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- "Good girl."
- ―Obi-Wan Kenobi to Boga
Varactyls, also known as Dragonmounts, were reptavian herbivores native to the planet Utapau, though some specimens found their way to worlds such as Kashyyyk[2] and Belsavis[3].
Biology
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Boga, a female Varactyl
They had beaked faces and long, powerful tails that could stretch to 10 meters. 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. While females sported blue-green plumage and skin, males were mostly dull shades of orange and brown. Most important were the varactyl's five-toed feet. Not only could a varactyl run very fast, but their feet were adapted with tiny hairlike structures that allowed them to climb the rocky walls of Utapau's sinkholes. This marked the varactyl as an excellent mount for the native Utapauns.
A varactyl's vocalizations were short, loud hooting calls.
Varactyls were very intelligent creatures who long remembered previous riders. The varactyl's reaction to a rider epended on how that rider had treated it previously: it would be loyal and affectionate to a good rider, but hostile and dangerous to an abusive one.
Varactyl subspecies included the dwarf varactyl, varactyl venomblade,[2] varactyl preystalker[2] and deathspine varactyl.[2] It could be related to the Nos monster on Utapau.
History
Edit

Boga and Obi-Wan Kenobi
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 Order 66 by ordering 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 below.
Many years 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.

A large number of varactyls once attacked the Wookiees of the Kerritamba Village. After they had finally fended off the attacks at the Great Tree, the Wookiees drove the varactyls out of the Kkowir Forest.[2]
Appearances
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- Knights of the Old Republic 6: Commencement, Part 6
- Star Wars: The Old Republic
- Star Wars: The Old Republic: Galactic Strongholds
- Maul: Lockdown
- Star Wars: Grievous Getaway
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith novelization
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith video game
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith junior novel
- Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 2 (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 3
Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees
Non-canon appearances
Edit
Sources
Edit
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars Galaxies: The Total Experience: Prima Official Game Guide
Star Wars Miniatures: Universe (Pack: Obi-Wan on Boga)
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- Star Wars: Complete Locations
Exploring Real Life Varactyls on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
Star Wars Miniatures: Champions of the Force (Pack: Varactyl Wrangler)
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption: Prima Official Game Guide
- The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
"Starship Battles Preview 6: Techno Union Starfighter and Utapaun Starfighter" on Wizards.com (original article link, backup links)
- Threats of the Galaxy
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- The Essential Atlas
Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game – The Shadow Syndicate (Card: Varactyl Armor)
- Star Wars Art: Visions (Picture only)
- Star Wars: Head-to-Head Tag Teams
Boga in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
Utapau in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
Utapaun in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
"The Art Side of the Force"—Star Wars Insider 130
- Star Wars: The Old Republic Explorer's Guide
- Star Wars: What Makes a Monster?
Boga in the Encyclopedia (link now obsolete; backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Stay on Target
Steadfast Champion Pack Hits the Cartel Market on The Old Republic's official website (backup link)