Dewback

Physical Information
Dewbacks are large omnivorous reptiles native to the deserts of Tatooine. It's prey is usually cat sized or smaller, and it also eats desert sages and underground tubers. They are cold-blooded, and usually huddle together for warmth during the cold desert night. Dewbacks have hardly any enemies due to their size, but many predators eat their eggs, making it necessary to lay them in large clusters. Like most reptiles, they are are usually very slow, but are capable of 50 kph bursts of speed. They are easily domesticated when raised from an egg, and are invaluable beasts of burden in Tatooine's harsh desert climate.

Social Behavior
These creatures usually roam the deserts in herds, scouring the landscape for food and water. As per their name, dewbacks lick the collected moisture, or "dew", off each other's backs every morning. Back licking reinforces social bonds between animals, similar to grooming in primates.

Once a year, dewbacks converge at a region known as the Jundland Wastes in order to mate. Males then proceed to roll on their backs, displaying their blue bellies to females (their stomachs only change color during mating season). They do not raise their young.

Behind the scenes

 * Dewbacks were employed by sandtroopers in Episode IV: A New Hope because George Lucas believed that the use of an organic means of transport instead of mechanical means, such as a landspeeder would give the desert search scene an "element of surprise." However, the dewback that was eventually produced for the movie was not created with movement in mind so it was relegated to the background.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: A New Hope (First Appearance)