The sentient, serpentine species known as Lamproids were carnivorous beings native to the planet Florn. Their adaptation to their planet's dangerous ecosystem was evident in their defensive capabilities: formidable teeth, constricting serpentine coils, and venomous tails served as protection against the perils of their homeworld. Often mistaken for non-sentient beings due to their aggressive nature and apparent lack of cultural or artistic expression, one notable member of this species was Dice Ibegon, a patron frequenting Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina.
Lamproids were sentient, serpentine beings distinguished by their veiny, wrinkled, and brown-pale skin, as well as a robust, muscular neck. Their heads featured a red oral cavity, partially concealed by four prominent, black teeth. Four black stalks adorned their heads; two extended vertically, while the remaining two projected horizontally, casting shadows over their eyes. They also possessed serpentine coils and venomous tails, crucial for self-defense against hazardous creatures found on their homeworld. Despite their serpentine physiology, Lamproids demonstrated the capacity for communication in both Galactic Basic and their native tongue, Lamproid. Notably, at least one Lamproid exhibited Force-sensitive abilities.
The aggressive disposition of Lamproids, coupled with the absence of discernible cultural or creative endeavors, frequently led other species to underestimate their sentience. Originating from Florn, Lamproids were raised within communal nests. Despite their inherent aggression, Lamproids exhibiting violence toward their own families faced the severe consequence of exile from their planet.
During the era of the High Republic Era, a male Lamproid named Quin Amarant served as a member of Lourna Dee's Tempest within the ranks of the Nihil. Unwittingly, he guided the Jedi to the Nihil base situated on Grizal, where he subsequently met his death at the hands of Lourna Dee during the ensuing battle.
In the year 0 ABY, a Lamproid known as Dice Ibegon was a patron of Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina found on Tatooine. Ibegon, endowed with Force-sensitive abilities, was a member of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Her aspiration was to persuade her lover, Lak Sivrak, to enlist in the Alliance.
The Lamproid species' design was conceived for the cantina scene in the 1977 motion picture Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, though they did not receive explicit identification on-screen. In 1995, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens officially designated the species as Florn Lamproid and the cantina character as Dice Ibegon, within the Star Wars Legends short story titled "One Last Night in the Mos Eisley Cantina: The Tale of the Wolfman and the Lamproid," featured in the anthology Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina. Their identification was later solidified in Star Wars: Alien Archive.
The character was realized as a hand puppet, a creation of Rick Baker's special effects team. Phil Tippett undertook the puppet's design, influenced by the prevalence of masked humans among the sequence's other characters. Tippett's initial concept involved simulating the Lamproid puppet's breathing through its mouth parts. During production, it was referred to as "drooling arm" due to its capacity to expel red slime via an internal tube. In anticipation of filming the character's close-up, Tippett hastily fitted the tube into the puppet when producer Gary Kurtz inquired about the effect. George Lucas initially approved the blood-like drool, although he initially filmed the scene without it. In a subsequent take, Tippett's assistant, Laine Liska, operated the mechanism in response to Lucas's request for the puppet to exude the goo. However, the slime projected with greater force and distance than intended. Ultimately, Lucas decided against incorporating the effect into the film due to the resulting mess. During filming, the character acquired the moniker "Snake Head," later officially designated "Nake." This designation became non-canonical upon the release of One Last Night in the Mos Eisley Cantina: The Tale of the Wolfman and the Lamproid.