The Jungle Book Characters

Bagheera is a black panther who lives in Mowgli’s jungle. Along with Baloo, Bagheera claims Mowgli as one of his own so that he gains admittance into the Pack. Additionally, when the Bandar-log kidnap Mowgli, Bagheera helps rescue him.

The Bandar-log are a group of monkeys that kidnap Mowgli because they want him to be their leader. The Bandar-log is the only group of animals that doesn’t abide by the Law of the Jungle. They are vain animals that think they are clever but never actually accomplish anything.

Nag is a cunning and intelligent cobra with special markings on his hood. He lives in Teddy’s garden and is married to Nagaina. He dreams of raising his young in the garden but dies after a fight with Rikki-tikki-tavi and Teddy’s father.

Nagaina is a cobra who is married to Nag. Like Nag, she is intelligent and scheming. She hopes to raise her young in Teddy’s garden but knows that cannot happen until she gets rid of Rikki-tikki-tavi. In the climax of the story, Rikki-tikki-tavi kills Nagaina and smashes her eggs.

Big Toomai works for the Indian government and is in charge of overseeing the elephants. He does not want his son, Little Toomai, to become an elephant catcher because it is a dangerous job.

Little Toomai spends his days working alongside his father, Big Toomai. He has a love for elephants and dreams of becoming an elephant catcher. His dream comes true after he witnesses an elephant dance at night while on the back of Kala Nag.

Mother Wolf takes Mowgli in and raises him as one of her own after finding him in the jungle. She deeply cares for Mowgli and stays loyal to him throughout his life.

Father Wolf takes Mowgli in and raises him as one of his own after finding him in the jungle. He deeply cares for Mowgli and stays loyal to him throughout his life.

Akela is the leader of the Pack in Mowgli’s jungle. As Mowgli grows up, Akela gets slower and older, causing him to lose a lot of his influence in the Pack.

Messua is a kind woman who lives in the village near Mowgli’s jungle. She takes Mowgli in when he decides to live among other humans, and she is likely his real mother.

Grey Brother is one of Father Wolf and Mother Wolf’s children. He stays loyal to Mowgli even while Mowgli lives among the humans and feeds him updates about what is going on in the jungle.

Buldeo is a hunter who tries to steal Shere Khan’s pelt from Mowgli. He tells everyone in his village that Mowgli is a sorcerer, leading to Mowgli’s exile from the village.

Sea Catch is a seal who is married to Matkah and is the father of Kotick. He is a great fighter.

Matkah is a seal who is the wife of Sea Catch and the mother of Kotick.

Sea Vitch is a walrus who Kotick talks to while looking for a seal sanctuary.

Teddy is a young, British child who lives in British India. He saves Rikki-tikki-tavi after a flood and brings him home to his parents.

Teddy’s father is a British man living in British India. He is happy when Teddy brings Rikki-tikki-tavi home because he knows that Rikki-tikki-tavi will fend off snakes.

Teddy’s mother is a British woman living in British India. At first, she is not sure about Rikki-tikki-tavi, but she comes to love him after he saves her son’s life.

Kala Nag is an elderly elephant who hauls timber for the Indian government. At night, he sneaks off to the jungle to perform an elephant dance with his fellow elephant laborers.

Darzee is a bird who lives in the garden at Teddy’s house. Darzee hates Nag because Nag killed one of his young.

Chuchundra is a muskrat who warns Rikki-tikki-tavi that Nag and Nagaina plan to hurt Teddy and his family.

Darzee’s wife is a bird who helps distract Nagaina while Rikki-tikki-tavi smashes her eggs.

Shiv—also known as Shiva the Preserver—is a Hindu god responsible for ensuring everyone is properly fed and has a good job.

Parbati is Shiv’s wife. She tries to trick Shiv but cannot because Shiv is all-seeing and all-knowing.

The Viceroy of India is a British official who rules over all British affairs in India. He meets with the Amir of Afghanistan in “Her Majesty’s Servants.”

The Amir of Afghanistan is the Afghani head of state. He meets with the Viceroy of India in “Her Majesty’s Servants.”

The camel is a military animal who is present in Rawalpindi. Some of the other animals think he is a coward.

Billy is a mule who gets annoyed with the camel and argues with the calvary horse after the cavalry horse mocks him for his mixed heritage.

The calvary horse is the cockiest of the animals at Rawalpindi. He trusts his human master above all else.

Two Tails is an elephant who calms down Billy and the calvary horse when they get into a fight about Billy’s heritage.

Vixen is a dog who runs around the camp in Rawalpindi and regularly barks, which frightens the other animals.

The Amir’s Officer talks to the Viceroy’s Officer about the British-Indian army. He is impressed by how well-ordered everything is.

The Viceroy’s Officer talks to the Amir’s Officer about the British-Indian army. He mocks the Amir’s Officer because he thinks Afghanistan does not know how to control its people.

Tabaqui is the jackal who tells Father Wolf that Shere Khan is hunting outside of his normal territory.

Rann is the bird who informs Baloo and Bagheera that the Bandar-log kidnapped Mowgli.

Kaa is a snake who helps Bagheera and Baloo rescue Mowgli from the Bandar-log.

Petersen Sahib is the leader of the elephant catchers in Little Toomai’s region.

Karait is a venomous snake who tries to attack Teddy.