Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Heroic snake-killing mammal
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a mongoose character from Rudyard Kipling's *The Jungle Book* (1894), celebrated for killing cobras to protect his adopted human family.
The name, meant to evoke mongoose sounds, has become shorthand for a small but fierce defender: She was the rikki-tikki-tavi of the legal team, taking on opponents twice her size.
Victorian jungle storyteller
- RudyardVictorian author's given name
- IndiaSouth Asian republic
- fableMoral tale with animals
- children's literatureBooks aimed at youth
bungalow · garden · cobra · battle · colonial · British India · tale · classic
Hooded venomous serpent
- snakeLimbless scaled reptile
- fightPhysical or verbal conflict
- battleArmed military engagement
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
strike · dodge · kill · victory · fangs · venom · eggs · nest
Kipling
Victorian jungle storyteller
children's literature · bungalow · garden · cobra · battle · colonial · British India · tale · classic · Victorian
cobra
Hooded venomous serpent
duel · strike · dodge · kill · victory · fangs · venom · eggs · nest · destroy
nimble
Quick and light-moving
fearless · quick · agile · predator · small · fierce · whiskers · tail · teeth · claws
guardian
Protective caretaker of another
household · family · loyal · vigilant · sentinel · shield · savior · devoted · brave · selfless
- KiplingMowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Shere Khan, The Jungle Book
- Jungle TalesMowgli, Baloo, Kipling, talking animals, wolf pack
- Famous AnimalsScooby-Doo, Bambi, Dumbo, Clifford, Snoopy
Rikki-Tikki-Tavicobra
Hooded venomous serpent
king cobra · snake · serpent · venomous snake · prey