“The Jungle Book” is a classic collection of stories written by Rudyard Kipling in the late 1800s. The narrative centers around Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. Over the years, the book has been adapted into various films, each bringing its own interpretation of Kipling’s characters. Notable among these characters are Baloo, a bear; Bagheera, a leopard; and Shere Khan, a tiger. We even have representatives of these species here at Turpentine Creek!
Baloo
While “The Jungle Book” does not specify Baloo’s species, Kipling describes him as “the sleepy brown bear,” leading many to speculate that he is a sloth bear. Despite this, Baloo’s diet of “roots and nuts and honey” is somewhat inconsistent with that of sloth bears, who are known more for consuming termites and ants. Sloth bears will eat a variety of foods, though. In various adaptations, Baloo has been portrayed as different bear species, including the Asian black bear, American black bear, Himalayan brown bear, and Balochistan black bear. Consequently, his exact species remains ambiguous.
Baloo’s portrayal is notably accurate in his interactions with Shere Khan. Bears are known for their capability to defend themselves and their young against formidable predators like tigers. In the 2016 Disney live-action adaptation, a dialogue between Baloo and Bagheera clarifies the bear’s hibernation habits: “Bears don’t hibernate in the jungle,” Bagheera says, to which Baloo responds, “Well, not full hibernation. But I nap. A lot.” Which is a great clarification. Bears usually don’t hibernate, but enter a sort of halfway state called torpor, which is a lighter state of rest than full hibernation.
Bagheera
Bagheera is modeled after the Asian leopard and is frequently referred to as a black panther. The term “black panther” is used for melanistic leopards and jaguars. In both the book and its adaptations, Bagheera serves as Mowgli’s protector and mentor. He is depicted as a wise guide, aiding Mowgli in navigating the jungle and imparting crucial survival skills. Although he exhibits loyalty and wisdom, his character’s stern demeanor adds depth to his role.
While these attributes enhance the narrative, they do not accurately reflect real-life leopard behavior. Anthropomorphizing animals often leads to unrealistic portrayals of their capabilities and behaviors. Unlike the sociable and cooperative Bagheera, real leopards are solitary creatures, coming together only for mating or parenting.
However, Bagheera’s portrayal is true to real leopards in terms of his stealth, agility, and climbing prowess. Leopards are known for their exceptional climbing skills, which they use to remain safe, store food, rest, and survey their surroundings—traits that Bagheera exhibits frequently in his depictions.
At Turpentine Creek, we have our own Bagheera! Although he is a black jaguar rather than a black leopard, he embodies many of the same characteristics.
Shere Khan
Shere Khan is portrayed as a Bengal tiger, native to the Indian subcontinent. While the depiction of Shere Khan as a formidable and solitary predator is consistent with the behavior of real tigers, there are still some inaccuracies. In many adaptations, Shere Khan is characterized as a villain with a deep-seated hatred for humans. This portrayal is misleading, as tigers do not possess emotions such as hatred. They are instinct-driven animals that attack humans primarily when threatened or during hunting, not out of malice.
This portrayal contributes to harmful stereotypes and misconceptions, which can be detrimental to the conservation of tigers. As real tigers face threats from poaching and habitat destruction, it is crucial to foster accurate perceptions to aid their protection.
Sources:
https://wildlifesos.org/animals/get-to-know-your-indian-bears/