What Do We Know About Yoda's Species? Canon Edition

Despite Yoda's status as one of the most iconic figures in the Star Wars galaxy, we actually know very little about his species.

Yoda is a symbol of the Jedi Order's wisdom. He guides some of the most important heroes in the series. Yet, the answers remain surprisingly sparse when we look for official details about where he came from, what his species is called, or how his people live.

Yoda's Species

Star Wars creator George Lucas intentionally kept Yoda's origins shrouded in mystery. He believed that not every character needed a detailed backstory and that some figures might serve the story better when they stirred curiosity.

This creative choice has given Yoda's species an aura of enduring enigma that persists through the official Star Wars canon.

Let's explore what we know about Yoda's species circa December 2024, relying exclusively on canonical information from films, television series, and other officially recognized Star Wars materials. References to expanded works in the Legends continuity will remain separate, as they are no longer part of the primary narrative.

The Empire Strikes Back

Yoda made his first appearance in "The Empire Strikes Back" as a reclusive and eccentric hermit living on the swampy world of Dagobah.

Audiences soon learned he was one of the last surviving Jedi, possessing profound knowledge of the Force.

Yoda trained Luke Skywalker and cemented his position as a mentor figure and a linchpin in the overarching battle between the light and dark sides of the Force.

Members of Yoda's Species

Much of Yoda's background remains inaccessible. We know he sat on the Jedi Council, served as a leading figure and Grand Master in the Jedi Order, and eventually became an influential Force ghost after death. Beyond these details, the Star Wars canon offers few explicit clues about his people.

However, two other members of his species have emerged, giving fans further hints about their rare and mysterious nature.

Yaddle

One such character is Yaddle, a female member of Yoda's species. She appeared on the Jedi Council in "The Phantom Menace."

Though she had far less screen time than Yoda, her mere existence confirmed that his species is not exclusively male or asexual.

Yaddle eventually resigned from the Council for reasons that remain unclear, and official sources do not fully explain what became of her following Order 66. Nonetheless, she is an important example of Yoda's species having female members and a deep connection to the Force.

Grogu

In more recent Star Wars storytelling, Grogu—often called "Baby Yoda" by viewers—debuted in the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian."

Despite his childlike appearance, Grogu possesses strong Force abilities, which reflect a remarkable sensitivity that appears intrinsic to members of his species.

Grogu's introduction has reignited fan interest in the origins and biology of this unusual group, illustrating that even the youngest among them can harness impressive power.

The Star Wars canon remains silent about other individuals of this species within the current storyline.

However, "Star Wars Legends" includes several others, such as characters like Minch and Oteg. These older stories, while beloved by many longtime fans, are no longer considered canonical. They remain an interesting footnote for those exploring the extended Star Wars universe, but do not shape the species' place in the official narrative.

Physical Characteristics of Yoda's Species

Although Star Wars has introduced countless species with varied forms, Yoda's people remain visually and narratively distinctive.

Star Wars canon sources confirm that they are notably small in stature and often appear slightly stooped. Yoda stood only around two feet tall, which contrasts sharply with the prowess he demonstrated in both physical combat and wielding the Force.

Grogu, much younger than Yoda, mirrors this petite build, showing that small size seems to be a consistent trait within the species.

They are also known to live for an exceptionally long time. Yoda himself lived to be 900 years old, a remarkable lifespan that gives insight into the species' slow aging process.

Grogu, though 50 years old in "The Mandalorian," still behaves like a toddler, suggesting that this species matures at a much slower rate than humans.

In addition, the fact that Yoda and Yaddle stand as male and female members confirms that, at least within the canon, there are two sexes in this species.

One notable detail that has surfaced in some official materials refers to a "sub-brain" within members of Yoda's species. Though the Star Wars canon does not delve deeply into the biology of this feature, it may be linked to their intense Force connection. All known members —Yoda, Yaddle, and Grogu— show an innate aptitude for controlling or sensing the Force. This consistent trend suggests that they may possess a predisposition for such powers, though whether every member of the species is Force-sensitive remains unconfirmed.

This rarity of sightings within the Star Wars galaxy might indicate that Yoda's species is either exceptionally few in number or deliberately chooses to remain hidden. While we see them stepping into major historical events, they generally appear one individual at a time rather than in large groups. It is unclear whether these individuals represent most of the species or if a hidden community exists in the galaxy.

Enigma

Yoda's species stands as one of the greatest curiosities in Star Wars. Over the decades, audiences have watched Yoda, Yaddle, and Grogu demonstrate potent Force abilities and wisdom far exceeding their physical size. Yet, George Lucas and subsequent storytellers have preserved the mystique surrounding their origins, culture, and even their proper name.