Predatory feline creatures known as Nexu were native to the planet of Cholganna. In addition to Cholganna, they could also be located on Zhanox, Vodran, as well as Saleucami.
These predators, resembling agile cats, possessed a quartet of red eyes and a mane composed of sharp, defensive quills. This unique eye arrangement granted them exceptional vision, with one pair specialized for tracking prey through infrared vision, detecting body heat. The nexu's length was typically around 4.51 meters, and its height reached approximately 0.94 meters. Equipped with razor-sharp teeth and elongated claws, they were adept at scaling trees. Their tails, forked and resembling whips, came in pairs. The nexu's slender physique contributed to its remarkable agility and elusiveness, making it difficult to strike. However, this also rendered it vulnerable to injury or even death from a sufficiently forceful impact; a simple kick could inflict considerable pain and stun it. Conversely, their hide exhibited a degree of resilience against blaster weaponry.
Despite their naturally aggressive nature, nexu could be domesticated and trained.
Due to their fierce nature, nexu were commonly used in gladiator contests, leading to frequent poaching.
Archduke Poggle the Lesser housed a nexu within the Petranaki Arena located on Geonosis. This creature was deployed in an attempt to execute Senator Padmé Amidala before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. When a Geonosian guard tried to control the nexu by shocking it with an electric pike, the nexu became enraged and killed the Geonosian, pulling him off his mount and breaking his neck with its powerful jaws. The nexu then turned its attention to Senator Amidala, finding her a more challenging target. Although the nexu managed to wound the senator by slashing her across the back, tearing her clothing and causing her to scream, she retaliated with a strong kick that stunned the nexu due to its fragile skeletal structure. Shortly after, the predator was killed by a reek ridden by Anakin Skywalker, who charged it head-on with its horn.
A recording of a nexu's vocalizations was included in the sound collection of Tech, a clone commando belonging to Clone Force 99. In 19 BBY, a nexu stalked Omega, a young female clone, near the Lawquane farm, attempting to attack her after she exited the safe zone. Suu Lawquane shot the beast before it could act, and it fled when the former Clone Sergeant Hunter attacked it with a knife.
During the time of the war between the First Order and the Resistance, Dok-Ondar, an Ithorian shopkeeper, displayed a nexu head mounted on the wall of his establishment, Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities, located in Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.
The nexu's negative image resulted in the saying "Look what the nexu dragged in" becoming a common expression in certain parts of the galaxy. Wen Delphis, the leader of the Sixth Kin, used this phrase when Just Lucky, a former employee, returned after a long absence.
The ILM animation team gave the nexu that was featured in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones the nickname "Bad Kitty".
Robert Barnes was the designer of the nexu. Initial concept drawings showed a creature that resembled a lion. The final design of the nexu was achieved by Barnes through a combination of feline characteristics with traits from other species, including reptiles and humans.