Humanoid



A humanoid species (also sometimes called anthropoid) was one that was similar in overall form to Humans, the most common sentient species in the galaxy. The term is less specific than Near-Human, which generally implies common biological ancestry with Humans.

Classification of a species as "humanoid" was not standardized or strict. Generally, a humanoid species had to have a similar anatomy to Humans at least in some degrees: that is, an upright bipedal stance, a head with two eyes, nose for breathing and smelling and mouth for nutrition and communication. Symmetrically arranged on either side of the torso (which is the main section of the body) were two arms -- each of which ended in hands that had a variable number of fingers (used for manipulation of objects) -- and two legs -- which ended in feet (used for locomotion). Humanoids generally had sparse hair, mainly concentrated on the head or face.

Slight variations and deviations from this general 'template' could be overlooked and a species could still be classified as humanoid. For example Duros had no ears, nose, or hair; Twi'leks and Togruta featured headtails; and many non-Humanoids had Humanoid features. Wookiees, although seeming animalic, could be called humanoids.

The term humanoid should not be confused with Near-Human, which is the term used to describe species and races that were closely related, biologically, to baseline Humans.

Non-humanoid sentient species had distinctly nonhuman characteristics, such as tails, additional limbs, wings, additional heads, or invertebrate characteristics.