Mynocks, phonetically transcribed as /ˈmaɪ.nɒk/ (according to the International Phonetic Alphabet) and defined in Merriam-Webster as \mīnäk, are a species of parasitic creatures resembling bats, originating or hailing from the planet known as Ord Mynock. A collection of mynocks is referred to as a battery. Furthermore, they flourished within asteroids and possessed the capability to endure in realspace, with certain individuals even residing inside exogorths. They sustained themselves by consuming the energy resources of starships, using this as their sustenance.
Mynocks, parasites with a bat-like form and a silicon-based biology, are a species that are indigenous to the planet called Ord Mynock. They are known to gnaw on the energy conductors and power cables of starships, with the capacity to deplete a vessel's entire energy reserves. It's been said that mynocks can become "spark-drunk" from consuming excessive amounts of energy. Their reproductive method involves splitting into two, with each half developing into a new organism. Mynocks can survive both in the atmospheres of planets and in the vacuum of space, although only specific types inhabit planets. They are also known to populate asteroid fields, thriving on asteroids, as well as the digestive tracts of exogorths, participating in their meals and contributing to their internal ecological balance. However, most exogorths dislike hosting mynocks within their bodies. Mynocks share a distant relation with grallocs and tibidees, sizable flying beings native to Stygeon Prime that also pose a problem for starpilots.
When prepared with the right seasoning, mynocks could be safely eaten by carbon-based lifeforms. Mynock roasts were a known dish on Ardennia. Mynock Cloud City and Mynock Coronet City were spicy mynock dishes popular among the Twi'leks. Some individuals hunted mynocks to provide space stations and colonists with a consistent supply of meat. The staff of Oga Garra's cantina kept pickled mynock available as a component for their beverages.
Soresu, also recognized as the Way of the Mynock, represents the third form of lightsaber combat.
During the assault on Seelos, Ezra Bridger used the phrase "We're sitting mynocks" when he, members of the Spectres, and three veteran clone trooper soldiers, Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor, were under attack from a TIE fighter while positioned on an old All Terrain Tactical Enforcer from the Clone Wars era.
In Galactic Basic Standard, the accepted collective noun for mynocks is a scold of mynocks.
Sabé, a handmaiden, once commented that she and her fellow handmaidens could have been wearing mynocks as necklaces without attracting any attention.
Reena University housed mynocks within its laboratory building. Around 396 BBY, during his days as a Reena University student, Axel Greylark released the laboratory's mynocks as a practical joke. Similar to his other pranks, no investigation could directly link him to the act, although Ry Harket, the Dean of Student Life, was certain of Greylark's involvement, even without concrete evidence.
During the Galactic Civil War, Commander Tylux of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Bellicose led his ship on a pursuit to capture a spy from the Alliance to Restore the Republic to avoid disappointing the Sith Lord Darth Vader. He eventually directed the Bellicose to follow the Rebel vessel into an Exogorth residing in an asteroid field. The Star Destroyer crashed through the space creature, providing an opportunity for numerous mynocks living within it to attach themselves and feed on the Bellicose. The damage inflicted by the mynocks and asteroids resulted in the loss of the destroyer's tractor beam and shielding, as well as damage to the ship's hull. Consequently, one of Tylux's Imperial officers suspected that the rebel had lured them into a trap, although the spy was genuinely surprised by the Star Destroyer's actions. As five Rebel starships arrived to support the spy and engaged the Bellicose, the mynocks continued to feed, and the crew abandoned ship.
In 3 ABY, shortly after the Battle of Hoth, the crew of the Millennium Falcon attempted to evade Vader's personal starfleet within the Hoth asteroid belt, landing in what they believed to be a cave. Unbeknownst to them, they had entered the digestive tract of an Exogorth named Sy-O. Unlike other Exogorths, Sy-O was fond of mynocks and welcomed them into its internal ecosystem. After several mynocks attacked and Captain Han Solo realized their location, the Falcon and its crew escaped from Sy-O.
Mynocks made their debut appearance in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.
Ben Burtt, the sound designer, imagined the creatures' screech as "a horse's whinny played at half speed and then mixed with itself."