The species had two known sexes: male and female. Members of the species were small in size, roughly comparable to that of a human child, with green skin, large eyes, and long pointed ears. Their three-fingered hands ended in claws. The species were suggested to mostly have a carnivorous diet, with a preference towards catching and devouring live amphibians whole. Their ears were expressive, curling, and unfurling in accordance with their emotions.

Members of the species were capable of growing thin hair, with shades varying from auburn to white being documented, females having longer and thicker hair than males. The species had a very long life expectancy, spanning at least several centuries; Yoda lived nearly a thousand years before dying of old age, and they aged very slowly, remaining in infancy for at least fifty standard years. Even at this stage of life, certain Force-sensitive individuals of this species could use Force powers such as telekinesis and Force healing; they were also capable of complex thought processes, and could understand speech and communicate via the Force at this age. Despite their slow aging for the first five decades of life, members of the species generally reached maturity by their hundredth year.

Due to the rarity of the species in the wider galaxy, little was known about them except that the species was ancient and shrouded in mystery. Members of the species were capable of speaking Galactic Basic Standard, although Yoda used a distinctive and archaic syntax.