Bergruutfas are known for both their size and their mild temperament. Known to grow upwards of seven meters tall, the lumbering giants are perfect for traversing the treacherous terrain of their world. They are forceful enough to move encroaching vegetation from paths, but are also surefooted.

They are incredibly calm and patient, and have been known to not even deign to take notice of other jungle animals around them; they have such thick armor plating all over their bodies that most attacks are completely ineffective, causing no damage whatsoever. This armor is also thick enough to stop the blaster bolts of many hand weapons, making them quite suitable as war beasts. When they do get angry, however, they are quite dangerous and there are few handportable weapons that can stop them.

The animals show keen intelligence, and even a sense of humor. They learn their names and commands easily; they can often be sent off to do simple tasks without direct supervision. As farm animals, war beasts and caravan animals, they excel; they are also excellent guard beasts, being quite capable of stopping most intruders with a loud grunt and a simple head butt. As for their sense of humor, they have been known to "hide" objects belonging to their riders and then physically use the bulk of their bodies to prevent their masters from finding the pilfered object. They are also playful, but considering their bulk sometimes their playful "rough-housing" borders on the downright dangerous.

Bergruutfa are quite intelligent and affectionate, and are known to bond with their riders. Bergruutfa that are domesticated behave much like herds in the wild, protecting the young and feeble, and often gathering food for the weaker members of the herd. If they are well-cared for, their masters are often treated as if they too were part of the herd. This loyalty has been extremely beneficial for the many primitive tribes of Teloc Ol-sen. Bergruutfas have been exported to many other primitive worlds for similar purposes; it is known that several Rebel Alliance bases use the animals for patrols.

Their coloration ranges from light brown to dark green, but during winter seasons their coloring lightens considerably. Young are almost always brown when they are born.

In the wild, they travel in herds of upwards of 150 beasts, although most herds seldom exceed 30 or 40 adults and the accompanying calves (normally about a dozen for a herd that large). They feed on the rich vegetation of their world, relishing the fruits, nuts, branches and leaves of the countless plants to be found in their native regions. They consume immense quantities of vegetation and can strip whole forests in short order. As adults, they have no natural predators in the wild but neither do they hunt animals - they seem to peacefully coexist with other creatures in the wild. Young bergruutfas are hunted by large predators on Teloc Ol-sen, but often other herd member adults are around to protect them.

One quite noticeable thing about bergruutfas is that they produce an inordinately large amount of saliva; as with many other animals, their saliva is a digestive aid while their massive jaws grind the plants. However, bergrnutfas are known to leave large pools of their saliva in their wake. While this does not bother those who are experienced with the animals, it is somewhat perturbing to many off-worlders when they first encounter the animals - and presents a very real hazard in combat situations.