Knobby white spider/Legends

The Knobby white spider was a large landspeeder-sized arachnid-like immature spore form of the gnarltree native to the swamp world of Dagobah. In addition to the very large ones, there were also some smaller, knee-height ones; Luke Skywalker ended up facing a number of these in his training.Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
==Biology and appearance==
One of the most bizarre organisms on Dagobah, the knobby white spider was in fact a mobile root that was part of the gnarltree's life cycle, that developed in bud colonies on their roots. Composed primarily of calcified wood, during the period of active adolescence it would break free of its parent tree to roam the swamps and devour animals for five to seven years. During this period it was vulnerable to bogwings, jubba birds, and others. After gathering enough nutrients, the spider would find a clear spot to anchor its legs, and if it survived that period, eventually it would be gradually enveloped by chrysalis-like bark and its legs would transform into roots that allow the spider to grow into a towering treeInside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy within three months.
The spiders had a large, lumpy body with a bloated, bulbous head, eight gnarled legs, and eight eyes that could see in all directions at once. They had one large stinger on the underbelly used to capture and sedate its prey,Junior Jedi Knights: Anakin's Quest and smaller stingers near the end of each leg to immobilize the target.
==Behind the scenes==
The knobby white spiders first appeared in the Star Wars Legends continuity in the 1995 novel Darksaber, written by Kevin J. Anderson,Darksaber and were first pictured in the 1995 reference book The Illustrated Star Wars Universe, written by Kevin J. Anderson and illustrated by Ralph McQuarrie. The artwork was based on a sketch made in February 1979 for the The Empire Strikes Back. In the Star Wars canon continuity, the artwork of the knobby white spider inspired three other creatures: the spice spider of Taul,Star Wars Special: C-3PO 1 the krykna, a spider-like creature found on Atollon, and the knobby white ice spider of Maldo Kreis.
==Appearances==
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*Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II novelization 
*Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
*Galaxy of Fear: The Hunger
*Star Wars Adventures: Luke Skywalker and the Treasure of the Dragonsnakes
*Darksaber 
*Junior Jedi Knights: Anakin's Quest
==Sources==
*The Illustrated Star Wars Universe
*Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back, Second Edition
*Star Wars Trilogy Sourcebook, Special Edition
*Star Wars Encyclopedia
*The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons
*Alien Anthology
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*The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide
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*Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide
*Inside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy
*Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide
*Star Wars: Complete Locations
*Threats of the Galaxy
*The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
*Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Updated and Expanded
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==Notes and references==
Category:Arachnids
Category:Creatures of Dagobah
Category:Plants of Dagobah
Category:Predatory creatures
Category:Species of undefined sentience
Category:Swamp creatures