPosition());
 				if(clientCreateCharacter.getHairObject().length() > 0) {
diff --git a/src/services/EntertainmentService.java b/src/services/EntertainmentService.java
index 8d253fde..ee88e386 100644
--- a/src/services/EntertainmentService.java
+++ b/src/services/EntertainmentService.java
@@ -258,9 +258,6 @@ public class EntertainmentService implements INetworkDispatch {
 	}
 	
 	public boolean canDance(CreatureObject actor, Performance dance) {
-		for (String x : actor.getAbilities() ) {
-			System.out.println(x);
-		}
 		if (actor.hasAbility(dance.getRequiredDance())) {
 			return true;
 		}
diff --git a/src/services/SkillService.java b/src/services/SkillService.java
index a6cd92c4..e4f970e3 100644
--- a/src/services/SkillService.java
+++ b/src/services/SkillService.java
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ public class SkillService implements INetworkDispatch {
 						String[] schematicsGranted = ((String) skillTable.getObject(s, 23)).split(",");
 						String[] schematicsRevoked = ((String) skillTable.getObject(s, 24)).split(",");
 						
+						boolean speciesSkill = skill.matches("^species.+$");
+						
 						if (isTitle == true) {
 							core.playerService.addPlayerTitle(player, skill);
 							Console.println("Gave skill title: " + skill);
@@ -95,8 +97,9 @@ public class SkillService implements INetworkDispatch {
 						if (isProfession) {
 							return;
 						}
-						
-						if (godOnly || isHidden) {
+
+						//exempt species skills from being returned -- they're marked godOnly but really meant to be granted
+						if ((!speciesSkill) && ( godOnly  || isHidden)) {
 							return;
 						}