Vulptereen/Legends

Vulptereens were barrel-shaped sentient species with shovel-like mouths from the planet Vulpter.

Biology
Vulptereens had six tusks protruding outward from their snouts, a feeler on their snout, and two pointed ears on top. Their eyes were yellow-green, with black pupils capable of seeing in dark conditions, yet they lacked good depth perception. This resulted in the use of echolocation in these conditions.

The species' two arms ended in clawed hands, that if dismembered could result in aphasia since they lacked a central brain. However, they were quite hardy when exposed to a variety of environments and did not succumb to toxic conditions.

Vulptereens were known for piloting craft, including Podracers.

History
The Vulptereen were native to Vulpter, a world that once contained a thriving ecosystem. When the Vulptereen reached their industrial age, they quickly transformed their homeworld their verdant world into a polluted junkyard planet due to over industrialization.

In between 20,000 BBY and 15,000 BBY, the Vulptereens were discovered by the Galactic Republic, and they quickly joined the rest of the galactic community.

The Vulptereen, along with several other sapient species, were a key founding race of the Trade Federation, of which the Vulptereen prided themselves greatly. However around 32 BBY, a power grab by the greedy Neimoidians resulted in them losing power, which allowed the Neimoidians to exploit the Vulptereens. The Neimoidians also polluted Vulpter even more through further industrialization, and set up a major base of operations in the city of Benoga.

Behind the scenes
At one point, Randy Stradley, a writer for Dark Horse Comics, wanted to create a Vulptereen Jedi. However, he was told that "they're not smart enough to be Jedi".

Appearances



 * Star Wars: Episode I Racer
 * Podracing Tales
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars: Racer Revenge
 * Star Wars: Republic 33: Darkness, Part 2
 * Star Wars: Dark Times: The Path to Nowhere
 * Star Wars: Dark Times: The Path to Nowhere

Notes and references
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Vol. III, p. 314.