Krayt dragon/Legends

The krayt dragon was a large carnivorous reptile native to Tatooine. A fierce hunter, the krayt dragon became an important part of indigenous cultures on Tatooine. The krayt dragon was thought by some xenobiologists to have descended from the Duinuogwuin (also known as Star Dragons). Although no substantial evidence was offered in support of a connection to the Duinuogwuin, the krayt dragon was a proven relative of the smaller kell dragon. In honor of the beast's sheer power and ferocity, the Jedi Order named the Djem So form of lightsaber combat "The Way of the Krayt Dragon."

When the summer mating season began, the terrifying howls of krayt dragons filled the canyons of Tatooine. The collection of frenzied, mating beasts scared even the mightiest Sandpeople away. Obi-Wan Kenobi mimicked a krayt dragon mating call when he scared the raiders away from Luke Skywalker.

Characteristics and species
The krayt dragon had a set of sharp teeth used for capturing prey, but relied on ingesting stones to grind the food through a series of gizzards into a digestible state. Food would be crushed by the stones tumbled in the gizzards by stomach muscles, grinding food into pulp and turning boulders into smooth stones. The resulting stones, known as dragon pearls, were a valuable commodity amongst jewelers. The pearls could also be shaped and tuned by Jedi to be used as focusing crystals in their lightsabers. Krayt dragons instinctually went to the Krayt Graveyard when they were ready to die.

The canyon krayt was a common species of krayt dragon that lived in the rocky caves and canyons of Tatooine's desert ranges. More often than not, the term "krayt dragon" referred to this lifeform.

The greater krayt, was a rarer, larger species of krayt dragon, known for its tremendous size and continual growth over time. Creatures of near legendary status, greater krayt dragons had ten legs, measured at least 100 meters from snout to tail tip and had the ability to move through or on Tatooine's desert sand. Greater krayt dragons attacked with their massive jaws or whiplike spike-tail, using their claws only to move through the sand.



In spite of its awesome power, the krayt dragon does have its weak and exploitable points. First, it has trouble resisting the allure of the prey of the Dune Sea, specifically the bantha; second, it has difficulty discerning two-dimensional images, often attacking shadows; and finally, a well-placed shot could bore right through the weak sinus cavity of the beast and hit the brain, killing it instantly.

The krayt could also secrete a lethal venom, either through its teeth or its spines. Although its nature is unclear, the existence of this poison has been verified, as numerous underworld characters such as Bib Fortuna have admitted to using the substance to kill enemies.

Krayts in Tatooine culture
The Sandpeople of Tatooine revered the krayt dragon as a powerful hunter and centered their primary maturity ritual on it. Adolescent males were abandoned in the Tatooine dune and only accepted back into their tribes as adults when they had slain a krayt dragon. Both the Sandpeople and Jawas placed the krayt dragon in the position of a powerful spirit, and believed that their bones possessed magic. Jawas brave enough to risk the acquisition of krayt dragon bones were held in high regard amongst their people.

Behind the scenes
The artificial skeleton used for A New Hope was left in the Tunisian desert after filming and still lies there. During filming of Attack of the Clones, the site was visited by the crew and the skeleton was still found there.

In the Star Wars: Legacy series, Darth Krayt is the name of the new Sith Lord of the New Sith Order.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, called a "Bull" Krayt Dragon
 * Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (game)
 * Star Wars Republic: Outlander
 * Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
 * Shatterpoint
 * Sandstorm
 * Adventure in Beggar's Canyon
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novelization
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided
 * Pearls in the Sand
 * Battle of the Bounty Hunters
 * Tales from Jabba's Palace
 * Dark Empire II
 * Junior Jedi Knights: Promises
 * Junior Jedi Knights: Anakin's Quest
 * Star Wars: Legacy