The mantabog, an extinct species by approximately 9 ABY, was originally native to the planet Malastare. This creature was among those showcased at the Holographic Museum of Extinct Animals located on Coruscant. During that year, a cabbie droid transporting Doctor Penn Pershing from the Galaxies Opera House to Amnesty Housing on Coruscant suggested that the doctor, a newcomer to the world, visit the museum for a [day](/article/standard_day] trip, as the droid had been captivated by several of the displayed animals. The droid started to describe the mantabog to Pershing, but their conversation was cut short by their arrival at their destination.
Within current Star Wars canon, the mantabog received a mention in "Chapter 19: The Convert," the third episode of The Mandalorian's third season on Disney+, broadcasted on March 15, 2023. Previously, the creature appeared in the Star Wars Legends continuity, specifically in Coruscant and the Core Worlds, a 2003 sourcebook for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game by Wizards of the Coast.