Varactyl
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Varactyls are fictional creatures in the Star Wars universe, seen during Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
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[edit] Varactyl species
The varactyls of Utapau are reptile-avian hybrids used as mounts by the native Utai. Extremely fast and agile, the varactyl race across the planet's scrubland and along the rocky walls of the Utapaun sinkholes with ease.
The varactyls are reptilian herbivores native to the planet Utapau. They average fifty feet in length and thirteen feet in height (at the shoulder). They have beaked faces and long, powerful tails. The varactyl's flexible neck supports its armour-plated skull, and both male and female dragonmounts had crests and a ridge of mid-body spines displayed during courting ritual. Most important are the varactyl's five-clawed feet. Not only could a varactyl run at very fast speeds, but their claws were adapted to climbing the rocky walls of Utapau's sinkholes. This marked the varactyl as an excellent mount for the native Utapauns.
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.
Varactyl share both reptilian and avian traits, with scaled skin mottled by feathers and a long, bird-like tail. A large beak dominates the varactyl's face, with two beady eyes visible on either side of its elongated head. A frill of feathers rings the creature's neck. The varactyl stands on four powerful legs, tipped by strong claws used for climbing the sinkholes of Utapau.
[edit] Boga
Boga was a female varactyl native to Utapau. Like all members of her species, she was a large reptilian quadruped with a beaked mouth and feathers splaying from her scaled skin. Boga was one of the fastest varactyl to be tamed by the Utai beast tamers. Obi-Wan Kenobi used Boga as his mount while tracking General Grievous on Utapau.
During his search for Grievous on Utapau, Obi-Wan chose Boga as his mount, based on her proud and loyal spirit as he saw through the Force. Astride Boga, Obi-Wan reached the tenth level of Tion Medon's Pau City in record time. Boga proved a worthy match for General Grievous in his wheel bike, chasing the cyborg general through the city, using her clawed feet to climb the sinkhole walls in pursuit.
With Boga's help, Obi-Wan confronted and destroyed the General.
Unfortunately for Boga, the clone troopers turned against her Jedi rider on the orders of Palpatine. Showing an extreme devotion to her rider, Boga was hit by the debris from the blast of an AT-TE, and the two were thrown into the deep lakes at the bottom of the sinkhole. Obi-Wan, presuming the faithful varactyl to have perished in the fall, left in hopes of finding means of escape.
[edit] Trivia
• In the Revenge of the Sith novel, Boga is only referred to as a dragonmount.
