The Forest Moon of Endor was home to a type of bat known as thunder bats, classified as a species. During 3 ABY, Paploo and Wicket Wystri Warrick, two Ewoks living on Endor, were engaged in a game called drop-the-sack, where they tried to drop a mud-filled sack on their companion, Teebo. Warrick's errant throw resulted in the mud hitting his aunt, Bozzie, instead of Teebo, leading Paploo to explain to Bozzie that a large group of thunder bats had thrown the mud.
The animated TV show Ewoks first referenced thunder bats in its initial episode, "The Cries of the Trees." This episode, written by Paul Dini, was initially broadcast on September 7, 1985.