Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a young, energetic mongoose who finds himself living in a British family's bungalow in the Segowlee cantonment after surviving a flood. He possesses a strong natural instinct to fight snakes, viewing it as his honorable duty and family legacy. He quickly adapts to his new environment, eager to fulfill his ambition of becoming a proper house-mongoose while defending his adoptive human family from garden threats.

A massive male cobra who claims dominion over the garden. He relies heavily on his size and the cultural fear surrounding his species to intimidate other animals. He views the arrival of a house-mongoose as a direct obstacle to his control of the garden and plots with his wife to rid the bungalow of humans.

A female cobra who is highly dangerous and strategically cunning. She operates alongside her husband in the garden, often striking from the shadows or orchestrating complex ambushes. Her primary motivation is the protection of her eggs hidden in the melon bed, driving her to aggressively target the human family and their pet.

Teddy is a young British boy living with his parents in an Indian military cantonment bungalow. He is highly empathetic and enthusiastic, developing an immediate fondness for the wild mongoose they rescue. Because of his youth, Teddy represents a vulnerable target for the predatory wildlife lingering just outside the house.

A British man, likely affiliated with the military, residing in India with his family. He maintains a practical approach to household safety, trusting the mongoose's natural protective instincts over keeping a traditional guard dog. He is willing to use force to protect his household, keeping a stick and a shotgun accessible for emergencies.

The matriarch of the British family living in the bungalow. She initially harbors doubts about letting a wild mongoose roam freely indoors, fearing he might bite her son. She shows kindness by offering food and shelter, though she is easily overwhelmed by the dangers presented by the native wildlife.

A tailorbird who nests in the garden outside the bungalow. He is prone to composing songs and philosophizing rather than taking direct action during crises. Though he opposes the cobras, his paralyzing fear often makes him useless in a physical confrontation.

A sensible and practical female tailorbird. Unlike her easily distracted husband, she recognizes when direct action is required to ensure the safety of her remaining young. She uses clever tactics to manipulate her enemies and assists the mongoose when necessary.

A small, dusty brown snake living near the human habitation. He is highly venomous and dangerous because his size allows him to blend easily into his surroundings. He serves as an immediate, aggressive physical threat to the household.

A cowardly muskrat who shares the house with the human family. He lives in constant fear of both the resident mongoose and the snakes outside, never venturing into the center of a room. Despite his intense timidity, his sharp senses allow him to detect approaching dangers.