Hoojib Hoojibs were a species of sentient , telepathic , energy - feeding rodents indigenous to the planet Arbra . Existing peacefully in a geothermal cave , the Hoojibs were menaced by an alien Slivilith , but assisted the Alliance to Restore the Republic in defeating the monster and establishing a base inside the crystal cave following the Battle of Hoth . Biology and appearance . Rodent - like native Arbra ns , Hoojibs were small , furry critters distinguished by their large eyes , floppy ears , and a single , thin antennae protruding from their heads . They had four three - toed limbs and were agile runners and climbers in their native forests . A telepathic species , Hoojibs communicated through thought , and had a spokesmind to speak on behalf of their kind . They did not call themselves " Hoojibs " , though recognized that others used that term . They could speak directly to intelligent beings , and could gain certain images from the minds of less - intelligent creatures like the Slivilith . The species was capable of vocalizing sounds , including a cry of " scree " intended to frighten predators , and fearful yelps of " yi " . Hoojibs were energy - eaters and self - proclaimed power - feeders , able to take energy directly from their surroundings , rather than needing to metabolize it from animal or plant matter . They typically fed on power crystals inside their home cave , but could also consume power from machinery including flood lamps , power pack s , and droids . They existed for countless centuries by subsisting on natural energy . Society and culture . Hoojibs , while an intelligent , civilized species , had no need for technology , and existed for centuries as power - feeders in a mountainside cavern . They held friendship in high regard , even putting themselves in harm ' s way for the sake of their friends . Hoojibs such as Plif were aware of concepts of physical attractiveness among the Human species . History . The species known to the Rebel Alliance as " Hoojibs " existed as a telepathic race inhabiting a single cave on Arbra since the earliest point of their racial memory , though they were pre - dated by an ancient race of beings who lived in Grotto City beneath the planet ' s surface . In their cave , the power - feeding Hoojibs subsisted on an endless natural wellspring of electrical energy drawn from the planet ' s core as geothermal energy and transformed into harmless high - altitude lightning by a collection of colorful crystals . The crystals maintained Arbra ' s planetary pressure , and the Hoojibs nourished themselves by chewing on the power rod s within their cave . The Hoojibs sensed the presence of the Darker for as long as they lived beneath Arbra ' s surface , considering the being a source of great evil . The Hoojibs came under attack by a Slivilith caught by Arbra ' s gravitational pull and drawn to the warmth of their geothermal cave . The monster drove the native population away , forcing them to seek alternative means of energy consumption . Plif and several of his fellow Hoojibs encountered members of the Alliance to Restore the Republic shortly after the | Battle of Hoth , at a time when Princess Leia Organa led a survey team through the forests . Organa found the creatures cute , and both she and C - 3PO agreed that the natives posed no threat to their camp . However , as night fell the Hoojibs began feeding on the Rebel camp ' s energy , draining machinery and C - 3PO himself , who awoke believing he was being eaten alive . Plif was caught by Chewbacca , but communicated telepathically with the startled Wookiee as the Hoojibs ' spokesmind . Plif explained his species ' need for energy , and warned the Rebels of the Slivilith moments before the monster attacked their camp . The Rebels drove the creature away , and Leia vowed to help Plif regain his home . The following morning , Plif accompanied the Rebels back to the geothermal cave , and the Hoojibs joined the battle against the monster by drawing it out . Chewbacca threw the beast into the razor - sharp crystals , which unleashed their energy into the Slivilith , killing it . However , the Rebels attempted to take over the cave for their own purposes , forcing the Hoojibs to defend themselves until Leia stepped in . Plif then allowed the newcomers to remain as their guests indefinitely , and the Rebel Fleet arrived on Arbra several days later to establish Haven Base . Hoojibs remained friendly with the Alliance , communing with Rebels and sharing meals in their base . When R2 - D2 ventured into an unexplored tunnel of the cave system , Plif , Fuffle , and several other Hoojibs joined C - 3PO and Chewbacca in venturing within to rescue the droid from the great evil they sensed inside . The little band discovered the ancient ruins of Grotto City beyond a force field , and encountered the Darker — a manifestation of the negative emotions the former Arbran species hoped to rid themselves of before fleeing the planet in aeons past . Plif and his Hoojibs attempted to return to Haven Base to warn Princess Leia , but the Darker instilled fear in the small creatures , making them too afraid to move . However , with the Darker distracted by battle with Chewbacca , the Hoojibs were released from his telepathic grasp long enough to fling themselves at the ancient being . Overwhelmed , the Darker was thrown into the force field by Chewbacca , disintegrating and causing the field to collapse around the city . The friends safely escaped back to Haven Base . Hoojibs in the galaxy . One of the best - known Hoojibs was Plif , who accompanied Luke Skywalker on several missions before and after the Battle of Endor . Plif later became a New Republic senator . Hoojibs were known to occasionally venture into the wider galaxy , including Zeltros and some Ithorian Herdships .