The tusk cat was a predatory feline of a fawn color, indigenous to both the planet Naboo and its satellite, Rori.
Tusk cats were sizable feline predators, characterized by a prominent pair of tusks that grew from their lower mandibles. This anatomical feature contrasted with the more typical placement of tusks in other tusked animals, which usually sprouted from the upper jaw. In addition to these, a secondary, less noticeable set of fleshy, tusk-like appendages were present on their cheekbones. Their fur exhibited a range of colors, from browns and grays to near-red hues, with gray individuals displaying subtle spotted patterns. They possessed some characteristics akin to ungulates, such as a swift, galloping gait and toes that ended in hoof-like structures. Certain smaller subspecies displayed digits that were more claw-like, along with variations in the quantity of tusk-like facial wattles. Their tails were long and muscular, serving as a counterbalance during running, and terminated in a leaf-shaped spur. They were known for their acute vision and heightened sense of smell. They bore a resemblance to the larger Naboo predator, the narglatch.
As carnivores, tusk cats hunted smaller animals native to Naboo. They were naturally inclined to herd, forming lifelong pair bonds and instinctively establishing small family groups, or prides, to protect herds of shaak and gualama, consuming one of these animals approximately every week. Their tusks served a dual purpose: offensive weapons for hunting and defensive tools.
Prides typically comprised a mated pair and their offspring. Upon reaching maturity, young males would leave the pride to seek out their own mates. Males located their female partners through the use of scent.
Despite their aggressive predatory nature, tusk cat cubs could be readily domesticated and even used as mounts, though they retained the capacity to revert to a wild state if released.
Notwithstanding their predatory instincts, the human inhabitants of Naboo were able to tame tusk cats for various purposes, most notably as riding animals. Domesticated tusk cats were known to exhibit a natural protective and gentle demeanor towards Naboo human children. Human riders of tusk cats were employed as herders for various livestock, including domesticated shaak and the royal gualama herd. Tusk cats also functioned as military patrol vehicles for the human Naboo military, recreational attractions, police animals, and ceremonial beasts for Naboo human royalty. When equipping a tusk cat as a mount, the traditional bridle was replaced by a harness that was attached to the tusks. During the Victory Races of Naboo, Queen Padmé Amidala rode a tusk cat. The tusks of deceased tusk cats were commonly carved into memorial cups and displayed by humans.
Following the Battle of Naboo, tusk cats were among the many creatures transported off-world as pets due to the increasing demand for Naboo pets among spacers.
Following the Battle of Yavin, Doctor Maldien engaged in illicit and extremely hazardous bioengineering experiments within a laboratory on Corellia, with the objective of creating highly aggressive and intelligent creatures. This included genetically engineered tusk cats.
Tusk cats are featured both as wild animals and as mounts for the Naboo cavalry units in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns, where they substitute for the kaadu found in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds.