Iranian snipers in full camouflage take part in the Army Day parade in Tehran on 18 March 2009. Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images
Over the weekend Iranian snipers marched in the annual Army Day parade in Tehran in full camouflage, looking less like crack combatants and more like Wookiee extras from a forgotten Star Wars spin-off. So how do you tell the difference?
Iranian army sniper
When and where: now, Iran.
Planet of origin: Earth.
Language: Persian, officially.
Average height: approximately 5ft 8in, without haystack suit.
Weapon of choice: the sniper rifle, presumably, although pictured holding the rather less precise AK-47 assault rifle for some reason.
Strategic advantages: concealment. Would be virtually invisible, for example, at a Star Wars convention, or in a vat of angel hair pasta.
Also sometimes confused with: Cruella De Vil after dry cleaning mishap; a compost heap.
Wookiee
When and where: a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Planet of origin: Kashyyyk.
Language: Shyriiwook, a system of barks, groans and gargling.
Average height: 6ft 11in (the actor who played Chewbacca, Peter Mayhew, stood at 7ft 3in).
Weapon of choice: the bowcaster, a crossbow firing magnetically accelerated projectiles, according to online resource Wookieepedia.
Strategic advantages: strong, readily lends itself to merchandising.
Also sometimes confused with: the cowardly lion from The Wizard of Oz; Brian Blessed.
