Kowakian monkey-lizard

For other uses, see Kowakian monkey-lizard.

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"Perhaps all Kowakian monkey-lizards should be exterminated for the good of the galaxy."

―Count Dooku^[8]

Kowakian monkey-lizards, also known as Kowakians, were a race of semi-sentient reptilian creatures often used by members of the underworld as pets. Owners of Kowakians included Jabba Desilijic Tiure,^[6] Hondo Ohnaka,^[5] and Emil Graf.^[9] They were capable of using weapons such as a blaster and, in the case of Pikk Mukmuk, a pirate tank.^[4] One Kowakian became a bounty hunter and turned the Wookiee Chewbacca over to the Galactic Empire.^[10] They were related to the much larger Kowakian ape-lizard.^[11] Due to their appearance they were often mistaken for pests.^[12] Monkey-lizards were quite intelligent and capable of mimicking almost any language.^[2]

Biology and appearance

The impish Kowakian monkey-lizards,^[7] simply referred to as Kowakians,^[13] were a species of semi-sentient^[1] reptillian.^[2] Kowakian monkey-lizards had multihued skin, including red,^[7] blue, yellow, brown, green, purple, and orange.^[2] Their average height ranged from fifty-eight to seventy centimeters, with an average weight of twelve kilograms. Their diets included insects, worms, and small rodents.^[3]

Behavior and intelligence

The species was known for their shrill laughter and sophisticated senses of humor.^[7] They were often caught stealing and taunting unsuspecting bypassers.^[3] However, despite their mischievous nature, Kowakian monkey-lizards could give their respects and be befriended if someone managed to match their senses of humor.^[2] The Kowakians had natural curiosity and high intelligence,^[3] being able to repair a starship,^[2] commandeer a tank, wield a blaster, and mimic most languages, including Huttese and Galactic Basic. While they were able to mimic languages, the Kowakian monkey-lizards primarily communicate through their jubilant laughter.^[3]

History

Kowakian monkey-lizards hailed from the planet Kowak.^[7]

Kowakians in the galaxy

"Kowakian monkey lizards—biggest pain this side of the galaxy. I hate those things! Hate 'em!"

―Poe Dameron^[14]

Pilf Mukmuk, a red Kowakian monkey-lizard

A notable Kowakian monkey-lizard was Salacious B. Crumb, who served as court jester in Jabba's Palace during the reign of the Galactic Empire.^[15] By 3 ABY,^[16] the monkey-lizards had been accidentally introduced to the ecosystem of Akiva. Due to their ability to live off almost any type of sustenance, their population increased drastically on the planet. The Akivan monkey-lizards would seek out settlements and travelers in the planet's jungles to steal their food and valuables.^[17]

In 9 ABY,^[18] roasted Kowakian monkey-lizards was a food item sold at a bazaar^[19] within Nevarro City^[20] on the planet^[21] Nevarro. When bounty hunter Din Djarin arrived at the city, he passed a roasted monkey lizard stand, where a still-living Kowakian monkey-lizard, caged, looked out in fear.^[19] Sometime later, as Nevarro City improved and became more respectable under the leadership of High Magistrate Greef Karga, several Kowakian monkey-lizards resided peacefully on trees within the city, and were no longer being roasted.^[22]

In 34 ABY,^[23] several olive brown monkey-lizards worked in Vranki the Blue's Hotel and Casino, wearing a uniform of a small blue hat and an orange collar and performing various tasks, including fetching items for Vranki. They attacked Neeku Vozo, a visiting resident of the Colossus, when they discovered he was giving instructions to Kazuda Xiono to give him a better chance at winning his race against Team Vranki. They knocked the datapad Vozo was using to observe the course out of his hands, and he was so preoccupied with fighting them off that he was unable to give Xiono warnings about several obstacles. Despite the monkey-lizards' attempts to distract him, Vozo was able to turn off the finish hoop's laser cannons, which enabled Xiono to win the race. Even after the end of the race, they continued to attack Vozo, although they eventually allowed him to leave with the rest of the Colossus residents.^[24]

Around 34 ABY, Kowakian monkey-lizards were imported to the planet Batuu and sold as pets in the Creature Stall at Black Spire Outpost.^[25]

Behind the scenes

Kowakian monkey-lizard, albeit unidentified, first appeared in the^[6] 1983^[26] theatrical film Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.^[6] The original StarWars.com episode guide for "Shadow of Malevolence"—the first season's third episode of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars—reintroduced the species' name to canon, though it was missing the hyphen,^[27] which the modern episode guide of the same episode would later correct.^[28] The species was later identified as just "Kowakian" in the original episode guide for "The Gungan General," the first season's twelfth episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.^[13]