There's No Way You Can Identify All These Star Wars Alien Races!
- by Joseph Pulford
- – on
- in Movies and TV
One of the reasons that Star Wars has become so iconic is the Cantina scene in Star Wars A New Hope. Seeing all of the strange and fun aliens really set Star Wars apart from all the other Sci-Fi movies that we had seen up to that point. Sure there had been aliens and monsters before this scene but never had there been as many interacting in one place. A quick glance around the bar revealed dozens of species, all with unique looks and characteristics. The scene would be repeated in many of the other Star Wars movies, in places like Jabba's Palace and the Podrace Arena, but the Cantina still holds a special place in the hearts of fans.
Aliens have always been one of the most intriguing parts of the Star Wars franchise, but how well do you know them? Is Chewie a Gungan or a Wookie? When Han shoot first, what kind of alien did he kill? What race got the plans for the second Death Star? So grab a glass of blue milk and strap in. Take this quiz and see if you're an alien expert, or if you're going to need C-3PO to explain the galaxy to you.
What type of alien is Chewbacca?
Chewbacca is Han Solo's co-pilot and best friend. He is from a warrior race of aliens that live on the planet Kashyyyk. They are a tree-dwelling culture because the predators on the ground level of their planet are so vicious. This species is incapable of human speech, but they can learn to understand it. Many of this species were put into slavery by the Empire. Other members of this species include Tarful, Lowbacca, and Gungi. Can you name these hairy aliens?
Jar-Jar Binks belonged to which alien race from Naboo?
Jar Jar Binks had gotten himself exiled from the underwater city that his people inhabited on Naboo. This alien race had forged a very tenuous peace with the humans that lived on the surface world. When the Trade Federation threatened their planet a plea for help from Queen Amidala convinced this species to fight for their planet. They would even go on to vote for Jar Jar as a Galactic Senator. Can you name this warrior species who preferred to live underwater?
Jabba was a part of which alien race?
Jabba was one of the largest crime lords in the galaxy, both literally and figuratively. He was from a race of aliens that are known for their inclination to support illegal activities. Other Famous members of his race include Ziro, Harra, and Rotta. As this species ages, they become larger and larger. Over time they become so big that they lose the ability to move on their own. Can you name this crime lord species known for running the drug trade in the galaxy?
What species of alien attacks Luke on Tatooine?
This alien species is known for keeping almost everything about themselves hidden. Very few people ever see them without their masks and robes. They are scavengers who will attack outpost on Tatooine to get food, water, and supplies. They use Bantha's as transportation, and always ride single file to hide their numbers. They are the species that kidnapped Anakin's mother Shmi. Anakin would slaughter a whole village of them to get revenge for her death. Can you name these aliens known for their loud battle cry?
Can you name the alien species that Ahsoka is part of?
Ahsoka was Anakin Skywalkers first and last Jedi apprentice. She came from a race of aliens known for their connection to The Force. They come from the world Shili. They are very fast and agile. Ahsoka grows up a lot from the Start of the Clone Wars, and even takes on the responsibilities of a General in the Rebellion. Other famous members of this species include Shaak Ti, who was a Jedi Master in the Clone Wars. Can you name this Force-sensitive species?
Can you identify the alien race of Wicket ?
Wicket was from a species of warriors that lived on the forest moon of Endor. They were known for harassing the Imperial installations on the moon, including stealing equipment and food. They are avid hunters who like to trap their prey. They showed no concern with eating other sentient species and would have cooked Luke and Han had they not tricked them into believing C-3PO was a god. Can you name these hunters who helped destroy the second Death Star?
Which alien species was most responsible for obtaining the 2nd Death Star plans?
This group of aliens is most famous for being the species that stole the plans for the 2nd Death Star. Though we only see them briefly in the original trilogy, they are featured in a now-famous line from Return of the Jedi, and so they are one of the most popular races in Star Wars. These aliens are known for being shrewd politicians, and fierce fighters. Famous members of this group include Borsk Fey'lya. Can you name this fur covered alien species?
Greedo the bounty hunter was a member of which alien race?
Greedo, who by the way shot second, was new to bounty hunting when he first went after Han. Greedo had been warned that his arrogance and short temper would get him killed, and Han Solo proved that point. This species is originally from a swamp homeworld, so Tatooine was a fairly dry environment for the species. Other famous members of this group include Anakin's childhood friend Wald, Senator Onaconda Farr, and Tseebo. Can you name this green Alien species that has antennas and a snout nose?
Can you name the species of the Pod Racer Sebulba?
Sebulba was known to be mean and hot-headed, even for this alien race. The species is known for walking on their arms and using their feet as hands. Using all four limbs they were able to control Pods quicker then humans could. This gave Sebulba an advantage in his races on Tatooine. They lived on the planet Malastare, where they were often attacked by the Zillo Beast. Can you name these aliens whose homeworld had large fuel deposits that both sides needed?
Which aliens found R2-D2 and C-3PO on Tatooine?
These small aliens were known for collecting droids and electronics on Tatooine. They used Sandcrawlers that had been left on the planet for thousands of years as transportation. They refurbished the droids and sold them to other residents on Tatooine. They were very mechanically inclined and could fix almost any piece of technology. Though we never see this creature's face, we do see glowing eyes from under their brown cloaks. These aliens would sell R2 and 3PO to Uncle Owen. Can you name these small scavengers who would yell "Utinni"?
What kind of alien was Bib Fortuna?
This alien species is known for the tentacles that come out of their heads. These are called lekku, or brain tails. They use the lekku in their speech. Other famous members of this alien race are Aayla Secura, Oola, and Hera Syndulla. They come from the desert planet Ryloth. Many of this species were sold into slavery, which is why their females are seen dancing around the galaxy. The planet also sells a form of the drug spice. Can you name this alien species known for its beautiful women?
Can you name these aliens who are known for their musical skills?
This group of aliens was known for their sensitive hearing. They liked to use this gift to create music, but they also were known for their skill as engineers and scientist. They look a lot like the classic grey aliens from fiction. The most famous members of this species are Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, who were the band playing in the Cantina. This species has no noses, but they can smell through slits on their neck. Can you name these long fingered alien musicians?
Ponda Baba was an outlaw member of which Alien species?
Ponda Baba is the outlaw who doesn't like Luke's face in the Cantina. Many older fans knew him as Walrus Man. He and his partner Doctor Cornelius Evazan narrowly escaped the destruction of Jedha City, but they would not get off Tatooine unscathed. Ponda Baba would get his arm cut off by Obi-Wan Kenobi. This species would side with the Separatist in the Clone Wars, and many of them can be seen working for Count Dooku in the prequel movies. Can you name these aliens that look like walruses?
Which alien race ran the Trade Federation at the start of the Clone Wars?
This alien race was in charge of the trade federations when they blockaded Naboo. Though they were taking orders form Palpatine, they were seen as one of the driving forces behind the Separatist movement. The most famous members of this species included Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, and Lott Dod. This species would be almost entirely destroyed by the end of the Clone Wars. The portrayal of these aliens as having Asian accents would lead to conversations about race portrayal in pop culture. Can you name this alien species that was almost made extinct?
What alien group was bounty hunter Cad Bane from?
Many Star Wars fans remember this species from the Cantina scene in A New Hope. There are two of them, and they are having a lively conversation in many of the panning scenes around the Cantina. Fans would learn more about the species when Cad Bane was introduced. His people are known for their red eyes and their adventurous natures. They were one of the first aliens to develop Hyperspace drives and they enjoyed exploration. Can you name these large bald aliens?
Can you name these pig like aliens that protected Jabba's Palace?
These large aliens where known for protecting Jabba's Palace. They are huge and strong, but they are not very bright. In most of the galaxy, these aliens work labor intensive jobs and enjoy showing off their physical might. They are not capable of speaking basic unless their voice box is changed in some way. They have limited dexterity, and so they tend not to use blasters, instead, they use big handled weapons like axes. Can you name these aliens, one of which got eaten by a Rancor?
Which alien species was Zuckuss a member?
Zuckuss is an interesting character. He was one of the 5 bounty hunters sent after Han Solo in the Empire Strikes Back. The crazy thing is, his original Kenner toy labeled him as 4-Lom. His partner the robot was supposed to be 4-Lom. Though this has been largely fixed, some still get them confused. Zuckuss's race was unable to breathe oxygen and had to wear masks when interacting with other species. They are an insect-like race that breath ammonia. Can you name this species?
Can you name this alien group sometimes called Squid Heads?
One member of this species can be seen in Jabba's Palace, Tessek. He was Jabba's bookkeeper. They are an aquatic species that share the same home world as the Mon Calamari. They are always at odds with the Mon Calamari, many of these aliens supported the Separatist, but not all of them. This group has four tentacles on their face, and they can produce an organic ink that they can squirt out of their mouth. Can you name this alien group are sometimes referred to as Squid Heads?
Garazeb Orrelios belongs to what alien race?
Zeb, the loveable crew member of the Ghost is from a group of aliens that were enslaved by the Empire. This group of aliens was designed to look like the early Ralph McQuarrie concept art of Chewbacca. Many of this race were killed when the Empire attacked their homeworld using particularly cruel weapons. By the time of the Galactic Rebellion, only a few of this species remained. Can you name this alien group that was sometimes mistaken for Wookies by less educated individuals?
What alien group includes the Rebellion's Admiral Ackbar?
Gial Ackbar, most famous for proclaiming "It's a trap!" in Return of the Jedi is a member of this aquatic species. Though often a peaceful people, they tend to produce very strategic military leaders and engineers. This species created a very powerful cruiser and the B-Wing fighter for the Rebels. This species created the play Squid Lake that Anakin and Palpatine attend in Revenge of the Sith while discussing The Force. Can you name these fish-like people who side with the Rebellion?
What alien race was the Imperial spy, Garindan?
Garindan was the most famous member of this alien race. He found Luke, Obi-Wan and the Droids and reported their location to the Storm Troopers who were looking for them. They are known for their long snots and sensitive eyes that always require shielding. They are from the planet Kubindi which was a planet that the Empire claimed. They are incapable of speaking basic, and their language sounds more like tweets and whistles. These aliens are insectivores. Can you name these aliens that often work as informants or spies?
What is Grand Admiral Thrawn's alien race?
This group of aliens is very secretive and remote. One of the only members of their race that have been involved in Galactic Politics is Grand Admiral Thrawn. The race first appeared in the now Legends books for Star Wars, but the character of Thrawn was so popular that he made his way into the new Disney canon in Rebels. They have blue skin and red eyes. Can you name this species whose culture remains a mystery to most of the galaxy?
Nien Nunb is a member of which alien species?
This alien species is renowned for its pilots. Lando Calrissian's Co-pilot on the Millennium Falcon was Nien Nunb who was a member of this species. They have two flaps of jowls around their cheeks, large black eyes, and large ears. When this species homeworld was freed from the Empire by the Rebellion, many of them joined the Rebel cause and served well. Ten Nunb currently serves for the Resistance in the new trilogy. What is the name of this alien race?
What alien species is the Sith Darth Maul a member of?
This species from the planet of Iridonia is known for being strongly independent. They are carnivorous and have pronounced canine teeth. They fought against any kind of external control of their planet. They are known for their horns, and for being strong and tough. Darth Maul was from a group of this race that lived on Dathomir. Other famous members of this race include Jedi Master Agen Kolar and the Sith apprentice Savage Opress. Can you name this species known for producing strong and fierce warriors?
Can you name these reptilian aliens that include Bossk?
This alien race was known for having some of the most skilled hunters in the Galaxy. They would search out new and interesting creatures to hunt for sport. They were not opposed to using sentient species as well and were known for hunting Wookiees. Once this species even tried to hunt Ahsoka Tano and Chewbacca, but they failed. Many of these hunts would take place on Wasskah, a moon that was owned by this species. Can you name these large reptilian hunter aliens?
What alien species was Hammerhead from?
One of the most remembered aliens from the famous Cantina scene in A New Hope is this alien that fans referred to as Hammerhead because of the shape of his head. This alien species was known for taking care of the trees and foliage of their homeworld. They considered all life extremely sacred and were known for being pacifist. Even away from their homeworld, they tended to take jobs as farmers, however, some did find work in other fields. Can you name these uniquely shaped aliens?
Can you name this alien race from an ice planet?
This alien race looked like giant white fuzzy muppets. One of the most famous members of this species was Muftak who was abandoned on the desert planet of Tatooine. He was known to have a drink at the Mos Eisly Cantina. This species came from Orto Plutonia. Though this species is primitive, it has interacted with the Galactic Republic, and members of this race can be found on a variety of planets. Can you name these large white furry aliens?
What kind of alien was Joh Yowza, who sang Jedi Rock at Jabba's?
This alien race is best known for being musicians at Jabba's Palace. He sang the much-maligned Jedi Rock song from the Special Edition of Return of the Jedi. This species is native to the forest moon of Endor. They interacted with the Ewoks often, and were usually on good terms with them, though some members of this species would try to eat Ewoks that they caught. These creatures were often sold as pets, even though they were fully sentient. Can you name these furry rock stars?
What is the name of the aliens who worked the carbonite freezers in Cloud City?
These aliens came from the world of Gentes. They are pig-like in appearance and had been used as a slave labor force in the galaxy for many years. They were often found in many labor jobs all around the galaxy. This species is known for being incredibly tough, and long-lived. In Cloud City, they had attempted to melt down 3PO even as Chewbacca tried to collect his dismantled pieces. Can you name this alien group of pig-like workers in Cloud City?
Unkar Plutt was part of what alien race?
Unkar Plutt was the merchant that Rey and other scavengers traded their hard-won prizes to on Jakku. He was known for being extremely stingy, but he was the only place on the planet where one could get rations. His race was an aquatic species. This species is all male, but they do have an all female species they breed with called the Gilliands. It was not common for this species to leave their homeworld. Can you name this alien race that spawned Unkar Plutt?
Hondo Ohnaka was a pirate member of which alien race?
The galactic pirate Hondo Ohnaka and many of his crew all belonged to a race of aliens that were known for their tough leathery skin that gave them some natural resistance to blaster fire. This led them to take jobs as bounty hunters and security. They came from a harsh desert planet, Sriluur, and so they were used to a very hostile life. Fighting for resources was natural on their homeworld. Can you name this alien group that found careers that tended to be violent?
Can you name this three-eyed alien race from Star Wars?
Ree-Yees is one of the best-known members of this alien group. He was a three-eyed goat looking alien that was seen hanging out in Jabba's Palace. He was killed in the sail barge explosion. The species was from the planet Malastare. They were famous in the galaxy for their skill as pilots, and one was a famous podracer who took part in the race that won Anakin Skywalker his freedom. Can you name this race of three-eyed aliens who also had 6 fingers on each hand?
Can you name this sentient race that was kept as pets by some members of the galaxy?
Though this alien race was sentient, they were often kept as pets, especially among the underworld. Jabba and Hando both had these creatures as pets. They were known for their sadistic nature and there advanced sense of humor. They seemed to delight in torturing things that were weaker than them. Salacious B. Crumb served as a jester in Jabba's Palace, and his laugh could often be heard throughout halls of the Palace. Can you name these small aliens who enjoyed making others laugh?
What kind of alien was Jedi Master Kit Fisto?
Jedi Master Kit Fisto was part of an alien race from the planet Glee Anselm. They are an aquatic species and live mostly underwater. Kit Fisto's lightsaber was built to be waterproof so we could use it underwater. Their eyes were specialized for low light vision, and their head tentacles allowed them to sense chemicals in the air, which could often give them insight into how others were feeling. In their youth phase of life, these aliens cannot leave the water. Can you name this aquatic species?
Prince Xizor is part of what alien race?
These large green aliens were very reptilian in appearance. They had a unique ability to project their hormones on to others, which allowed them some control over others. This species ran the crime organization Black Sun. These aliens were first introduced in the multimedia story Shadows of the Empire from 1996. They appeared in the comics, the book, and the video game. They made their way into the new canon in episodes of the Clone Wars Cartoon. Can you name these large and strong reptilian aliens?