The Sentinelese and other indigenous Andamanese peoples are frequently described as negritos, a term which has been applied to various widely separated peoples in Southeast Asia, such as the Semang of the Malay Peninsula, the Aeta of thePhilippines archipelago, as well as to other peoples in Australia including former populations of Tasmania. The defining characteristics of these "negrito" peoples (who are not a monophyletic group) include a comparatively short stature, dark skin and afro-textured hair.
Although no close contacts have been established, author Heinrich Harrer described one man as being 1.6 metres (5 ft 3 in) tall and apparently left-handed.