A young human child, named for his lack of hair, raised by a wolf pack in the Seeonee hills. He possesses human intelligence but learns the strict rules of the jungle, putting him in a unique position between the human and animal worlds. He is playful and rebellious but also fiercely attached to his animal guardians.

A sleek panther who serves as a wise protector to Mowgli. Born in captivity among humans, he understands human ways better than most jungle animals. This background gives him distinct insight into how the boy will eventually mature.

A fearsome tiger born with a lame foot, forcing him to opportunistically hunt cattle and humans rather than wild game. His actions draw unwanted human attention to the jungle, making him a dangerous nuisance. He is greedy and refuses to respect the established rules of animal society.

A young mongoose rescued by an English family in India. He quickly takes on the role of their protector, settling into the bungalow. He patrols the garden actively to keep the human inhabitants safe from venomous threats.

A wise, old bear who teaches the rules of the jungle to the wolf cubs. He takes Mowgli as his student, utilizing strict instructional methods to ensure the boy memorizes protective phrases. Despite his gruff teaching style, he cares deeply for his pupil's safety.

The gray Lone Wolf who leads his pack through strength and wisdom. Having survived being trapped by humans in his youth, he understands the danger they pose. As he ages, his authority is challenged by younger wolves manipulated by predators.

A young white seal who grows disturbed after witnessing hunters on the beaches. Unlike his peers who accept the danger, his unique perspective drives him on a quest to find a safe haven for his species.

A massive cobra who terrorizes the garden's other inhabitants alongside his mate. He considers himself the rightful king of the property and plots to kill the human family to secure the area.

A cunning cobra and Nag's mate. Driven by fierce instincts to protect her unhatched eggs, she is highly dangerous and determined to rid the garden of humans.

A young Indian child and the son of an elephant driver. He idolizes white commanders and dreams of taking on a more adventurous, authoritative role in the wild rather than just driving domesticated animals.

An old elephant whose name means "black snake." With decades of service in the military, he is fearless in war and acts with almost human-like discipline.

Also known as Mother Wolf and named "the demon" for her ferocity, she is Mowgli's adoptive parent. She is fiercely protective of her den and immediately charmed by the fearless human baby who pushes his way in alongside her pups.

A wolf of the Seeonee hills who respects the established laws of his environment. He stands by his mate in refusing to hand over the human child to the trespassing tiger.

A scavenging jackal who acts as an informant for Shere Khan. The other animals despise him for his sycophantic nature and fear him because he is prone to illness, representing disgraceful behavior in the wild.

A massive python capable of climbing trees and hypnotizing his prey with a specialized dance. Though terrifying to most jungle creatures, he maintains a courteous demeanor when approached for help.

A wealthy woman in the human village who takes an interest in the newly arrived Mowgli. She offers him shelter and food, believing he resembles her lost son who was taken by a tiger years prior.

The village hunter who tells tall tales about ghosts and animal spirits. He is greedy for the tiger's bounty and quickly becomes suspicious of Mowgli's unusual connection to the wild.

Kotick's father and a battle-hardened seal. He adheres strictly to the traditional ways of his species, believing that fighting for crowded territory is a matter of pride.

Kotick's mother, a pragmatic seal who cares for her uniquely white son. She teaches him the ways of the ocean but eventually urges him to settle down into normal adult life.

An Aleut human seal hunter. He is highly superstitious and refuses to touch the white seal, mistakenly believing the animal is the ghost of a drowned comrade.

A young English boy living with his parents in an Indian bungalow. He quickly forms a bond with his rescued mongoose, treating the wild creature as a beloved companion.

Teddy's caring mother. Initially anxious that the wild mongoose might bite her son, she slowly learns to trust the animal as it proves its loyalty to her family.

Teddy's father, an English man who recognizes the practical value of having a mongoose to protect his family from venomous snakes.

A tailor-bird who lives in the bungalow's garden. He is easily distracted and quick to sing triumphant songs, but he provides crucial warnings about snake ambushes.

A practical tailor-bird who assists the garden's protector by feigning a broken wing to lure a dangerous cobra away from its nest.

Little Toomai's father and an elephant driver for the Anglo-Indian army. He is content with his modest position and worries that his son's ambitions will lead to danger.

A skilled commander in charge of all elephant-catching operations for the government. He serves as an idol for Little Toomai and possesses unparalleled knowledge of animal behavior.

An intelligent elephant in the Anglo-Indian army. He understands the mechanics of artillery shells, making him fear battle more than the oblivious draft animals around him.

An older mule used to pull cannons in the military. He values strict discipline and looks down on the wilder, less organized beasts in the camp.