Species:Bantha

Star Wars History: From Exar Kun to Luke Skywalker and beyond

Bantha

These large, four-legged, elephant-like animals have adapted to a variety of climates. Banthas are not only found on the planet Tatooine but are located on a few other worlds. Males mount a pair of huge, curling, tapering horns that grow to 3 meters wide at the base. They are herbivours, and due to their build, they can survive a month without eating or drinking. Their skin and fur are prized for clothing while their meat is known for its taste. Bantha-skin items bring in huge amounts of credits anywhere in the galaxy.

On Tatooine there are three subspecies of banthas: Common Bantha, Dwarf Bantha, and the Dune Bantha. They use their tongues to uproot shrubs. Also, there are breathing and scenting spiracles on the tongue. During ritual fighting, the horns of males could become entangled, which meant death in most cases. The herd of banthas was led by the oldest and strongest female, rather than the male. The average lifetime of a bantha is 80 years.

The Tusken Raiders have a ritual that they are bonded with their personal bantha. If the bantha dies, they are required to go into the desert in hopes of being "adopted" by a wild bantha. If the rider died, the bantha would commit suicide.

References:

Sansweet, Stephen J. Star Wars Encyclopedia. (1998). Del Rey Books.

TheForce.net (2004).