Gelagrub

<Gelagrub

Edit

This article details a subject that falls under the Legends continuity.

Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Canon version of this subject.

This article covers the Legends version of this subject.

Gelagrub

Biological classification

Designation

Non-sentient^[1]

Classification

Insect^[1]

Physical characteristics

Average length

4meters^[1]

Distinctions

At least five pairs of shortlegs^[1]

Sociocultural characteristics

Point of origin

Felucia^[1]

Diet

Herbivore^[2]

Gelagrubs, also known asFelucian ground beetles, were largeinsectine creatures that lived on theplanet Felucia.

Characteristics[]

The gelatinous larva-like^[2] gelagrub was about the size of adewback and has evolved in the dangerous climate ofFelucia, giving it numerous natural defenses against the planet's hazards.^[3] Their preferred habitat was among theplanet's toweringmushroom forests. The gelagrub had a widemouth above which were two vertically alignedeyes, and two rows of stubbylegs endowed with adhesive characteristics that enabled it to climb steep inclines. The gelagrub had to eat constantly to maintain its natural sunscreen, while it absorbed food throughout their waking hours as they moved acrossFelucia and required no actual feeding or watering while on patrol.^[3]

A riding a gelagrub on . — Aclone trooper riding a gelagrub onFelucia.

They were easily domesticated creatures whoselarval forms were used as mounts byGossam colonists, while they were occasionally transplanted to other jungle worlds.^[3] Like the rest of Felucia's flora and fauna, the gelagrub had its own unique adaptations to the intense ultraviolet rays of the planet's sun. The gelatinous larval form was, for example, one of many Felucian creatures with a shimmering, semi-transparent skin. It was able to metabolize UV-filtering chemicals from its lichen food source, and distribute them to hypodermic ducts, affording the gelagrub's internal organs a natural sunscreen. This also meant these creatures were constantly eating.

When a gelagrub pupated, the adult emerged as a hard-shelled ground creature, not unlike a giant beetle, with a mirrored carapace in the place of the larval translucent skin to reflect the worst of the sun's rays.

Gelagrubs were favored mounts onFelucia and similar worlds because of their ability to protect their riders. Once a rider had sufficiently bonded with a domesticated gelagrub, it treated the rider as an extension of its own body, going out of its way to avoid harards and using its own natural defenses to protect its rider.^[3]

History[]

Clone troopers of theGrand Army of the Republic, in particular those part ofFelucia Star Corps assigned toAayla Secura, employed gelagrubs as mounts during theBattle of Felucia in theClone Wars.^[4]

Rothana Heavy Engineering sold agenetically modified gelagrub that was designed to not pupate into their beetle form. They were used as mounts by Imperial troops. The company also offered freeze-dried packets of specially formulated food for their gelagrubs, in the event that the world they were dispatched to lacked any fungi such as mushrooms or similar fungus. Unlike other mounted creatures sold by Rothana, this did not have a specific price listed. Instead, they were available via special order only, and required a representative for the pricing.^[5]

Behind the scenes[]

The ground beetle was developed by ILM digital artist Paul Giacoppo as an entirely digital creature. Designed to fit into the Felucia environment, it had a translucent "gummy" like sheen.^[2]