Nexu

Nexu were feline creatures native to the chilly forests of the Indona continent on the planet Cholganna. There were other breeds of nexu on Cholganna's other continents, but only the forest nexu had an additional set of eyes able to view in infrared wavelength, which aided in their hunting of bark rats and tree-climbing octopi. They were often exported and trained as security beasts, as used for patrolling on Malastare, or used in arena combat, as seen on Geonosis.

The nexu appeared to be rodent-like in nature, with claws which could slice a Human in half. They had spikes along their back, and a long tail that in the wild allowed the nexu to swing from tree branch to tree branch. They had extremely sharp instincts and reflexes, although they were known to tire easily, and often used swift movements to finish an enemy quickly, biting down and thrashing their head about to break their victim's neck. Cubs are born pure white.

Too vicious to be kept in zoos and difficult to train as watch-beasts, they were instead sought after for arena battles where their ferocity was much appreciated by spectators. This resulted in many big-game hunters making regular visits to Cholganna, hoping to capture a live nexu for export. Many hunters ended up dead however, when tracking prides of nexu, and as a result fees for live nexu often ranged up to half a million credits per animal. Buyers such as Senator Ask Aak of Malastare and Archduke Poggle the Lesser of Geonosis willingly paid such prices however, in order to add these magnificent creatures to their collections.

In 32 BBY, after the Invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation, the bounty hunter Jango Fett faced many nexus in his visit on Malastare, during his [hunt for Komari Vosa.

A nexu was used during the attempted execution of Padmé Amidala prior to the outbreak of the Clone Wars, and its actions could be considered typical of the species. It would strike, then return to the ground quickly, waiting to see if its enemy would strike back. It was an extremely aggressive creature, snapping and clawing in the general direction of Amidala. When a Geonosian guard attempted to direct it with a jab from his electropole, this only served to irritate the creature further and the Geonosian guard was quickly devoured. An agile hunter that sacrificed bone mass for speed, a kick from Amidala knocked the nexu down, stunning its tender body greatly. A final ram from a reek finished it off.