Dianogas

Dianogas are a non-sentient species of cephalopod. These aquatic creatures are characterized by a central abdominal mass with a large gaping maw filled with sharp, jagged teeth and seven tentacles that can grow up to ten meters in length. A dianoga possesses a single eye-stalk which grows from the middle of its cranium. These carnivorous creatures prefer moist, humid environments such as swamps to survive, but can also be found in industrial waste centers and sewage systems. One such animal made a home for itself in garbage compactor #3263827 on the original Death Star. Dianogas have also shown to have some commercial value. Their hide has been used for clothing and their meat has been used in the creation of a wide range of recipes including cheese.

On the Death Star
In 0 BBY, a group of young freedom fighters consisting of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca the Wookiee and Princess Leia sought refuge inside of this garbage compactor in order to escape from a squad of pursuing Imperial Stormtroopers. Spying the group with its eye-stalk, the dianoga attacked Luke Skywalker, wrapping its tentacles about his throat and dragging him down into the muck and sewage. Fortunately for Luke, most of his body was covered in Stormtrooper armor, which the dianoga apparently found distasteful, so it let him go. Although the Imperials activated the garbage unit's compactor walls, both the heroes and the dianoga managed to survive. Once they escaped, the dianoga made one last effort to attack them, reaching a tentacle outside of the garbage basin. Han shot the tentacle with his blaster and commented, "Doesn't that thing ever give up?" Although the dianoga may have survived Han's blaster shot, it certainly did not survive the destruction of the Death Star itself after Luke Skywalker fired a proton torpedo into it, causing it to explode.

Notes & Trivia

 * A green, plastic representation of a dianoga was included in the Death Star playset by Kenner Toys. This was the first time that a complete dianoga was ever seen.


 * An alien known as Anky Fremp was said to have "skin the color of dianoga cheese".


 * In the Family Guy: Blue Harvest DVD special, the dianoga is represented as Meg Griffin. It is Meg's only appearance in the film.