Qiilura was the planet of origin for merlies, which were non-sentient beings native to the world. These creatures, sometimes called "distressingly intelligent animals," were frequently raised by farmers in the area for the purposes of obtaining milk, meat, and wool. Typically, merlies stood almost a meter tall when measured at the shoulder, and their bodies were covered with lengthy brown ringlets made of wool. Their eyes were green, and observers once commented that they were "disturbingly Human". It was common practice to allow merlies inside the homes of their owners, especially in the winter months when they served as a source of warmth. However, the main reason was to safeguard them from being hunted by gdans. Furthermore, their strong scent acted as an insect repellent. The sounds they produced could be described as an "intermittent gargling noise".