Ahsoka Tano is a well-loved character from the Star Wars franchise, first introduced in the animated feature film “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and its subsequent television series. Over the years, Ahsoka has grown in importance, becoming one of the central figures in the Star Wars expanded universe. A question often asked about Ahsoka Tano is, what race or species is she?
Ahsoka Tano’s Species
Ahsoka Tano is a Togruta, a humanoid species from the planet Shili in the Star Wars universe. Togruta are recognizable by their large montrals and head-tails, which are brightly coloured with a pattern unique to each individual.
Characteristics of the Togruta Species
Togrutas are distinguished by their head-tails and large montrals, which extend from their skulls. These features are not just for show; they serve a crucial biological function. The montrals and head-tails of a Togruta are sensory organs, allowing them to perceive the movement of physical objects around them through echolocation, giving them a form of spatial sense.
The skin colour of the Togruta can range from red to orange, and their montrals and head-tails are usually white with blue or white stripes. Ahsoka Tano, for example, has orange skin with white and blue striped montrals and head-tails.
Their colourful appearance serves a practical purpose as well. On their home planet of Shili, the vibrant colours help Togrutas blend in with the planet’s colourful vegetation and fauna, providing natural camouflage against predators.
Ahsoka Tano and the Togruta Culture
Ahsoka Tano’s character not only portrays the physical attributes of the Togruta species but also reflects some aspects of their culture. Togruta are known to be a very social species and prefer to work in groups. Similarly, Ahsoka, despite her early years of isolation as a Jedi away from her home, often works best in a team and displays a deep sense of loyalty to her friends and allies.
Featured image: Disney/Lucasfilm
