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{{Species |
{{Species |
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|imageBG= |
|imageBG= |
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| − | |image=[[File:Tauntaun NEGAS.jpg |
+ | |image=[[File:Tauntaun NEGAS.jpg]] |
|name=Tauntaun |
|name=Tauntaun |
||
| − | |designation=[[Sentience|Non-sentient]]<ref name="ESB"> |
+ | |designation=[[Sentience|Non-sentient]]<ref name="ESB">[[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']]</ref> |
|class= |
|class= |
||
|planet=[[Hoth]]<ref name="GG3">''[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back]]''</ref> |
|planet=[[Hoth]]<ref name="GG3">''[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back]]''</ref> |
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*[[Scaly tauntaun]] |
*[[Scaly tauntaun]] |
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|members=}} |
|members=}} |
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| − | {{Quote|I thought they smelled bad...on the outside.|[[Han Solo]]|audio=Tauntaun smell.ogg|Star Wars Episode V |
+ | {{Quote|I thought they smelled bad...on the outside.|[[Han Solo]]|audio=Tauntaun smell.ogg|Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back}} |
'''Tauntauns''' ({{Pronounced|tɑːntɑːn}}) were a [[species]] of [[Diet|omnivorous]] [[reptomammal]]s who were indigenous to the icy [[planet]] of [[Hoth]]. Tauntauns were commonly used as pack animals during the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel Alliance]]'s stay at Hoth. Tauntauns were also used as patrol mounts when it was learned that the Rebel Alliance's own vehicles could not cope with the very cold weather. |
'''Tauntauns''' ({{Pronounced|tɑːntɑːn}}) were a [[species]] of [[Diet|omnivorous]] [[reptomammal]]s who were indigenous to the icy [[planet]] of [[Hoth]]. Tauntauns were commonly used as pack animals during the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel Alliance]]'s stay at Hoth. Tauntauns were also used as patrol mounts when it was learned that the Rebel Alliance's own vehicles could not cope with the very cold weather. |
||
==Anatomy== |
==Anatomy== |
||
| − | [[File:Tauntaun Species.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Some [[glacier tauntaun]]s and [[giant tauntaun]]s in a [[Hoth]] ice cave.]] |
+ | [[File:Tauntaun Species.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Some [[glacier tauntaun]]s and [[giant tauntaun]]s in a [[Hoth]] ice cave.]] |
| − | Tauntauns were genetically similar to [[kybuck]]s and featured a mix of traditionally reptilian features, such as a lack of mammary glands and scaly skin. They were also warm-blooded, |
+ | Tauntauns were genetically similar to [[kybuck]]s and featured a mix of traditionally reptilian features, such as a lack of mammary glands and scaly skin. They were also warm-blooded, and had a layer of blubber under fur which ranged from gray to white and covered their bodies. They gave birth to live young; mammalian characteristics. Known subspecies included the [[glacier tauntaun]], [[scaly tauntaun]], [[climbing tauntaun]], and the [[giant tauntaun]] (also referred to as the common tauntaun). |
| − | Tauntauns possessed numerous evolutionary adaptations to the bitter, cold environments of [[Hoth]]. Those adaptations included wide feet for running across icy surfaces, swiveling ears, thick blubber, chambered lungs and dual nostrils, and a digestive system that excreted wastes as oils through skin pores, producing a distinctive odor. |
+ | Tauntauns possessed numerous evolutionary adaptations to the bitter, cold environments of [[Hoth]]. Those adaptations included wide feet for running across icy surfaces, swiveling ears, thick blubber, chambered lungs and dual nostrils, and a digestive system that excreted wastes as oils through skin pores, producing a distinctive odor.. Their four nostrils served to warm inhaled air. Their larger pair were used to bring [[oxygen]] into the blood stream during physical exertion. When lying down to sleep, the larger pair sealed to keep snow out, and the second pair took over. A well-muscled tail extended a meter from their bodies to help maintain balance. They had clawed feet and hands to gain purchase on the ice. Their feet were also tridactyl, with splayed toes to act as natural snowshoes. The most important feature of tauntaun physiology was their unique blood mixture that was resistant to the tundra winds and kept their organs from freezing.<ref name="GG3" /> |
Despite these adaptations, tauntauns sought shelter at night to avoid the extreme nighttime temperatures of Hoth. When shelter was unavailable, they used their evolved ability to hibernate during low nighttime temperatures, maintaining a lukewarm internal temperature. Some tauntaun breeds actually froze to death if awakened after sundown. When not eating the fungus that grew beneath the frost layer or lichens found in [[hoarfrost]],{{Fact}} the omnivorous tauntauns were also known to eat [[ice scrabbler]]s and [[Hoth hog]]s.<ref name="GG3" /> |
Despite these adaptations, tauntauns sought shelter at night to avoid the extreme nighttime temperatures of Hoth. When shelter was unavailable, they used their evolved ability to hibernate during low nighttime temperatures, maintaining a lukewarm internal temperature. Some tauntaun breeds actually froze to death if awakened after sundown. When not eating the fungus that grew beneath the frost layer or lichens found in [[hoarfrost]],{{Fact}} the omnivorous tauntauns were also known to eat [[ice scrabbler]]s and [[Hoth hog]]s.<ref name="GG3" /> |
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| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
Although they were stubborn creatures, tauntauns made ideal patrol mounts for the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel Alliance]]'s [[Echo Base]] in the absence of [[repulsorcraft]], which were unreliable in Hoth's extremely cold climate. Personnel such as [[Corporal]] [[Vyn Rolado]] were responsible for taming the alpha female of a tauntaun pack, which allowed the Alliance to easily train the remainder of the pack. It was discovered that the ultrasonic frequencies given off by certain droid models irritated the mounts, and they would use their tail to swat any of those droids who happened to wander too close. Tauntauns were occasionally attacked by wampas in the ice caves of the rebel base. |
Although they were stubborn creatures, tauntauns made ideal patrol mounts for the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel Alliance]]'s [[Echo Base]] in the absence of [[repulsorcraft]], which were unreliable in Hoth's extremely cold climate. Personnel such as [[Corporal]] [[Vyn Rolado]] were responsible for taming the alpha female of a tauntaun pack, which allowed the Alliance to easily train the remainder of the pack. It was discovered that the ultrasonic frequencies given off by certain droid models irritated the mounts, and they would use their tail to swat any of those droids who happened to wander too close. Tauntauns were occasionally attacked by wampas in the ice caves of the rebel base. |
||
| − | The [[Hutt]] gangster [[Jabba Desilijic Tiure]] kept the head of a tauntaun as a trophy hanging on a wall in his throne room.<ref name="SWE6"> |
+ | The [[Hutt]] gangster [[Jabba Desilijic Tiure]] kept the head of a tauntaun as a trophy hanging on a wall in his throne room.<ref name="SWE6">[[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi|''Star Wars'': Episode VI ''Return of the Jedi'']]</ref> Captain [[Ozzik Sturn]] also had a head of a tauntaun in his private quarters on [[Kashyyyk]].<ref name="TFU">''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed]]''</ref> |
Some years after the [[Galactic Civil War]] had ended, tauntauns were exported from Hoth to the cold-climate regions of other worlds such as [[Coruscant]]. They were used as mounts, beasts of burden and tourist attractions. However, they longed for their old home and became surly and stubborn because of this homesickness. |
Some years after the [[Galactic Civil War]] had ended, tauntauns were exported from Hoth to the cold-climate regions of other worlds such as [[Coruscant]]. They were used as mounts, beasts of burden and tourist attractions. However, they longed for their old home and became surly and stubborn because of this homesickness. |
||
| − | Also by the time of the [[Second Galactic Civil War]], small stuffed tauntauns were available as children's toys. The smooth, silky fur of the plush made it pleasant for young children to snuggle with. [[Darth Caedus|Jacen Solo]] had given one to his daughter [[Allana Solo|Allana]] as a gift to make sure that she and [[Tenel Ka Djo|Tenel Ka]] were not the sacrifice he had to make to become a Sith Lord. |
+ | Also by the time of the [[Second Galactic Civil War]], small stuffed tauntauns were available as children's toys. The smooth, silky fur of the plush made it pleasant for young children to snuggle with. [[Darth Caedus|Jacen Solo]] had given one to his daughter [[Allana Solo|Allana]] as a gift to make sure that she and her mother [[Tenel Ka Djo|Tenel Ka]] were not the sacrifice he had to make to become a Sith Lord. |
The droid [[L9-G8]] once made [[tauntaun chowder]] for the [[Prince]] of [[Tamboon]].<ref>''[[Scavenger Hunt]]'', 21.</ref> |
The droid [[L9-G8]] once made [[tauntaun chowder]] for the [[Prince]] of [[Tamboon]].<ref>''[[Scavenger Hunt]]'', 21.</ref> |
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*{{Tales|16|Kessel Run (comic)|Kessel Run}} {{Mo}} |
*{{Tales|16|Kessel Run (comic)|Kessel Run}} {{Mo}} |
||
*''[[Iceworld]]'' |
*''[[Iceworld]]'' |
||
| − | *{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/fiction/triton20080820.html|text= |
+ | *{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/fiction/triton20080820.html|text=''Deader than a Triton Moon''|int=Deader than a Triton Moon|newurl=http://star-wars.suvudu.com/2012/10/star-wars-shorts-deader-than-a-triton-moon.html|newhost=[[Suvudu]]}} {{C|Epigraph}} |
*{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030619hunger|text=''Hunger''|int=Hunger}} {{Mo}} |
*{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030619hunger|text=''Hunger''|int=Hunger}} {{Mo}} |
||
*''[[Star Wars: Empire at War]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: Empire at War]]'' |
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| Line 119: | Line 119: | ||
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine]]'' {{Mo}} |
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine]]'' {{Mo}} |
||
*{{SWGTCG|The Nightsister's Revenge|scenario=Light Side and Dark Side scenario campaigns}} |
*{{SWGTCG|The Nightsister's Revenge|scenario=Light Side and Dark Side scenario campaigns}} |
||
| + | *''[[Scavenger Hunt]]'' |
||
*''[[Star Wars: X-Wing]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: X-Wing]]'' |
||
*''[[Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell]]'' {{Mo}} |
*''[[Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell]]'' {{Mo}} |
||
| − | * |
+ | *[[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']] |
*[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (junior novelization)|''Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'' junior novel]] |
*[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (junior novelization)|''Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'' junior novel]] |
||
*[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (novel)|''Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'' novel]] {{1st}} |
*[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (novel)|''Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'' novel]] {{1st}} |
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| Line 131: | Line 132: | ||
*{{Tales|6|A Hot Time in the Cold Town Tonite!}} {{Mo}} |
*{{Tales|6|A Hot Time in the Cold Town Tonite!}} {{Mo}} |
||
*[[Return of the Jedi (radio)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' radio drama]] {{Mo}} |
*[[Return of the Jedi (radio)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' radio drama]] {{Mo}} |
||
| − | * |
+ | *[[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi|''Star Wars'': Episode VI ''Return of the Jedi'']] {{C|Appears as a trophy head in Jabba's palace}} |
*''[[One Last Night in the Mos Eisley Cantina: The Tale of the Wolfman and the Lamproid]]'' {{Mo}} |
*''[[One Last Night in the Mos Eisley Cantina: The Tale of the Wolfman and the Lamproid]]'' {{Mo}} |
||
*''[[A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker]]'' |
*''[[A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker]]'' |
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| Line 156: | Line 157: | ||
===Non-canon appearances=== |
===Non-canon appearances=== |
||
| + | *''[[Jedi Academy: Return of the Padawan]]'' |
||
*''[[Star Wars Mythos]]'' {{Mo}} |
*''[[Star Wars Mythos]]'' {{Mo}} |
||
*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga]]'' |
*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga]]'' |
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| Line 170: | Line 172: | ||
==Sources== |
==Sources== |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | {{Scroll box |
||
| ⚫ | |||
{{Imagecat|Images of tauntauns}} |
{{Imagecat|Images of tauntauns}} |
||
*''[[Star Wars Official Poster Monthly 18]]'' {{1stm}} |
*''[[Star Wars Official Poster Monthly 18]]'' {{1stm}} |
||
| Line 177: | Line 178: | ||
*[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, First Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', First Edition]] {{Po}} |
*[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, First Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', First Edition]] {{Po}} |
||
*''[[The Star Wars Sourcebook]]'' |
*''[[The Star Wars Sourcebook]]'' |
||
| − | *[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back (First Edition)| |
+ | *''[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back (First Edition)|Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back]]'' |
| + | *''[[Rebel Alliance Sourcebook (First Edition)|Rebel Alliance Sourcebook]]'' |
||
| + | *[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back (First Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back'']] |
||
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition]]'' |
||
*[[Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''Star Wars Sourcebook'', Second Edition]] |
*[[Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''Star Wars Sourcebook'', Second Edition]] |
||
*''[[Super Empire Strikes Back Official Game Secrets]]'' |
*''[[Super Empire Strikes Back Official Game Secrets]]'' |
||
*[[Rebel Alliance Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''Rebel Alliance Sourcebook'', Second Edition]] |
*[[Rebel Alliance Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''Rebel Alliance Sourcebook'', Second Edition]] |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|1|Use the Force|Calling All Trivia Fans}} |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|3|The Essential Guide to Star Wars Aliens}} |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|3|Game Room|Game Room: Where Aliens Are Fair Game}} {{Po}} |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|3|Star FX|Star FX: Creature Creations}} |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|3|Galactic Bazaar|Galactic Bazaar: Strange Tales of Collecting Aliens}} |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|4|The Hard, Cold Facts About Hoth}} |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|4|Game Room|Game Room: Playing Empire Games}} |
||
| + | *{{GalaxyCite|4|Galactic Bazaar|Galactic Bazaar: The Empire Sells Out!}} |
||
*[[Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)|''Star Wars: The Power of the Force'' (1995)]] |
*[[Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)|''Star Wars: The Power of the Force'' (1995)]] |
||
*''[[Star Wars Sourcebook]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars Sourcebook]]'' |
||
| + | *''[[Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook]]'' |
||
| + | *''[[The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire]]'' |
||
*{{CCG|Hoth Limited|cardname=I Thought They Smelled Bad On The Outside}} |
*{{CCG|Hoth Limited|cardname=I Thought They Smelled Bad On The Outside}} |
||
*{{CCG|Hoth Limited|cardname=Stop Motion}} |
*{{CCG|Hoth Limited|cardname=Stop Motion}} |
||
| Line 198: | Line 211: | ||
*''[[Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive]]'' |
||
*''[[Star Wars: Power of the Jedi]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: Power of the Jedi]]'' |
||
| − | *''[[Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook]]'' |
+ | *''[[Star Wars Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook]]'' |
*''[[The Essential Guide to Alien Species]]'' |
*''[[The Essential Guide to Alien Species]]'' |
||
*''[[The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide]]'' |
*''[[The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide]]'' |
||
| − | *{{FFCite| |
+ | *{{FFCite|1|MED1, ''2-1B Medical Droid (Too-Onebee)''}} |
| − | *{{FFCite| |
+ | *{{FFCite|2|HOT1-HOT4, ''Hoth''}} |
| + | *{{FFCite|21|HOT7-HOT8, ''Hoth - Animals''}} |
||
*''[[Battlefront: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
*''[[Battlefront: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
||
*''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]'' |
*''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]'' |
||
| Line 210: | Line 224: | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars]]'' DVD commentary |
*''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars]]'' DVD commentary |
||
*{{SonyCite|url=players/news_archive.vm?id=67957&month=092008|text=Discover Hoth!}} |
*{{SonyCite|url=players/news_archive.vm?id=67957&month=092008|text=Discover Hoth!}} |
||
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/hoth_icefields.jpg|cardname=Hoth Icefields}} |
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/see_you_in_hell.jpg|cardname=See You in Hell}} {{Po}} |
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/vicious_attack.jpg|cardname=Vicious Attack}} {{Po}} |
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/hans_promise.jpg|cardname=Han's Promise}} {{Po}} |
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://www.wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/strange_lodings.jpg|cardname=Strange Lodgings}} |
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://www.wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/tauntaun.jpg|cardname=Tauntaun}} |
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://www.wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/tauntaun_mount.jpg|cardname=Tauntaun Mount}} |
| − | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG) |
+ | *{{TCG|The Empire Strikes Back (TCG)|link=http://www.wizards.com/swtcg/images/esb/trust_her_instincs.jpg|cardname=Trust Her Instincts}} |
*''[[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]'' |
||
*''[[Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
*''[[Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
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| Line 244: | Line 258: | ||
*{{InsiderCite|148|Tippett Talks}} |
*{{InsiderCite|148|Tippett Talks}} |
||
*{{SWE|characters|tauntaun|Tauntaun}} |
*{{SWE|characters|tauntaun|Tauntaun}} |
||
| + | *{{SW|url=news/sdcc-2014-hasbros-star-wars-panel-liveblog|text=SDCC 2014: Hasbro's ''Star Wars'' Panel – Liveblog}} |
||
}} |
}} |
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| Line 268: | Line 283: | ||
}} |
}} |
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| − | [[Category:Creature articles that have yet to be recategorized]] |
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[[Category:Creatures of Hoth]] |
[[Category:Creatures of Hoth]] |
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[[Category:Domesticated creatures]] |
[[Category:Domesticated creatures]] |
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Revision as of 19:36, 24 November 2014
 |  |
Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: subspecies and unrecognized parameters: members, imageBG
- "I thought they smelled bad...on the outside."
- ―Han Solo
Tauntauns ((pronounced /tɑːntɑːn/)) were a species of omnivorous reptomammals who were indigenous to the icy planet of Hoth. Tauntauns were commonly used as pack animals during the Rebel Alliance's stay at Hoth. Tauntauns were also used as patrol mounts when it was learned that the Rebel Alliance's own vehicles could not cope with the very cold weather.
Anatomy
Some glacier tauntauns and giant tauntauns in a Hoth ice cave.
Tauntauns were genetically similar to kybucks and featured a mix of traditionally reptilian features, such as a lack of mammary glands and scaly skin. They were also warm-blooded, and had a layer of blubber under fur which ranged from gray to white and covered their bodies. They gave birth to live young; mammalian characteristics. Known subspecies included the glacier tauntaun, scaly tauntaun, climbing tauntaun, and the giant tauntaun (also referred to as the common tauntaun).
Tauntauns possessed numerous evolutionary adaptations to the bitter, cold environments of Hoth. Those adaptations included wide feet for running across icy surfaces, swiveling ears, thick blubber, chambered lungs and dual nostrils, and a digestive system that excreted wastes as oils through skin pores, producing a distinctive odor.. Their four nostrils served to warm inhaled air. Their larger pair were used to bring oxygen into the blood stream during physical exertion. When lying down to sleep, the larger pair sealed to keep snow out, and the second pair took over. A well-muscled tail extended a meter from their bodies to help maintain balance. They had clawed feet and hands to gain purchase on the ice. Their feet were also tridactyl, with splayed toes to act as natural snowshoes. The most important feature of tauntaun physiology was their unique blood mixture that was resistant to the tundra winds and kept their organs from freezing.[2]
Despite these adaptations, tauntauns sought shelter at night to avoid the extreme nighttime temperatures of Hoth. When shelter was unavailable, they used their evolved ability to hibernate during low nighttime temperatures, maintaining a lukewarm internal temperature. Some tauntaun breeds actually froze to death if awakened after sundown. When not eating the fungus that grew beneath the frost layer or lichens found in hoarfrost,[source?] the omnivorous tauntauns were also known to eat ice scrabblers and Hoth hogs.[2]
Tauntauns were matriarchal animals and lived in herds of twenty to thirty individuals. Horn-butting matches were common among both males and females who hoped to establish dominance. Tauntauns were able to give birth to two young at a time, which would occur twice within one Hoth year. Though they lacked mammary glands, tauntauns could regurgitate a form of "milk" produced in their crops.
They tended to be ill-tempered, a natural result of evolving in such an inhospitable environment. A peculiar form of "attack" among the females, and some of the males, during mating season was their spitting ability. Tauntauns would spit at each other's eyes, with surprising accuracy. While their smelly saliva was by no means deadly, it was quite inconvenient to have any liquid freeze near their eyes in Hoth's blizzards.[2]
A tauntaun on the surface of Hoth
Predators
Tauntauns were the primary prey of the wampas. Besides their horns, natural camouflage, and their safety in numbers, tauntauns also relied on their ability to run 90 kilometers-per-hour[source?] to survive. The wampas got around this by ambushing their prey -- attempting to kill them before they could escape.
Domestication
Luke Skywalker riding a giant tauntaun
If domesticated, tauntauns would require a grooming parlor to breed. Such a place would stink like the dirtiest imaginable kitchen to a sentient.[4]
Although they were stubborn creatures, tauntauns made ideal patrol mounts for the Rebel Alliance's Echo Base in the absence of repulsorcraft, which were unreliable in Hoth's extremely cold climate. Personnel such as Corporal Vyn Rolado were responsible for taming the alpha female of a tauntaun pack, which allowed the Alliance to easily train the remainder of the pack. It was discovered that the ultrasonic frequencies given off by certain droid models irritated the mounts, and they would use their tail to swat any of those droids who happened to wander too close. Tauntauns were occasionally attacked by wampas in the ice caves of the rebel base.
The Hutt gangster Jabba Desilijic Tiure kept the head of a tauntaun as a trophy hanging on a wall in his throne room.[5] Captain Ozzik Sturn also had a head of a tauntaun in his private quarters on Kashyyyk.[6]
Some years after the Galactic Civil War had ended, tauntauns were exported from Hoth to the cold-climate regions of other worlds such as Coruscant. They were used as mounts, beasts of burden and tourist attractions. However, they longed for their old home and became surly and stubborn because of this homesickness.
Also by the time of the Second Galactic Civil War, small stuffed tauntauns were available as children's toys. The smooth, silky fur of the plush made it pleasant for young children to snuggle with. Jacen Solo had given one to his daughter Allana as a gift to make sure that she and her mother Tenel Ka were not the sacrifice he had to make to become a Sith Lord.
The droid L9-G8 once made tauntaun chowder for the Prince of Tamboon.[7]
Behind the scenes
Reptilian-style model
Rodent-like concept sketch
The creatures were represented on screen through a combination of puppetry and stop-motion animation.
Before settling on the hairy creature seen in the films, the design of the tauntaun went through several different looks, ranging from a large rodent-like creature to a more reptilian look.
In Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds the tauntaun is the preferred creature for the Rebel Alliance mounted trooper regardless of the climate of the planet.
Players of Star Wars Galaxies are capable of obtaining a DNA profile for bio-engineering a tauntaun by completing various tasks in the Battle of Hoth instance. Once the creature is born and trained, it can be used as either a mount or combat pet by the Beast Master profession.
In Return of the Jedi, Jabba the Hutt has a stuffed and mounted tauntaun head as one of his grisly trophies, right next to the frozen form of Han Solo.
In Star Wars: The Old Republic, Tauntaun Ram is a minipet given to all players with accounts active since April 21, 2012, and Tauntaun Fawn is a limited-edition minipet given to people who attended PAX East 2012. In Patch 2.3, the game introduced tauntaun mounts and offered the Tundra Tauntaun (a subscriber exclusive) or the Mountain Tauntaun.
The Pantone colors used by the films' production for the tauntaun were 427U, 467U and 463U.[8]
Appearances
Non-canon appearances
- Jedi Academy: Return of the Padawan
- Star Wars Mythos (Mentioned only)
- LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
- LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2
- LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
- LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace
- Star Wars: Tiny Death Star
- Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back
- Choose Your Own Star Wars Adventure: The Empire Strikes Back
- "Hunger Pains" — Star Wars Tales 20
- "Ghosts of Hoth" — Star Wars Tales 17
- Star Wars: Yoda Stories
- Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side
Sources
Notes and references
External links
Drawing a Tauntaun on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)- Tauntaun on Star Wars: The Old Republic Wiki
- Template:CWAWiki
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