The Story of Doctor Dolittle characters

Appears from the start

A kind physician in the English town of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. He fills his home with animals until his human patients stop coming, then learns animal language from Polynesia and becomes an animal doctor. His curiosity, generosity, and willingness to help creatures in danger lead him far from home.

Appears from the start

Doctor Dolittle's practical sister and housekeeper. She objects to the growing collection of animals in the house and worries about the loss of his human patients and income.

First appears in chapter 2

A parrot who knows many animal languages and teaches Doctor Dolittle how animals communicate. Clever, decisive, and widely experienced, she becomes his interpreter and adviser.

First appears in chapter 2

Doctor Dolittle's dog, whose sharp nose and loyalty make him a valuable companion. Once the Doctor learns animal language, Jip can speak to him directly.

First appears in chapter 3

A duck who lives in Doctor Dolittle's household. Efficient and sensible, she takes on many domestic tasks after Sarah leaves.

First appears in chapter 3

An owl in Doctor Dolittle's household. His keen hearing and ability to stay alert at night make him useful when the travelers need information others cannot detect.

First appears in chapter 3

A young pig who belongs to Doctor Dolittle. He is enthusiastic about food and joins the expedition to Africa with the rest of the household animals.

First appears in chapter 4

A monkey who comes to Doctor Dolittle with an urgent appeal: monkeys in Africa are dying from a terrible sickness and need the famous animal doctor. He accompanies the Doctor on the voyage.

First appears in chapter 6

The ruler of the African kingdom where Doctor Dolittle lands. Remembering earlier mistreatment by Europeans, he distrusts the new arrival and refuses to let the party travel freely through his country.

First appears in chapter 8

The leading lion among the African animals. Proud of lions and initially unwilling to help the sick monkeys, he is forced to reconsider when the epidemic reaches his own family.

First appears in chapter 10

A rare, shy animal with a head at each end of its body. The monkeys offer it to Doctor Dolittle in gratitude for his medical work, hoping its novelty will help him earn money after returning home.

Also known as The Barbary Dragon

First appears in chapter 15

The pirate captain whose ship Doctor Dolittle encounters on the return voyage. He and his crew prey on other vessels and threaten the travelers' safe journey home.