Ortolan / Legends The Ortolans were a race of stocky , pachydermoid bipeds with long snouts , and large floppy ears . Ortolans came from the frigid , mineral - rich planet Orto . Two of the most famous Ortolans were the Jedi Knight Nem Bees and the musician Max Rebo . Biology and appearance . Ortolans were squat , heavily - built humanoid bipeds with long , trunklike noses and beady black eyes . They possessed floppy ears , which were extremely sensitive to sound waves , and mouths that , while small , were well - adapted for eating . They had two hands , each ending in four chubby fingers and a thumb , which was not opposable . A thick , baggy hide covered in fuzz resembling velvet hung off of the Ortolan body . Ortolans had a keen sense of smell to help them forage for food and were able to sense food up to two kilometers away . This was an adaptation to their planet ' s harsh climate and short growing season , which made food supplies scarce . Ortolans also had hearing that extended well into the subsonic range . Naturally , their twin obsessions were food and music , and their suction - cupped fingers were suitably adapted to both pastimes : while able to absorb food through their finger tips , they were also exceptional organists . Offworld , many Ortolans found success as Master Chef s or musicians . They were handicapped in their business affairs by their obsession with food , however , sometimes accepting otherwise unfavorable contracts when promised enough to eat . While most Ortolans appeared to have blue skin , Ortolans were actually covered in short velvety fur which they often dyed in bright colors , including not only blue but pink . This tradition began when a Devaronian trader tried to sell Ortolans a shipment of food dyes — they considered dyeing their food a waste of time , but found dyed fur to be quite stylish . Ortolans had a thick layer of blubber beneath their skin , which insulated them against cold weather and sustained them when food was scarce . Ortolans were born with their teeth and musculature fully developed . Education was the responsibility of their parents , though gifted youngsters would often be traded to other families to get specialized education . At the age of seven , Ortolans were expected to support themselves , and would be forced out of the family unit unless they had a particularly valuable talent . Ortolan society was reasonably industrialized , though not as technologically advanced as other species . Despite this , their economy was mostly based on barter , with credits primarily used to trade with offworlders . History . During the Clone Wars , the Ortolans initially tried to stay neutral . However , Orto ' s corrupt financial minister Belo Tusus , with the assistance of Neimoidian advisors , orchestrated a coup , and gave the planet over to the Separatists . While under Separatist control , the Ortolans were used as slaves on their own homeworld to build fort s , fortresses and factories for the Separatist war machine . However , Nem Bees led a resistance effort during the occupation , which sabotaged Separatist operations on Orto . His efforts culminated in 19 BBY , when he took down Orto ' s planetary shields , allowing Clone Commander Deviss ' s K Company to land on Orto and rout the Droid Army . The Battle of Orto did not end in freedom for the Ortolans , however : after Order 66 was issued and the rule of the Galactic Empire began , Nem Bees was killed , and the Ortolans found themselves subject to Imperial rather than Separatist oppression . Under the rule of the Galactic Empire , Orto was occupied by Imperial forces , and Ortolans were not allowed to leave the planet . Ortolans found offworld during the Imperial era were usually either slaves or associated with Rebels or smugglers . Ortolans in the galaxy . The Ortolan Vondri Deeq was a perfectionist chef operating the Three Jetties Gourmet Restaurant in Bartyn ' s Landing , Lamaredd . He supervised every served dish . Nem Bees was an Ortolan who served as a Jedi Knight during the Clone Wars , participating in efforts to drive the Confederacy of Independent Systems from his species ' s homeworld until he was assassinated during the enactment of Order 66 . Behind the scenes . " " uses the alternate spelling of Ortoloan .