Aiwha

For other uses, see whale.

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Aiwhas, also called air whales, were a non-sentient species of winged cetaceans native to the planet Kamino. They were used as mounts by the Kaminoans. Kaminoans were derogatorily referred to as "aiwha-bait" by the clone troopers.

Biology and appearance

"That uniform suits you about as well as a hat on an aiwha."

―Kan Be to Terex^[5]

An aiwha fitted with a riding saddle

Massive, winged cetaceans,^[2] aiwhas were a species of whale^[3] native to the oceans and skies of the planet Kamino. This non-sentient species,^[1] one of a wide variety of aquatic lifeforms on Kamino,^[6] was also known as the "air whale," and was known to be peaceful and majestic.^[7] Being both capable swimmers and fliers,^[2] the aiwha utilized their flippers as wings, and vice versa, to propel them through the sea or sky. Their long, slightly down-turned, beak-like mouths were filled with baleen used for filtering krill and other tiny prey from mouthfuls of seawater.^[3] Aiwhas gave out bleating cries when dying.^[8]

History

"We've got to stop meeting like this, my friend."

―Obi-Wan Kenobi, saved by an Aiwha for the second time^[9]

As the climate of Kamino changed drastically, leading to planet-wide flooding as the ice caps melted, the native Kaminoans adapted both themselves and some of their fellow creatures—such as the aiwha—to the changing environment by utilizing their advanced cloning technologies, becoming biological curiosities as mounts to traverse Kamino's^[10] endless oceans.^[7] When harsh weather battered the surface,^[2] riders traveled beneath the waves; in this way, the versatility of the aiwha enabled riders to avoid the lashing tempests of severe electrical storms, which raged for much of the planet's year.^[11]

During the Battle of Kamino, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi hitched a ride on an aiwha while investigating the planet's Separatist attackers,^[2] and was rescued twice during the battle by the creature.^[7]^[9] During the search for the rogue clone trooper CT-5555 "Fives," teams rode atop aiwhas to track-down the fugitive.^[12]^[10]

Behind the scenes

"The air whale ("aiwha") was something George Lucas was trying to get into Star Wars as far back as Empire, where they would have flown over Bespin. In ROTJ, they would have flown over Sicemon, a grassland planet. For Episode I, the Gungans would have flown them on Naboo."

―Pablo Hidalgo^[13]

Concept art for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi — Concept art for *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*

The aiwha first appeared in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. The concept of an "air whale" was first created by Ralph McQuarrie, for use on the planet Bespin in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, although budget limitations saw their use postponed.^[10] They were later intended to serve as flying whale taxis for the world of Sicemon in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, and though they likewise didn't appear in that film, Star Wars Legends material utilized the concept as the thranta. Terryl Whitlatch redesigned the creatures as Gungan mounts for Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, calling them "aiwha" as a derivation of "air whale." The creatures were again cut from the movie, and ultimately appeared on Kamino in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.^[14]