Strill

Strills, typically around a meter long, were predatory mammals native to the world of Mandalore in the Outer Rim. They used hermaphroditic reproduction, capable of both fathering and bearing young. Their offspring were usually called pups. Strills had thick fur that was gold or gray-tan in color, and loose, leathery skin folds that reached their thin, whip-like tails. These skin folds formed wing membranes between their six strong legs, allowing them to glide from high places and even fly short distances by flapping their legs in unison. They could also carry heavy loads while flying, even a full-grown Human male. With lifespans often three or four times longer than humans, Mandalorian owners commonly passed their beloved strills to clan members after their deaths.

Their eyes were gold, their tongues gray, and they possessed sharp claws. Their wide mouths contained sharp fangs suited for a carnivorous diet, capable of biting through skull [bone](/article/bone-legends]. They were also known for their excessive saliva. Strills could endure very cold temperatures for long durations, and their hearing was superior to that of Humans. A defining characteristic was their strong, acrid odor. While often repulsive to male Humans, individuals could become accustomed to the scent. Human females and non-humanoid species, however, didn't find the scent unpleasant, which helped them as hunters. Unfortunately, strills were prone to brain tumors that could cause irrational anger and aggression, even towards their owners.

Strills were highly intelligent, understanding verbal commands and sensing the emotions of nearby sentients. They communicated through various noises, including baying during hunts, whining when stressed, and squeaking when happy. As territorial creatures, they marked their claimed areas by rubbing saliva and spraying from scent glands around the perimeter. Domesticated strills usually stayed close to their owners, but sometimes roamed within their territory. Their ability to bear young gave them a strong maternal instinct, sensing nearby pregnant females. Despite their predatory nature, they were protective of their young and the offspring of those around them. Human infants were safe around strills, which were known to build nests for human children using available soft materials like clothing and blankets.

As skilled trackers and hunters, strills could take down prey larger than themselves, such as shatuals, in their forest habitat. They could carry their kill long distances. Their sharp claws allowed them to climb buildings and trees, ambushing prey from above. They would leap from their perch, using their skin-formed wings to glide and swoop down for the kill. Strills enjoyed milk in addition to meat, preferring to eat their own kill but sharing with their owner. They also hunted for their young or those they felt responsible for. Domesticated strills were extremely loyal and protective of their masters and their families.

Strills, originating from Mandalore, adapted to the veshok forests of the Outer Rim. Over Mandalore's history, the Mandalorian people captured and domesticated strills as pets. Their intelligence, hunting skills, and loyalty were valued, and these long-lived animals were often passed down through generations. In the Mandalorian language of Mando'a, the term for strill was striil.

Mandalore the Avenger once possessed a Strill.

Lord Mirdalan, nicknamed Mird or Mird'ika, was the companion of Mandalorian soldier Walon Vau. Mird remained with Vau for most of his life leading up to the final years of the Galactic Republic, and was his near constant companion. When Vau was selected by Jango Fett to join the Cuy'val Dar for training clone commandos for the Grand Army of the Republic's special forces on Kamino, Mird accompanied him to the aquatic world, where he enjoyed stalking Kaminoans in Tipoca City. On one occasion, the strill even killed a lower-caste, blue-eyed Kaminoan. During the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Mird assisted Vau and clone commandos in bringing down a Jabiimi terrorist cell responsible for bombing attacks on Coruscant. After Vau shot and killed the terrorist leader, Mird recovered the body and criminal files.

In the war's second year, Vau raided the Dressian Kiolsh Merchant Bank on Mygeeto, a world controlled by the InterGalactic Banking Clan, to steal his inheritance denied by his mother and father when he left home. During his escape from the bank, Vau fell through the ice; Mird attempted to keep Vau warm until Kal Skirata rescued them. Etain Tur-Mukan, later adopted by Skirata, had her son Venku that year, and Mird became very protective of the child, building nests for him. The strill later resided at Skirata's clan home on Mandalore, Kyrimorut, marking the farm land as its own and enjoying the attention of its master and the other residents.

By 40 ABY, strills were rare on Mandalore, nearing extinction. Lord Mirdalan was then owned by Jaing Skirata, entrusted to him after Vau's death. Mird continued to assist Skirata as a bounty hunter, and in 41 ABY, they attended the wedding of Ghes Orade and Mirta Gev in Keldabe. The Oyu'baat hotel in Keldabe displayed a "No Strills Inside" sign, but bar patron Baltan Carid joked that a strill resided in the executive suite.

Another strill was kept by a friend of Gotab, a former Jedi-turned-Mandalorian. The beloved strill developed a brain tumor, causing aggression. After attacking several people, including Gotab and its owner, the decision was made to euthanize the animal.

The strill was first mentioned in Karen Traviss's 2004 novel, Republic Commando: Hard Contact. The initial reference to a skilled hunting animal was later expanded in the sequel, Triple Zero, where Lord Mirdalan debuted. Lord Mirdalan became a recurring character in Traviss' Republic and Imperial Commando series, including True Colors, Order 66, and Imperial Commando: 501st.

Lord Mirdalan is the most featured strill in Star Wars. The species received its first visual depiction in a sketch of Lord Mirdalan by Shea Standefer for the 2010 Topps Star Wars Galaxy Series 5 trading card set. Another image was included in the 2010 Star Wars RPG supplement, The Unknown Regions, by Wizards of the Coast.