The Utai were one of two humanoid species native to the sinkhole world of Utapau, located in the Tarabba sector of the Outer Rim Territories. A stocky species with long eyestalks, the Utai willingly allowed the Pau'an species to rule over them on their homeworld, serving as menial laborers in the sinkhole cities and caverns of their homeworld. Unlike their neighbors, the Utai had comparatively short life-spans, earning them the nickname "Shorts."