What kind of animals are Timon and Pumbaa? Here's everything we know about Disney's The Lion King

It's been over three decades since Disney's The Lion King was released in theaters, and the fans still can't stop gushing over it. There is so much to admire in this animated classic for kids and adults alike. So, it must have become a family tradition for many to watch it together. After all, it has drama, suspense, and a few lessons to learn along the way. So, it doesn't come as a surprise that Disney decided to bring its photorealistic version to the screen in 2019.

The movie follows Simba, a young cub, who loses his father, King Lion Mufasa at a young age. It leaves a scar on his life for many years until he decides to return to claim what is rightfully his. So, he goes on a journey of self-discovery that teaches him courage, strength, and resilience. It also takes him on many adventures with different animals in the wild. Of course, they support him and give him the love he seeks, but they are also entertaining characters on their own.

These characters offer comic relief to this children's film that otherwise deals with heavier themes. Two of the most iconic characters from The Lion King have got to be Timon and Pumbaa. They tag along with Simba almost every step of the way and become his witty companions. Timon is a bipedal meerkat, whereas Pumbaa is a warthog. However, the fans have pointed out similarities to some other wild animals.

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What kind of animals are Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King?

Timon and Pumbaa are Simba's best friends in The Lion King. However, they have distinct personalities. Timon is self-absorbed and usually has something witty to say, whereas Pumbaa is naive and has some flatulence issues. Despite their frequently irresponsible nature, they stay loyal to Simba. Their carefree 'hakuna matata' personalities offer them a charm that the fans just can't get enough of. That leads to questions about their real-life inspirations.

In The Lion King, Timon is commonly referred to as a meerkat that uses its hind legs to move around. It makes sense since he is relatively thin and golden-brown and has a long tail and rounded ears. However, some fans have speculated that it also looks a bit like a mongoose. On the other hand, Pumbaa is commonly understood as a warthog. However, some claim that this Lion King character might be derived from a wild boar. In the end, it's a fictional character. So, the animators may have taken inspiration from different types of animals.

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Who plays Timon and Pumba in The Lion King?

The 1994 version of The Lion King starred Nathan Lane as the voice of Timon, whereas Erin Sabella voiced Pumbaa. Sabella has reportedly reprised this role in every Disney project set in this fictional universe. The character was recast in Jon Favreau's 2019 film, where The Studio star Seth Rogen voiced it. When asked about this role, Rogen told Entertainment Weekly,

"As an actor, I 100 percent don't think I'm right for every role — there are a lot of roles I don't think I'm right for even in movies I'm making — but Pumbaa was one I knew I could do well."

Comedian Billy Eichner, who voiced Timon, added,

“Timon is physically the smallest character, but he has one of the bigger personalities, and I love the combination of those two things. I kind of played into Timon, as I’ve done with many characters of mine, [the notion that] he might be small in stature but he has a huge sense of entitlement, which is always funny to play.”