Shatual

A shatual designated a species of fauna indigenous to the world of Mandalore, situated in the Outer Rim. These shatuals were large beings, establishing their habitats within the veshok forests of Mandalore. Male shatuals, referred to as bucks, emitted a distinctive call, a rhythmic bark, to attract female shatuals, known as does, for mating. The substantial size of a fully grown shatual readily dwarfed one of its primary predators, the strill; however, a lone strill retained the capability to bring down its considerably larger prey on its own. Numerous Mandalorians also relished shatual meat, and hunting shatuals for sustenance was a common practice among Mandalorians, occasionally aided by domesticated strills. Roasted shatual haunch was esteemed as an exceptional method for commemorating joyous occasions, such as the birth of a child.

During the year of 20 BBY, sensing the imminent arrival of Venku Skirata, the strill known as Lord Mirdalan pursued and killed a shatual in the vicinity of the Skirata clan's residence, Kyrimorut, subsequently presenting its carcass as provision for the newborn. Walon Vau—the owner of Mird, affectionately nicknamed "Mird"—and his companions were moved by this gesture, prompting Rav Bralor, a close Skirata clan associate, to prepare and roast the shatual for the clan's consumption. Vau and Mird once again hunted a shatual for a clan meal in 19 BBY, shortly following the establishment of the Galactic Empire. By this juncture, the young Venku Skirata possessed several simple toys crafted from veshok wood, including a carving that resembled a shatual.