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Banthas are creatures in the fictional Star Wars universe. On the planet of Tatooine, they are commonly used as pack animals by the Tusken Raiders. Banthas are characterized by their size, their thick brown hair and their spiral-shaped horns. They resemble large bison-like bovines with the horns of a ram and long hair like a wooly mammoth.

The Tusken Raiders have a special bond with their bantha mount. When a Tusken Raider comes of age, it is paired with a Bantha of the same age and gender and the two form a special bond that lasts throughout their lifetime. When two Tusken Raiders wed, their Banthas also mate. If a Tusken Raider dies and its bantha does not (or vice versa), the survivor will often go into a powerful fit of rage and depression and will often attempt to commit suicide or walk off into the desert to die.

Banthas are found throughout the galaxy -- a phenomenon that has yet to be explained. This intriguing distribution has warranted the growth of a religion centered on the bantha -- the Dim-U monks worship these mysterious creatures. The Tusken Raiders also regard the Bantha as sacred.

During a speeder chase on Coruscant, a passenger who closely resembles Sebulba (but is apparently a relative) barely misses a collision and exclaims "pudu!", similar to the expression "Shit!" expressing similar situations.

Clearly, Banthas are popular and much-loved creatures in the Star Wars universe because Chewbacca's son Lumpy can be seen to own a soft toy Bantha in The Star Wars Holiday Special, which he gives much affection.

Bantha meat and milk are common food items, and bantha-hide boots, jackets, and other wares are quite popular.

Banthas apparently originated on Rhen Var, which was once a lush jungle paradise.

Banthas are herbivores. They have a long,prehensile tongue that they use to grab food, as well as to smell.

A common insult in the Star Wars universe is when someone is referred to as "bantha pudu", Huttese for "bantha fodder". Actually, "bantha fodder" is a euphemism used in subtitles, which are read by ratings boards. In the Episode II one novelization, Shmi Skywalker finds a "pile of bantha pudu" inside the perimeter of her farm: it is clear that an accurate translation is "bantha feces".

When referring to a possibly fruitless or overly-exerting task, the term "wild bantha chase" may substituted in the Star Wars universe. This term is first used by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith when referring to his assignment of dispatching General Grievous on Utapau.

Easily domesticated, bantha are used as pack animals on many planets throughout the galaxy. While normally docile, feral banthas, like those found on Talasea, are quite dangerous. Their sharp horns and trampling feet can pose a danger if the beasts are startled or agitated and so on....

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• In 2005, an obscure parody album, "Tusken Raider Tunes, Parody Songs from a Galaxy Far Far Away" was released featuring a parody song, "Oh Bantha" by John O'Hurley, which was sung to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree"
• The term Bantha Fodder is used extensively as an 'honor' to the person most killed in a game in the Star Wars Battlefront series.
• The term Soggy Bantha is commonly used as a fun nickname for a Hairy Buffalo; an alcoholic drink served at MC's Dugout in St. Cloud, MN.
• Banthas are referenced in the popular MMORPG World of Warcraft; there is an elite clefthoof mob named Banthar in the zone of Nagrand.