In Rudyard Kipling’s “Mowgli’s Brothers,” Shere Khan is a tiger.
The story introduces Shere Khan as the main danger to the infant Mowgli, who is rescued by a wolf family after being lost in the jungle. Shere Khan claims that the human child belongs to him, but the wolf pack and the animals’ law reject that demand.
Kipling’s original portrayal differs from some later adaptations. Shere Khan is powerful and feared, but he is also described as physically disadvantaged because one of his legs is crippled. His weakness helps explain why he relies on intimidation and the support of Tabaqui, the jackal.
Disney’s 1967 animated film and 2016 live-action film both retain Shere Khan as a tiger, although their personalities, designs, voices, and story details differ from Kipling’s text. The character should not be confused with Bagheera, who is a black panther.