What was the name of the rat in “Rikki‑Tikki‑Tavi”? - briefly
The rat that appears in Kipling’s “Rikki‑Tikki‑Tavi” is named Darzee. It is briefly mentioned as a minor character assisting the mongoose.
What was the name of the rat in “Rikki‑Tikki‑Tavi”? - in detail
The story introduces a small brown rat that lives in the kitchen of the bungalow where the family resides. The rat is identified by the name “Rikki.” It appears only in a brief exchange when the mongoose Rikki‑Tikki‑Tavi first encounters the domestic animals. The rat’s role is limited to providing a contrast to the mongoose’s bravery; it remains passive and does not engage in the conflict with the cobras Nag and Naga. The name “Rikki” is the only proper designation given to the rodent within Kipling’s narrative.