Tarasin The Tarasins were a bipedal , sapient reptilian species indigenous to Cularin . They were remotely related to the gigantic kilassin . Biology and appearance . Tarasins were 1 . 6 to 1 . 7 meter - tall reptilians covered in translucent scales that allowed the species ' color - changing skin below to show through . Tarasins also had a colorful fan of flesh and scales — known as a kampo — that opened around their heads when they experienced strong emotional distress , which could be a detriment to negotiations , as it was difficult for a Tarasin to hide discomfort . This color - changing ability was useful for camouflage and communication , and the scales naturally repelled heat . Some examples of colors they took on included being brown when calm and in a comfortable environment , or becoming red after extended exertion or when excited . Tarasin also had short tails and short spines that protruded from their forearms — known as a sa ' tosin — which gave the creatures the ability to sense the use of the Force . Tarasins were naturally curious and protective but also slow to anger . What they lacked in sheer physical strength they made up for with a brilliant intellect . History . Although the Tarasins initially lived in nomadic tribes , at some point in their past they decided to create a different society . Tarasins would since live in a tribal system in the jungle underbrush of Cularin , grouping together in clans called irstat . Most irstat numbered several dozen , but they could be much bigger — The Hiironi irstat had a population of around three hundred as of 33 BBY ; however the " alien " cities of Gadrin and Hedrett had a minority Tarasin population of 2 , 000 and 2 , 900 , always under the 15 % of their total . The first two irstat to be created met in a rock that was intended to be used as a landmark : Each tribe would live separate from the other , so that both of them could have enough food , but they would also live at one day of distance of each other in case any of them needed help . The stone was to be the middle point among them . The buildings of an irstat were made of wood , and to outsiders looked like they could be broken down and moved easily , but the Tarasin were not normally nomadic . Some irstats started incorporated some prefab buildings into their villages , but even then they blended in with the environment . The eldest female of each tribe was revered as the " Mother " , and regarded as an exemplar of perfection . She served as the spiritual leader of the irstat . The second eldest female filled the role of chief , called the " Irstat - Kes . " Females were not seen as superior , but this situation was seen as practical , as the males were away from the irstat much of the time gathering food and other resources . In time , the stone of the first two irstats became a monument of sorts in the middle of the Sacred ch ' hala tree grove , surrounded by dozens of ch ' hala trees . It was not used for worship , but only to celebrate wood life , and no outsider was allowed to visit without a Tarasin escort . The irstat - kes of each tribe was supposed to met with her peers in the grove , and every Tarasin religious leader must visit the grove at least one and bring a ch ' hala sprout to plant it in his or her irstat . Tarasins were normally vegetarian s , though they hunted kilassin for other uses , such as for their skins or medicinal uses , as they find it distasteful to hunt kilassin for food . Those who lived near non - native settlements might take up the eating of meat , but only when around offworlders , and never the meat of kilassin . The curiosity of Tarasins gave them a desire to learn about the outside world , and many frequently pursued adventure off Cularin , though they did not like to stay away too long . These qualities also made them accepting of the customs and traditions of outsiders . This led to them being quick to trust the first offworlders who landed on Cularin . Though the Tarasin and outsiders were able to work together at first , soon the offworlders wanted to reap the resources of Cularin with quicker methods which would leave long - term damage , and the Tarasin resisted . The Tarasin Revolt ( 161 BBY – 154 BBY ) ensued , which was finally brought to an end with the Cularin Compact . This agreement granted the Tarasins some rights , and stopped outsiders from looting the planet ' s natural resources . During the revolt , some Tarasins took refuge and quarters in the Ishkik caverns , discovering the local stone . After it , they returned to their irstat way of life , but began using the ishkik stones to build tools or as decoration . In 119 BBY , the Jedi Order built an experimental academy in nearby planet Almas . Soon , Tarasins began sending there their Force - sensitive children . Master Nerra Ziveri accepting applications of students that would have been deemed too old in other Jedi academies , specially among Tarasins , but always screening carefully every applicant to avoid potential dangers . Elder Tarasins were worried about their younglings finding the non - irstat environment too intimidating , which could lead them to fail in their Jedi training . As such , elder Tarasins exhorted young ones not to go , but this proved ineffective . Besides , Master Ziveri began new policies to adapt his Academy to the Tarasin students ' needs ( such as the Jedi quest s to solve the unease of Tarasins to leave their planetary system ) , and even constructed new buildings more adequate for them . The Elders eventually sent a Tarasin religious leader and force adept , Mother Missira , to the Almas Academy , where she was to look after the Tarasin students and teach them their cultural heritage . The Almas Academy became since the " alma mater " of many Tarasin Jedi , some of whom left the system as Jedi Knights . Between 78 BBY and 53 BBY , some Tarasins were kidnapped by local crime lord Riboga the Hutt , to be sold off - system as slaves ; however , Riboga mainly dealt with Core World slaves . This practice stopped when Riboga was replaced with crime lord Nirama , who was opposed to slavery . In 34 BBY , a Tarasin male by the name of Duus left the planet Cularin . He was searched thoroughly , but eventually the examination was abandoned , and Duus was declared a traitor to the Tarasin . Other Tarasins , such as Ta ' Sen , also left Cularin but were not persecuted for some reason ; Tarasins spoke Tarasinese , but were known to communicate by simply changing their skin colors when spoken conversation was impractical , dangerous , or impossible . An outsider could , with time , learn how to interpret these unspoken communications . Religion . The Tarasin believe they have a symbiotic relationship with Cularin , and their religion is based around the appreciation of the natural world . This closeness with their homeworld is what makes the Tarasin reluctant to leave it for an extended time . The Tarasin have a strong connection with the Force , and their spiritual leaders were often able to call upon the Force in small ways . When the Almas Academy was established , a number of Tarasin studied there to become Jedi . The Tarasin believed that the ch ' hala tree was sacred . This may have been influenced by the trees having a similar ability to shift their colors as the Tarasin , but it is also the most unique tree on Cularin . As part of the Cularin Compact , the Tarasin did allow a few of these trees to be harvested each year , but only as live transplants .