Unidentified tusked species

Unidentified tusked species (Endor)
Biological classification
Designation	Non-sentient
Physical characteristics
Hair color	Brown and white
Distinctions	Small tusks
Sociocultural characteristics
Homeworld	Endor

"I don't get it. It's just a dead animal, Chewie."

―Han Solo

A non-sentient tusked creature lived on Endor, a forested moon orbiting the planet of the same name. This animal had a strong odor and was sometimes used as a bait by the native Ewoks, a species of bear-like furry bipeds. In 4 ABY, the heroes of the Rebel Alliance Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 fell into the net of an Ewok hunter, whose trap used one such creature as a bait.

Biology and appearance

The corpse of a tusked creature

"Ticking up what? Try to be more specific, would you?"

―C-3PO, upon first hearing about Chewbacca's "olfactory delirium"

This mammal was a non-sentient species living on the lush Endor, one of the nine natural satellites orbiting the gas giant planet also named Endor. Its coarse and short fur was mostly tan, except for the white hair on the underbelly and around the mouth (the latter of which acted as a mane), and its flesh, when exposed, had a pinkish hue. The creature had a small mouth with four protruding tusks, two of which protruded upward. It also had a white mane on the ridge of the head, as well as small eyes with golden irises. It also had cloved hooves, as well as equestrian-like legs. The body of such animals released a stong odor that some meat-eating species found appealing. The Wookiees, a race of furry giants from the planet Kashyyyk, were very receptive to the smell of that Endorian tusked creature, which made their senses go wild, in some sort of "olfactory delirium."

History

The heroes of the Rebel Alliance finding the caracass of a tusked creature

"It would appear to be an animal carcass hang from a wooden pole."

―C-3PO

In 4 ABY, a dead member of this tusked species was used as the bait of an Ewok trap in which Rebel Alliance members Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 were caught in. Chewbacca had detected the animal's odor through the trees. At the center of a glade, a tall stake was planted in the ground, from which the bait hung. The scent of raw meat was very appealing to the hungry Wookiee, who was unable to resist and rushed to the stake. The moment Chewbacca tried to remove a piece of flesh from the carcass, a huge net sprang up all around the adventurers, instantly scooping them up high above the ground.

Behind the scenes

The Endorian tusked creature was first seen in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, the third installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, which was released in 1983. It was also featured in most adaptations of the movie, including the novelization, the comic series and the radio dramatization.

This present article assumes the tusked creature is non-sentient, since both Return of the Jedi and the 1998 CD-ROM Star Wars: Behind the Magic explicitly call it an "animal." Due to the full coat of hair covering its body, this species is likely mammalian, but no Legends source ever mentioned it.

The animal used for the prop is a white tailed deer with fake teeth added to the deer's anus.

Appearances

• Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novel (First appearance)
• Return of the Jedi radio drama
• Return of the Jedi 3
• Star Wars Manga: Return of the Jedi 3
• Return of the Jedi: A Storybook

Sources

• Star Wars: Behind the Magic (as "dead animal")