Monongs were creatures known for being hairy. In an effort to infiltrate a Gozanti-class cruiser belonging to the Imperial forces, and while feigning participation in slavery, Hera Syndulla at one point likened a Wookiee to a "monong that was oversized."
Lieutenant Currahee, while instructing a collection of inexperienced Imperial cadets, called them "monongs infested with fleas."
The first mention of monongs occurred in Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion, which was the initial one-hour episode of the animated TV show Star Wars Rebels. Initially, in the movie's original script, Syndulla had used the word "ape." This was subsequently altered to momong, a primate-like species originating from Wasskah, which had previously appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Finally, in the script's ultimate form, "momong" was transformed into "monong," thereby introducing a new species.