8549 Tarakava

8549 Tarakava is a BIONICLE Rahi set released in 2001. It contains two Tarakava; one dark turquoise with a Kanohi Kakama, and one blue with a Kanohi Pakari. Each have two levers on the back to thrust the arms forward in a punching motion. They can be combined to make a Tarakava-Nui.
== Background ==
In the BIONICLE Universe, Tarakava were fierce underwater predators. They were powerful, and extremely fast in the water, but were easy to trick, being unintelligent Rahi. Makuta controlled the Tarakava on the Island of Mata Nui by infecting their Kanohi, but these had since been removed. There was also a race of Tarakava, known as the Sand Tarakava, that was smaller and less dangerous than the common Tarakava.
== Gallery ==
Set_Rahi_Tarakava.png
8549.jpg|The two Tarakava back-to-back
8549insback.PNG|Display of the functions
8549-1.jpg|Prototype where the Rahi's teeth are turquoise and blue
== Notes ==
* This is the only Bionicle set besides 1392 Kongu with dark turquoise as a colour.
* This set is one of few official LEGO sets to include an (although minor) "illegal"; a technique which breaks the "rules" of LEGO brick connections and in this case harms the bricks. This is found on the shoulders of the blue Tarakava where part 32190 (right shoulder) and part 32191 (left) is forcibly connected to part 32557.
* There are rumors about Sand Tarakava - a prototype model that never make it past the prototype stage, but supposedly five of them exist. One of them belong to Mark Durham, and the only prototype pieces on the set are yellow Ruru and sand claw piece. Those tarakava are supposed to be smaller than "water" tarakava and sold seperately.
Sand8549-01.jpg
SandTarakava06.jpg
Sand8549-03.jpg
== Unique parts ==
* Part 32007 in blue is exclusive to this set.
* Part 32007 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 731c06 in blue is exclusive to this set.
* Part 731c06 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 32475 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 32568 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 6192 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 32278 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 32527 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 32528 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
* Part 3738 in dark turquoise is exclusive to this set.
== External Links ==
* The article at the BIONICLE Wiki about the Tarakava
* Bricklink
Category:BIONICLE
Category:2001 sets
Category:8000 sets