Rat/Legends

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For other uses, see Rat (disambiguation).

"They're stirred up like a rats' nest down there."
―Han Solo[5]

Rats were a non-sentient species of small, furry rodents considered vermin by many. They could be found on several planets throughout the galaxy, including Tatooine. A prong-nosed subspecies also lived on Lotho Minor. Rats were covered in gray fur; they had long, hairless tails and a sharp sense of smell. They would sometimes feed off cadavers. Some of them were bred and kept for scientific research.

Biology and appearance

Rats were quadrupedal, non-sentient rodents[2] covered in a hairy gray coat. A rat had a hairless tail that was longer than its head and body combined,[1] and Humans often deemed that tail "ugly."[6] They also had sensory whiskers on their faces.[1] There existed various subspecies of rats, including a prong-nosed one that lived on Lotho Minor. Those creatures had a sharp sense of smell, which allowed them to detect both their predators and potential food sources efficiently. On occasion, they would feed on abandoned corpses. Like many other organics, rats could be killed by a violent punch in the neck.[3]

Behavior and intelligence

Packs of rats were led by their alpha females, which their whole warrens would follow everywhere.[7] In case of danger, rats would creep in a hole to better hide.[8]

Rats in the galaxy

"There's a locked grate to keep out rats and snake eyes and other vermin, but maintenance has the key codes."
―Benedict Vidkun[4]

Around 4 ABY, a small group of gray-white rats had made their home in the dungeons of Jabba Desilijic Tiure's palace on Tatooine. When the droid partners C-3PO and R2-D2 were escorted in the dungeons to face Jabba's supervisor droid, three of those rats could be spotted on one set of prison bars.[1]

In the wider galactic community, rats were generally regarded as vermin.[4] Humans often reacted to the presence of rats with disgust, sometimes kicking them casually,[9] and used their name to refer to contemptible persons.[10] The Directors, a trio of Squib criminals, were compared to "oversized pack rats" by Han Solo.[11] The bartender named Wuher called a group of scavenging Jawas "tech-rats."[12] Rats were to planetary surface what mynocks were to space.[13]

Various barriers, such as locked grates, were implemented to prevent them from entering dwellings through the sewers.[4] They were sometimes fed poisoned grain to get rid of them for good.[14]

Some rats were used as test specimens in laboratory experiments.[15]

Behind the scenes

During the filming of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, a line on the prop list for the dungeon cell corridor read, "PROPS: Weapons, Dustbin Droid, Animals (4 rats to SB/Y)."[16]

Appearances

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 StarWars.com Drawing from the Present: Familiar Creatures in a Galaxy Far, Far Away on StarWars.com (backup link not verified!)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Wrath of Darth Maul
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Shadows of the Empire novel
  5. ↑ The Last Command
  6. ↑ Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth
  7. ↑ Coruscant Nights III: Patterns of Force
  8. ↑ Crosscurrent
  9. ↑ Hard Merchandise
  10. ↑ Fate of the Jedi: Allies
  11. ↑ Fate of the Jedi: Ascension
  12. ↑ Be Still My Heart: The Bartender's Tale
  13. ↑ Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu
  14. ↑ X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble
  15. ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Blue Shadow Virus"
  16. ↑ The Making of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, page 144
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