Gnaw jaws, also referenced as gnaw-jaws, were a species of six-legged, non-sentient insects found on the desert planet of Jakku. These carnivorous creatures, measuring roughly one-third of a meter long, possessed chitinous plates covering their bodies and resided in underground warrens, emerging only during the night. Known to hunt and howl in groups, gnaw jaws typically targeted warm-blooded animals, generally steering clear of humans unless they were vulnerable or asleep. The scavenger Rey documented them in her survival guide, recommending that those camping in the desert at night create a perimeter of barium to deter gnaw jaws.
The first simultaneous mention of gnaw-jaws occurred in both Greg Rucka's junior novel Before the Awakening and Jason Fry's replica journal Rey's Survival Guide. Both were published on December 18, 2015, coinciding with the film's release.