Ikopi/Legends

The ikopi was a fleet-footed ungulate with telescopic legs for fast locomotion. They lived in the plains and swamps of Naboo and its moon Rori and traveled in herds.

Characteristics


Ikopis had short necks, for defensive purposes. They compensated for that with a tube-like tongue, roughly 2 to 3 times longer than their head, to reach food far above their reach. Its tongue was hollow which allowed them to suck up water, or nectar, like a straw. When not being used, the ikopi's tongue would coil up inside a sack in the animal's cheek.

Behind the scenes
The ikopi design was inspired by a North African / Saharan gazelle, with a few giraffe-like characteristics thrown in.

In habit, appearance (including the long tongue), and name, the ikopi was inspired by the real-life giraffid of Africa known as the okapi, which once was widespread throughout the savannahs, but now can only be found in the Congo jungle.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace comic
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Gungan Frontier