Talpiddian

Last Updated: 11/10/2023

Name: Talpiddian

Humanoid: No

Classification: Beast (Ursa)

Homeworld: Talpiddi

Coloration: Tan, Gray, & White

Biology: The Talpiddians were a diminutive species reminiscent of a bear or bear-like creature. They stood approximately 1.5 meters in height (although on occasion they could reach heights upwards of 1.8 meters), with plump bodies covered in long gray and white hair that was actually capable of standing straight up when threatened, angry, or afraid. They had thick limbs, with rather large arms ending in hairless, five-fingered hands. Their hair also extended all the way to their necks, but their faces were completely hairless. They had a massive, elongated nose with large, slitted nostrils. Their mouths were full of large, flat teeth. And they had tiny, solid black eyes. Talpiddians were known for being completely blind, although they compensated for it with their adept sense of smell.

Lore: It is believed that the Talpiddians originated from the world of Talpiddi from the Outer Rim, although there had technically been no official confirmation. It would make sense, however, as the Talpiddians are still rather mysterious and have yet to be fully integrated into the greater galaxy (as many species from the Outer Rim were). Talpiddians were a very ancy species, quickly startled and even quicker to go on the defense. It is believed they became a fairly major player within the New Republic, and were known in the galaxy by the time of the Cold War era, with at least one was a member of the Resistance, although we are not sure whether they were universally involved with the movement, or if Resistance specialist Huper Tenrecs was simply an outlier.

Legends/Canon: The Talpiddians were introduced into Star Wars only after the official Canon was established.

Unexplored: There’s a lot of mystery surrounding this species, some of it seemingly intentional, but most of it not. Is their homeworld absolutely Talpidda, or do they share a name due to sheer coincidence? When were they first discovered and who discovered them? What caused the development of their natural defensive hair mechanism, was it potentially a predator from their home? Had they made any major impact on the galaxy, whether politically, economically, artistically, or otherwise? Were they potentially a subterranean species or one that dwelled in dim environments, resulting in their poor eyesight? And did they have any unique traditions, religions, habits, cultural norms, tendencies, practices, beliefs, etc. that would set them apart from other rather obscure species and make them memorable in the eyes of the fandom?

Additional Notes: As with many background species, especially from the five newest films, they have had little time to be really fleshed out so far, so now it’s sort of a waiting game as we anticipate when and where they’ll appear next, if those who work on Star Wars are even keeping track of their existence in the first place. Hopefully they fill in some blanks regarding the Talpiddian homeworld, lore, and anatomy soon, but until then, we’ll just have to wait with a watchful eye (they literally appeared in the background of episode 5 of the Obi-Wan Kenobi show the day after I initially wrote this article, and were featured in Ahsoka not too long after).

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