Hesten were a species of large-eared primate that inhabited the planet known as Balnab. It was common for these creatures to be ensnared in nets set by stranded individuals on the planet. The Hesten's fur was characterized by its distinctive white and blue coloration. Possessing a total of six limbs, they had four arms, each terminating in a hand with three elongated fingers. Similarly, their feet were composed of three toes each.
The initial appearance of the Hesten occurred in the episode "Nomad Droids," although their identification was not established until the episode's guide was published on the official StarWars.com website. Their designation pays homage to the actor Charlton Heston, acknowledging his involvement in the 1968 motion picture, Planet of the Apes. The tee-muss-riding Balnab's attempt to capture the Hesten mirrors similar sequences found within that film.