Hungry Tiger

The Hungry Tiger is a close friend of the Cowardly Lion and a supporting character in the Oz books and films.

Baum's Description

The Hungry Tiger is large and lithe, with powerful limbs and dark purple stripes. His eyes burn like coals of fire. He is always hungry, no matter how much he eats, and he longs to devour a "fat baby," though he never would because his conscience will not allow him to do so. He always wears a ribbon at the end of his long tail that is of red velvet.

History

When the Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion heard of Princess Ozma's ascension to the throne of Oz, they left the forest to visit the Emerald City. There they joined Ozma's party, pulling her royal chariot, and set out on a mission to save the Royal Family of Ev from the Nome King. During the journey, the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger bravely carried most of the party under the deadly hammer of the iron giant. When the adventure ended successfully, the Hungry Tiger stayed with his friend in the Emerald City. (Ozma of Oz) The Hungry Tiger joins Dorothy, the Wizard, and the Cowardly Lion on their journey to find monkeys for their present to Ozma for her birthday. (The Magic of Oz)

The two beasts are Ozma's chief guardians, and they keep guard in her Royal Throne Room. However, because everyone loves Ozma, there has never been a disturbance and there is nothing for the guardians to do. ("The Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger")

Trivia

• In Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz, the Tiger's gender is changed from male to female similar to the Dormouse from the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland.