Varactyl/Legends

"Good girl."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi to Boga

The varactyl, also known as dragonmounts, were reptilian lizard-like herbivores native to the planet Utapau, though some specimens found their way to worlds such as Taris and Kashyyyk.

Biology


They had beaked faces and long, powerful tails. The varactyl's flexible neck supported its armor-plated skull, and both male and female dragonmounts had crests and a ridge of mid-body spines displayed during courting ritual. While females sported blue green plumage and skin, males were mostly dull shades of orange and brown. and plu Most important were the varactyl's five-clawed feet. Not only could a varactyl run at very fast speeds, but their claws were adapted to climbing the rocky walls of Utapau's sinkholes. This marked the varactyl as an excellent mount for the native Utapauns.

Varactyls were very intelligent creatures with the ability to remember its riders far into the future. Depending on how that rider treated them previously corresponds to the varactyl's reaction to them, either loyal and affectionate to a good rider, or hostile and dangerous to an abusive one.

History


Long ago, the stunted Utai learned to tame wild varactyl, and still served as wranglers for the dragonmounts, acting as keepers of both varactyl and their flying dactillion cousins. Varactyl were known to be loyal and obedient steeds. Riding a varactyl was reportedly similar to riding the speedy suubatars of Ansion. Both creatures were fitted with high-backed saddles for their riders.

In order to track down General Grievous, Obi-Wan Kenobi used a particularly swift and loyal varactyl named Boga. In record time, Boga reached the tenth level of Pau City, and engaged General Grievous in his wheel bike in a furious chase through the city.

Commander Cody carried out Palpatine's execution of Order 66 and ordered an AT-TE's gunner to fire upon Boga and Obi-Wan, however the AT-TE's cannon blast hit a wall near them, and the two plunged to the grotto several yards below.

At some point during or before the Galactic Civil War, someone had brought a live varactyl egg to Kashyyyk. When the egg was subsequently lost, it hatched and soon dozens of varactyl populated a section of jungle on the Wookiee homeworld. As varactyls are not known to be able to reproduce asexually, how this happened is unknown.

Behind the scenes



 * According to the Lucasfilm-sanctioned Salacious B. Crumb Creature Pack - Inclusive Edition, by Sideshow Collectibles, a varactyl subspecies known as "Dwarf Varactyls" made its way to Tatooine.
 * Distinct in its physiology for featuring four functional wings, a Dwarf Varactyl "uses all of its cunning and speed to stay out of the clutches of the rapacious Crumb, and away from the Worrt's sticky tongue".

Appearances

 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement
 * Grievous: Getaway
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees
 * Star Wars Galaxies: Trials of Obi-Wan
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope