Bantha / Legends Banthas were sturdy and easily domesticated mammals used as beasts of burden that were found all over the galaxy . The common bantha , or Bantha majorus , was the most commonly known species , with the other subspecies considered generally rare . Anatomy . The bantha was one of the most adaptable herbivorous creatures in the galaxy and could be found on several worlds including Tatooine . They were able to survive in almost any extremes of environment and could go without food or water for several weeks . Although bantha subspecies had diverged from their baseline ancestors , most shared similar characteristics . They were quadrupeds that were covered with long , shaggy fur and had large curved horns . A common bantha adult ( " Bantha majorus " ) was between two and three meters tall and could weigh up to 4 , 000 kilos . Their lifespan was between 80 and 100 years and they reached sexual maturity at the age of 20 . Some sentient species had been known to ride banthas , such as Tusken Raiders . Bulls tended to be larger than the cows and both genders grew a pair of spiral horns . Most female banthas achieved just a single spiral during their lifetimes , while a male could achieve two full spirals before its death . The distinctive spiral horns of the bantha grew at the rate of a knob each year . Thickness and condition of the horns were an indication of the bantha ' s health and environment . Bulls fought each other by butting heads in ritual combat . The spirals on their horns could cause the pair to become entangled , which almost always meant death for both banthas , as the pair would soon collapse from exhaustion and eventually succumb to death by dehydration . Banthas used their dexterous , sensitive tongue , as a sort of hand used in pulling up grass and shrubs from the ground . Also located on the tongue were breathing and scent spiracles . Male banthas also raised their tongue as a way to signal their readiness to mate . Banthas traveled in herds of up to twenty - five individuals , led by the oldest , strongest female . A herd which grew too large was split , with the second oldest and strongest female taking the new herd . The gestation period was 30 months and the newborn ' s birth weight was about 50 kilograms . Female banthas produced blue milk from mammary glands that was consumed by sentients as a drink . Bantha dung was another useful byproduct of the species , as it smoldered for a significant amount of time , and was used by the Tuskens as cooking fuel . Banthas had three - nailed hooves that were typically trimmed by their owners . Banthas were harvested for their meat by workers or were put in animal nurseries for long - term sustained harvesting on multiple worlds . Subspecies . The bantha was domesticated on most worlds and were used for pulling heavy loads , transportation and even as war beasts . The meat and hide of the bantha were much sought - after . While the origins of the bantha were unknown , every world on which it existed laid claim to it as being its homeworld . There were at least three distinct subspecies found on the planet Tatooine : the " common bantha " , the " dwarf bantha " , and the " dune bantha " . Noted for their docility , the dwarf race ( also referred to as " miniature banthas " ) made amiable pets , as in the case of Ebenn Q3 Baobab ' s companion , Nuke . Another additional subspecies , the Kashyyyk bantha , was suitably adapted for life on the Wookiee homeworld and the Kilian Bantha was adapted for living in the mountainous regions of Kilia IV . Feral banthas were also found on Talasea where they developed an aggressive personality and roamed the forested world at will , attacking anything that crossed its path . Swamp bantha s were brought to Ohma - D ' un to help colonize the moon . Banthas of Tatooine . The bantha was an integral part of Tusken culture on Tatooine . When a Tusken Raider child reached the age of seven he or she was ceremonially presented with a bantha of the same age as a companion - for - life . The youth learned to care for the creature , and the two built a mystical bond . When the bantha reached maturity , the male Tusken Raider would saddle his companion and ride it into the desert for adult initiation ceremonies . When Tuskens married , the couple ' s banthas would also mate . Often , the resulting calf would be of the same gender as the Tusken child . The banthas of Tatooine were known to form deep bonds with the Tusken Raiders of the planet and often committed suicide if their riders were to die first . Banthas that died naturally were placed in vast graveyards , which other banthas treated with a kind of ceremonial reverence . Behind the scenes . In the original version of " " , the bantha was played by a trained named Mardji in a fur costume . In some cases , Mardji ' s trunk can be barely visible beneath the bantha costume . Re - releases and the prequel trilogy featured digital banthas . Their vocalizations were also done with a slowed - down bear ' s roar . In 1997 , Galoob released the first - ever licensed toy bantha as part of its Action Fleet line of micro - sized toys . In 1998 , Kenner made an action figure - scaled bantha . A reissue with different fur and figures came out in 2007 . For " The Star Wars Holiday Special " , a toy bantha was created , although it was never released as a toy to the public . Banthas appear in the video game " " . The player cannot control the bantha directly , but by hopping onto one using any other humanoid character , the bantha can be put to their use . Banthas in the game are extremely slow , and if you hop on one in the level in which they appear , Tusken Raiders come and attack the player . " " and " " assign the rank " bantha fodder " to the player who dies the most on the battlefield . The word " bantha " was capitalized in official publications up through at least the first edition of the " Guide to the Star Wars Universe " in 1984 .