Pumbaa

―Pumbaa[src] | ”

**Pumbaa Smith** is a male warthog. He is the adoptive uncle of Bunga and Simba. He is a member of Ma Tembo's herd.

When Simba fled the Pride Lands, he nearly died from exposure in the desert. However, Pumbaa and his best friend, Timon, rescued the cub and revived him in their jungle home. They proceeded to teach Simba the "Hakuna Matata" lifestyle, and he adopted it readily. Over the seasons, the three became close friends. One day, when Simba was full-grown, his childhood friend Nala found him in the jungle and implored him to return to the Pride Lands and reclaim his birthright. Timon and Pumbaa joined Simba in his quest to take back the throne and participated in the battle of Pride Rock, from which Simba and his allies emerged victorious.

In the seasons following Simba's ascent to kingship, Timon and Pumbaa became frequent babysitters of his rambunctious daughter, Kiara. Additionally, they became adoptive uncles of a young honey badger named Bunga.

## Biography

### Early life

―Pumbaa on his flatulence problem[src] | ”

When Pumbaa was young, he had a major flatulence problem. Many animals gave him a wide berth due to his stench, which they claimed would "wreck their appetite." Even Pumbaa's friends refused to stand downwind of him. After being abandoned by his friends, Pumbaa suffered immense shame and considered changing his name. He took to living alone, as no one wanted to be around him.

### Meeting Timon

―Pumbaa, after he meets Timon[src] | ”

While in search of his dream home, Timon wandered into a patch of tall grass. He overheard Pumbaa making snuffling noises in the underbrush and fled in fear. However, Pumbaa chased him, and the two ended up running into each other, which caused them both to scream in fear. Timon begged Pumbaa to eat him quickly, but the warthog assured Timon that he had no intentions of eating him. Indignant, Timon demanded to know why Pumbaa had been "stalking" him, and the warthog admitted that he had seen Timon wandering alone and worried about such a small animal being on his own.

Timon questioned Pumbaa as to why he was alone, and Pumbaa confessed that many animals gave him a wide berth, even predators. This intrigued Timon, who claimed that Pumbaa must have a "special power." After examining Pumbaa's hooves and tusks, Timon decided that Pumbaa would provide ample protection for him, and so he recruited the warthog to help him reach Pride Rock. Happy to have companionship, Pumbaa accepted and asked if they were friends. Timon hastily denied this and explained that they were more like "acquaintances." Though somewhat deflated, Pumbaa asserted that it was a good start.

The two introduced themselves, then started off toward Pride Rock. Along the way, they bonded over their love of grubs.

### Simba's presentation

―Pumbaa on the crowd of animals at Simba's presentation[src] | ”

Together, Timon and Pumbaa journeyed to Pride Rock, only to find a crowd of animals standing around its base for the presentation of Simba. Frustrated, Timon reflected on Rafiki's advice to him: "Look beyond what you see." Pumbaa suggested that Timon look beyond Pride Rock, and Timon repeated Pumbaa's idea as if it were his own. He then spotted a grove of trees beyond Pride Rock and determined that that must be his dream home.

With Timon in the lead, the duo headed toward the grove. Timon started to cut through the throng of animals, but Pumbaa did not follow him, claiming that he did not do well in crowds. However, Timon grabbed Pumbaa by the tusk and began to tow him through the gathered animals. As the two bulled their way through the crowd, Pumbaa started to sweat nervously, and his stomach gurgled dangerously. Despite Pumbaa's protests, Timon insisted that they keep cutting a path through the animals. Eventually, Pumbaa became so nauseous that he turned back to leave the crowd, but Timon grabbed him by the tail and pulled, which caused Pumbaa to release a massive surge of gas. In the resulting stench, many animals fainted, and some at the front of the crowd, mistaking the faints to be bows, bowed before Simba.

After the gas cleared, Timon praised Pumbaa for his "weapon." Shocked, Pumbaa asked if Timon minded, and the meerkat claimed that he did not. The two then continued on to the grove.

### Searching for Timon's dream home

—Timon and Pumbaa on the jungle[src] | ”

Timon and Pumbaa arrived at the grove, where Timon set up a hammock. The meerkat gushed about how his new home belonged only to him and that he had no commitments, which made Pumbaa sad. Reluctantly, the warthog turned to go, but Timon told him that he did not have to leave. Pumbaa's mood instantly perked, and he cheerfully informed Timon that he had made them two beds in a nearby cave. The two entered the cave, and Timon fell asleep in the larger of the two nests that Pumbaa had built. Instead of disturbing Timon, Pumbaa simply curled up in the small nest and fell asleep.

One morning, the two woke up to many animals singing and dancing above them. An infuriated Timon complained about the noisy neighbors and went outside to confront them. Upon seeing a massive tower of animals, he took a stick and whacked at the tower, which caused it to teeter. Just before it collapsed, Pumbaa pulled Timon to safety.

Following the confrontation, Timon and Pumbaa set off in search of a new home. Along the way, Pumbaa tried to tell Timon about a jungle paradise he had once visited, but Timon insisted that he could not "go chasing after some fantasy." Pumbaa questioned how Timon would know when he had found his dream home, and the meerkat insisted that he was already there. He then gestured at the area around them: the Elephant Graveyard. The two explored the area until Mufasa charged past and started attacking a trio of hyenas. Timon and Pumbaa hid in a nearby elephant skull and watched the scene unfold in horror.

The duo continued their search until they reached an area of geysers. Pumbaa once more tried to bring up the topic of the jungle, but Timon asserted that the geysers were his "home, sweet home." However, in the midst of Timon's ravings, an army of hyenas marched past, and Timon and Pumbaa inconspicuously danced away from the danger.

Eventually, the two reached a gorge. Though Timon believed the area was his dream home, a stampede of wildebeests soon appeared, and the duo ran for their lives, along with Simba. In the midst of the chase, they got caught in a wildebeest's horns and thrown into a nearby river. At first, Timon was relieved to have escaped the danger, but then he spotted an oncoming waterfall and asked Pumbaa if it was possible for someone to fall off the edge of the Earth. Pumbaa replied that it was not, for the Earth was round like a sphere. The two then fell off the waterfall and into a pool of water below.

That night, after Timon and Pumbaa made it onto a beach, Timon gave up his search for a dream home and told Pumbaa that he could go home. The warthog confessed that he had no home, and Timon worked out that Pumbaa was "all alone in this big empty world." Taking Pumbaa's hoof, Timon admitted that he too was alone and that Pumbaa was the only friend he had ever had. Overjoyed, Pumbaa asked if they were truly friends, and Timon declared that they were and that friends stuck together to the end.

### Hakuna Matata

―Pumbaa discovers "Hakuna Matata"[src] | ”

The next morning, Timon and Pumbaa found themselves in a jungle paradise. Pumbaa reminded Timon that this was the place he had been mentioning, but Timon, misunderstanding Pumbaa, declared that the jungle was better than whatever place Pumbaa had been envisioning as their dream home. The two quickly settled into their new home, and Pumbaa whipped up several meals for Timon so as to celebrate the occasion. While Pumbaa cooked, Timon tried to remember the catchphrase Rafiki had used to describe his dream home. Though Pumbaa suggested several two-word phrases, none rang a bell until he said, "Hakuna Matata. It means 'No Worries.'" The duo then looked at one another in incredulous realization. Together, Timon and Pumbaa enjoyed life in the jungle according to their new "Hakuna Matata" lifestyle.

### Meeting Simba

―Pumbaa to Simba on "Hakuna Matata"[src] | ”

One day, Timon and Pumbaa went bowling for porcupines, which resulted in Timon getting severely injured. While Pumbaa plucked quills from Timon's back, he commented that it had not been their best idea. Just then, Pumbaa noticed several vultures gathering in the desert and begged Timon to go "bowling for buzzards" with him. At first, Timon refused, but after a moment, he gave in, and the two charged at the vultures.

After scaring the vultures off, Pumbaa discovered that they had been circling an unconscious body. He informed Timon that the vultures' prey was still alive, and Timon investigated, only to fly into a fit of fear when he realized that the animal was a lion. He told Pumbaa to run, but the warthog was moved by the cub's cuteness and expressed a desire to keep the young lion around. Eventually, after Pumbaa suggested that the cub might grow up to be on their side, Timon claimed the idea as his own and allowed Pumbaa to lift the cub in his tusks.

Pumbaa carried the cub to a pool of water, where he and Timon revived him. The cub, Simba, thanked the two for saving his life, then wandered off into the desert. Concerned for his wellbeing, Timon and Pumbaa followed him, and Pumbaa asked what was wrong. Though Timon tried to crack a joke, Simba was too sad to react. In response to Timon's prodding, Simba declared that he could never go back to his home, and Timon excitedly revealed that he and Pumbaa were outcasts as well. Pumbaa asked what Simba had done, but the cub said that he did not want to talk about it. Pumbaa questioned if they could help him in any way, and Simba commented that the only way they could help him was if they could change the past.

At Simba's comment, Pumbaa tried to quote Timon but instead said, "You gotta put your behind in your past." Timon quickly corrected Pumbaa by telling Simba that he had to put his past behind him and embrace the "Hakuna Matata" lifestyle. Confused, Simba asked what "Hakuna Matata" meant, and Timon and Pumbaa explained that it was their problem-free philosophy. They then told Simba the story of Pumbaa, specifically how his flatulence had scared off all his friends. Eventually, Simba embraced "Hakuna Matata" himself.

Together, the three walked deeper into the jungle, and Timon and Pumbaa showed Simba a spectacular view of the jungle. Simba was awed by the beauty, and Pumbaa commented cheerfully that "home is where your rump rests." The three then moved on in search of food. Though Simba wanted to eat meat, Timon and Pumbaa encouraged him to eat grubs instead. While initially apprehensive, Simba soon agreed that grubs were "slimy yet satisfying."

### Raising Simba

Simba quickly befriended Timon and Pumbaa, and began to live with them. When Simba was an adult, the three lay down in a field to stargaze. Pumbaa commented that he was stuffed and had eaten like a pig, to which Simba reminded him that he was in fact a pig. After the three sighed in contentment, Pumbaa asked Timon what the stars were, and Timon replied that they were fireflies that had gotten stuck in the sky. Pumbaa speculated that they were "balls of gas burning billions of miles away," and Timon quipped that Pumbaa was always concerned with gas.

Pumbaa asked Simba what his opinion was, and, after some prompting, Simba commented that someone had once told him that the stars were the Great Kings of the Past. This caused both Timon and Pumbaa to laugh and mock Simba for the notion. Though Simba laughed along with them, he soon got up and walked away to grieve.

### Simba and Nala's romance

―Pumbaa, as Nala chases him[src] | ”

One day, Timon and Pumbaa were singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" whilst strolling through the jungle. In the midst of the song, Pumbaa got distracted by a beetle and stalked it into an open field. There, he got set upon by a young lioness. Pumbaa fled into the jungle, with the predator hot on his heels, and got stuck under a tree root. Timon tried to shove Pumbaa out from under the tree root, to no avail. In the nick of time, Simba arrived and engaged the lioness in a fight. However, midway through the fight, Simba recognized her as his childhood friend, Nala, and the two had a delighted reunion.

With Nala no longer a threat, Simba called over Timon and Pumbaa. Though Pumbaa was quick to make friends with Nala, Timon was confused by the chain of events and wondered why they were acting friendly with one another if Nala wanted to eat Pumbaa. Simba encouraged Timon to relax. Nala then revealed that Simba was the rightful king of the Pride Lands, and Pumbaa bowed before Simba in reverance, to the young lion's dismay. Eventually, Nala asked Timon and Pumbaa to leave, and Simba echoed her sentiment. Reluctantly, Timon and Pumbaa left the two alone.

From the underbrush, Timon and Pumbaa watched Simba and Nala nuzzle. Pumbaa was touched by their romance, but Timon warned him that Nala would upset their "Hakuna Matata" lifestyle, which made Pumbaa agree that they had to interfere. The two tried various tactics to disrupt Simba and Nala's romantic evening, but every attempt failed. Finally, the two accepted defeat and sobbed over the loss of their friend.

### Journey to the Pride Lands

―Pumbaa, after Simba departs for the Pride Lands[src] | ”

As Timon and Pumbaa left Simba and Nala behind, Timon raved about how they had failed to hold on to their friend. Pumbaa then pointed out how Simba and Nala were arguing nearby. This delighted Timon, who insisted that everything would go back to normal.

That night, Timon and Pumbaa went to sleep. Nala arrived and tried to awaken them, but they believed that they were under attack and began screaming for their lives. Hastily, Nala calmed them, then asked where Simba had gone. Just then, Rafiki arrived with news that Simba had returned to the Pride Lands. A confused Timon and Pumbaa asked for clarification, and Nala had to explain the situation several times. Finally, she asserted that Simba needed them, then charged off into the jungle.

After Nala left, Timon remarked spitefully that Simba did not deserve their help, as he had abandoned them. Pumbaa pointed out that it was not "Hakuna Matata" without Simba, but Timon insisted that they would be fine without him. Pumbaa declared that their friend needed them, to which Timon accused Pumbaa of wanting to abandon him just as Simba had. He then asked what had happened to "friends stick together to the end." Pumbaa shot back that he had been planning to ask Timon the same thing. Finally, when Timon refused to leave, Pumbaa set off on his own to help Simba.

As Pumbaa ran across the desert, Timon caught up to him and said, "Friends stick together to the end." The two then hugged one another and sobbed joyfully.

### Battle of Pride Rock

―Pumbaa, during the battle of Pride Rock[src] | ”

Eventually, Timon and Pumbaa caught up to Simba and Nala in the Pride Lands. As Simba looked on in shocked delight, Pumbaa bowed to him and pledged his services. Together, the four crept into the Pride Lands and paused behind a large rock to observe several hyenas who were slumbering in-between them and Pride Rock. Timon wondered how they would sneak past the predators, and Simba informed him that they would have to use live bait. Acquiescing to Simba's request, Timon and Pumbaa lured the hyenas away by offering Pumbaa up as a snack. They then ran into a cave and chased the hyenas out with Pumbaa's flatulence.

Just then, Ma and Uncle Max dug up out of the dirt, and Timon introduced his family to Pumbaa. No sooner had he done this when Pumbaa spotted Scar backing Simba toward the edge of Pride Rock. Though Timon believed it was good that the two were talking things out, he changed his mind when Simba nearly fell off the promontory and lightning ignited a fire at the base of Pride Rock. Timon quickly hatched a plan: while Ma and Uncle Max dug a tunnel, Timon and Pumbaa would lure the hyenas into the trap.

As a battle broke out between the hyenas and the lionesses, Timon and Pumbaa charged through the crowd, knocking hyenas to and fro. Banzai started chasing Timon, and the meerkat took refuge with Zazu in a bone cage. Pumbaa soon arrived, and Banzai questioned who the "pig" was. At this, Timon warned Banzai and Shenzi that they were in trouble, and Pumbaa furiously retorted that he was called "Mister Pig," after which he charged at and chased off the hyenas.

As the hyenas started chasing Simba up Pride Rock, Timon and Pumbaa appeared on a ledge above them. They told an offensive joke about the hyenas, which caused the clan to turn their attention from Simba to Timon and Pumbaa. The hyenas chased the duo and cornered them in a cave. However, since Ma and Uncle Max were not finished with the tunnel, Timon and Pumbaa tried various tactics to stall the hyenas, to no avail. At one point, Timon got so desperate that he proposed to Shenzi, which utterly shocked Pumbaa. After recovering from his surprise, Pumbaa tearfully asked Timon if he could be his best man.

Suddenly, Ma emerged and asked if she should set off the trap. Timon told her to do so, and she did, only for the trap to fail, as one of the sticks that was needed to collapse the ground was stuck by a rock. With the tunnel a failure, the hyenas advanced on a terrified Timon, Pumbaa, Ma, and Uncle Max. Just before the hyenas could attack, Timon bravely jumped into the tunnel to finish the job. He knocked down the last stick, which caused the ground to collapse beneath the hyenas and send them plummeting to the base of Pride Rock.

### Simba's coronation

―Pumbaa, as Simba ascends Pride Rock[src] | ”

After the attack, Pumbaa spotted Simba defeating Scar, and the friends celebrated their success. They went to the base of Pride Rock, where Simba embraced Timon and Pumbaa, and told them that he could not have done it without them. Simba then ascended Pride Rock and roared over his kingdom, while Timon and Pumbaa watched proudly.

After Simba's coronation, he and Nala had a cub, whom Rafiki presented to the animals of the Pride Lands. Timon and Pumbaa celebrated the ceremony on Pride Rock.

### Moving Timon's colony to the jungle

―Pumbaa on Timon's accomplishments[src] | ”

Following the battle of Pride Rock, Timon took his colony to the jungle. There, he and Pumbaa spent quality time with the meerkats and Simba.

### Kiara's presentation

—Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki on an infant Kiara[src] | ”

After the birth of Simba's daughter, Kiara, Timon and Pumbaa attended her presentation. Afterward, they shared their excitement about spending time with the "little guy," just as they had with Simba when he was a cub. However, Rafiki chuckled and informed the duo that Kiara was a girl, which caused them to faint from shock.

### Adopting Bunga

―Pumbaa on Bunga[src] | ”

One day, Timon and Pumbaa were in the midst of searching for a rare grub called the Utamu when they ran into an infant honey badger, who began to follow them around. Pumbaa was immediately smitten by the infant's cuteness and begged Timon to let the youngster stick around, but Timon adamantly refused, claiming that they had already raised a lion. Despite Timon's opposition to his idea, Pumbaa noted that the honey badger had grown quite fond of them.

Eventually, Timon instructed the honey badger to climb a tree and fetch him and Pumbaa some Utamu grubs. When the infant successfully scaled the tree and delivered the grubs to Timon, the meerkat allowed him to stay and even named him "Bunga."

### Babysitting Kiara

―Pumbaa, after Kiara wanders away from Pride Rock[src] | ”

When Kiara left Pride Rock to play, Simba instructed Timon and Pumbaa to babysit her. They followed her away from Pride Rock and accidentally scared her into falling into a pool of water. Pumbaa bravely jumped in after her but accidentally sat on her. Eventually, Kiara spluttered to the surface, and Pumbaa sheepishly apologized. He then chided her for having run off and reminded her that she could have been hurt. Timon added that Simba would kill them if anything happened to Kiara. Frustrated, she reminded the duo that being a princess was only half of her identity. Pumbaa asked who the other half was, but Kiara could not answer him.

Timon suggested that they eat grubs. Kiara reacted with disgust, so Timon instead offered the grubs to Pumbaa. The warthog happily gobbled one up, only to spit it back out because it was "crunchy" rather than "slimy." Timon argued that crunchy grubs were better, which caused the two to start arguing. Taking advantage of the duo's distraction, Kiara snuck away.

Later, after Kiara was confronted by Zira, the leader of the Outsiders, Timon and Pumbaa joined Simba's pride in defending the cub. Timon ordered Zira to leave the Pride Lands, but she roared at him, which caused him to hide in Pumbaa's mane. After the confrontation, Timon and Pumbaa returned to Pride Rock with the pride.

### Dawn of the Lion Guard

―Pumbaa on Bunga joining the Lion Guard[src] | ”

One day, Timon and Pumbaa helped a lion cub named Zuri free her claws from a log. The incident prompted Pumbaa to fondly reminisce about the days when he and Timon had helped Simba free his claws from logs. Before the two could fully free Zuri, Bunga arrived and distracted Pumbaa, which caused the warthog to turn around and accidentally yank Zuri's claws out of the log. She fell into another log on the ground and inadvertently unearthed a smorgasbord of grubs. Delighted, Timon and Pumbaa leaped down to join her and began to feast on the grubs.

After Timon and Pumbaa had eaten, Bunga informed them that he was planning to join the Lion Guard alongside his best friend, Kion. Pumbaa was at first hesitant, as he worried that the job would be dangerous, but he was soon won over and congratulated Bunga on his new role. He was so excited that he accidentally unleashed gas, which caused Kion, Bunga, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri to flee. Confused, Pumbaa asked Timon if he had said something that had offended everyone.

### Bunga's stink problem

―Pumbaa[src] | ”

When Ono attempted to get Timon and Pumbaa to help wash away Bunga's stink, the two stuck up for their nephew's smell. Bunga's stench soon attracted grubs, which Timon and Pumbaa eagerly lapped up.

### Bunga the Wise

―Pumbaa[src] | ”

After Bunga mistakenly thought that Rafiki had called him the smartest animal in the Pride Lands, he went off to tell his uncles about it. Timon and Pumbaa immediately set him up as a sage and drew a crowd of animals to their home, Hakuna Matata Falls, so they could ask Bunga for advice.

When the Lion Guard arrived at Hakuna Matata Falls, they saw the animals lined up to meet Bunga. Timon and Pumbaa informed the Lion Guard of Bunga's new status and forced them to wait in line to see him. Recognizing the disaster for what it was, Kion attempted to talk Bunga out of his new role, but the honey badger refused to rejoin the Lion Guard. Timon then ushered the friends out of Bunga's lair, and the Lion Guard reluctantly left.

Later, the Lion Guard saw Bunga at the head of a parade of animals who were celebrating his great wisdom, including Timon and Pumbaa. Kion ran up to Bunga and once again tried to make him see reason, but Bunga pointed out that everyone loved his advice. Timon added that Bunga had fixed a dam. Just then, the dam broke, and the animals were forced to flee across the plains. Though Timon and Pumbaa called to their nephew, urging him to flee, Bunga took off after his friends.

### Kupatana

Timon and Pumbaa attended the Kupatana celebration.

### Bunga's immunity

―Pumbaa, after Bunga is declared immune to snake bites[src] | ”

When Bunga was bitten by the venomous Ushari, Timon and Pumbaa rushed to Rafiki's tree, where they proceeded to weep over their nephew. However, much to their delight, Bunga was proclaimed to be immune to snake bites. To celebrate, they invited Fuli to join them at Hakuna Matata Falls. Once there, the duo attempted to serve her grubs, but she politely declined. Unwilling to let her go, Timon began to make conversation with her and discovered, to his delight, that her fur was incredibly soft. Pumbaa soon joined in on feeling her fur, and an uncomfortable Fuli left the celebration.

### Utamu season

―Pumbaa to Bunga[src] | ”

While the Lion Guard searched for Utamu grubs, Bunga told his friends about the day he had met Timon and Pumbaa. Later, when Bunga failed to catch any Utamu, the Lion Guard traveled to Hakuna Matata Falls, where Bunga admitted to his uncles that he had failed. Timon gently reminded the honey badger that they celebrated not because of the Utamu, but because of their relationship with Bunga. They then revealed that Utamu grubs had fallen out of the sky, and the group shared in on the feast of grubs.

### Sinkhole

―Pumbaa on Bunga and Simba[src] | ”

When Bunga and Simba got trapped in a sinkhole, Kion sent Ono to retrieve Timon and Pumbaa so they could search for their lost friends in Nandembo Caverns. However, upon entering Nandembo Caverns, Timon and Pumbaa devolved into tears over the loss of their adoptive nephews, and Pumbaa called fate a "fickle mongoose." Timon cried out that they were lost inside the caverns, and Pumbaa expressed concern that they would never get out alive, but Ono pointed out that they had barely entered the tunnels. Though still despondent, Timon and Pumbaa managed to compose themselves, and Pumbaa told Kion that he would understand how they felt once he had children of his own.

Just then, Timon and Pumbaa heard the faraway voices of Bunga and Simba, and rushed off to save them. Eventually, Timon, Pumbaa, and the Lion Guard found Bunga and Simba on the other side of a ravine, and Pumbaa expressed relief that they were both all right. In order to cross the ravine, Bunga hopped onto Simba's back, and Simba leaped across the divide. Timon and Pumbaa then had a joyous reunion with them. Timon soon turned on Pumbaa and accused him of having worried too much about Bunga and Simba's safety, and Pumbaa apologized for having forgotten the "Hakuna Matata" philosophy.

Together, Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, and the Lion Guard journeyed to Mizimu Grove, where they performed "Hakuna Matata" for Ma Tembo's herd.

### Scaring off the galagos

While the galagos were waiting for the Lion Guard at Hakuna Matata Falls, they were frightened away by Pumbaa's flatulence.

### Tale of the Zimwi

―Pumbaa[src] | ”

When a group of young animals claimed to have seen the Zimwi, Pumbaa informed them that Timon was the only animal in the Pride Lands to have survived an encounter with the beast. Though Pumbaa claimed that Timon had seen the Zimwi, Timon explained that his mother's cousin's friend had known an ox who had been eaten by the Zimwi. Kion questioned how the ox could have told anyone about the Zimwi if he had been eaten, and Pumbaa looked to Timon for the answer. At the end of Timon's tale, the Lion Guard resolved to find the Zimwi, and Pumbaa sobbed over Bunga's bravery.

### Bunga's pep talk

When Ono was ashamed of himself for having lost his crest feathers, Bunga encouraged him to stand out. He then mentioned Pumbaa, who stood out because of his flatulence problem.

(To be continued)

## Physical appearance

—Timon and Pumbaa[src] | ”

Pumbaa is a large and portly warthog. He has red fur, with a maroon underbelly, pink inner ears, black hooves, and a pink nose. He also has two white tusks, a black mane, and a single snaggletooth on his bottom jaw. His eyes are black. According to Timon, he is fat. When he became bigger and fatter after Scar's victory, Pumbaa had a yellow tuft of his mane.

## Personality and traits

—Timon and Pumbaa[src] | ”

Pumbaa is gentle, kind-hearted, and friendly to animals of all kinds. Unlike Timon, who is more distrustful and solitary, Pumbaa strives to make new friends and is particularly fond of small, cute animals. He is somewhat slow-witted and simple, and needs Timon for direction. Due to his overly literal nature, he often does not understand figures of speech and will respond seriously to sarcastic questions, commands, or comments. Even so, he does sometimes display more clarity of thought and emotional maturity than Timon, as he is far more knowledgable about science and can more easily pick up on another's emotional state.

Pumbaa is a loyal and devoted friend. He was even willing to abandon Timon so that he could help Simba in the battle of Pride Rock. He takes orders well and will fight fiercely for what he believes in. Though usually quite tame by nature, he can have a nasty temper, as seen when he reacted with aggression and fury to Banzai's comment that he was a "pig." Even in the face of impossible odds, Pumbaa will stand his ground and fight bravely alongside his friends.

Like Timon, Pumbaa is carefree and lazy. Both friends encouraged Simba to put his past behind him and to instead embrace a "problem-free" philosophy. They were sometimes callous and unkind toward him, albeit unintentionally. For instance, when Simba recounted a personal story that Mufasa had told him about the Great Kings of the Past, the two laughed at him and made fun of him, to the point that he had to walk off to be by himself. Both Timon and Pumbaa love grubs. In particular, Pumbaa favors grubs that are slimy and/or have wings.

Though Timon is more paternal than Pumbaa, the warthog is still protective of both his adoptive nephews. He often saved a young Simba from scrapes and was sensitive to his emotional state, such as when he invited the cub to sleep with him and Timon after he had a nightmare. Whenever their nephews are in danger, Timon and Pumbaa will panic and sob until the situation is resolved. They are supportive of both Bunga and Simba, and will do everything they can to help them.

## Relationships

* Bunga - Adoptive Nephew
* Uncle Boris † - Uncle

Allies* Chief warthog's sounder - Former Teammates
	+ Chief warthog
	+ Growler's mother - Fan
* Timon's colony
	+ Timon - Best Friend and Savior
	+ Ma
	+ Uncle Max †
	+ Fred
	+ Tatiana
	+ Duke Meerkat
* Kataka
* Zak
* Speedy
* Boss Beaver - Former Boss
* Smolder - Former Enemy
* Tanglemane - Former Enemy
* Horatio - Former Rival
* Wiseguy
* Speedy - Close Friend
* Simba's pride
	+ Nala - Close Friend, Temporary Enemy, Former Attempted Killer, and Former Teammate
	+ Sarabi
	+ Kiara
	+ Tiifu - Former Teammate
	+ Mufasa † - Temporary Enemy
	+ Zuri
	+ Kovu - Temporary Enemy
* Royal Mjuzis
	+ Rafiki † - Friend
	+ Makini
* Lion Guard
	+ Vitani - Former Enemy
	+ Imara
	+ Shabaha
	+ Kasi
	+ Tazama
	+ Kopa - Former Teammate
* Night Pride - Former Teammates and Close Friends
	+ Kion - Former Leader and Friend
	+ Rani
	+ Fuli
	+ Beshte
	+ Ono
	+ Anga
	+ Surak
	+ Baliyo
	+ Nirmala
	+ Binga
	+ Jasiri
	+ Mzingo
* Jasiri's clan
	+ Janja - Former Enemy
	+ Cheezi
	+ Chungu
	+ Madoa
	+ Asante
* Pride Landers
	+ Zazu
	+ Ma Tembo - Friend
	+ Makuu
	+ Bupu
	+ Twiga
	+ Basi
	+ Thurston
	+ Hadithi
	+ Laini
	+ Zito - Friend
	+ Mtoto's mother
	+ Mbeya
	+ Kifaru
	+ Boboka
	+ Mwenzi
	+ Mtoto
* Shujaa
* Pumbaa's sounder
	+ Sharla - Love Interest
	+ Chunder
	+ Kevin
	+ Tunka
* Pinguino's rookery
	+ Pinguino - Former Teammate
* Reirei's pack - Former Enemies
	+ Reirei
	+ Goigoi
* Kiburi's float - Former Enemies
	+ Kiburi
	+ Tamka
* Mzingo's parliament - Former Enemies
	+ Mwoga
* Azaad
* Chuluun
* Snarl's pack
	+ Snarl †
* One-Eye †
* Shriek
* Boy Beaver - Attempted Killer
* Quint - Archenemy
* Cheetata
* Cheetato
* Growler - Attempted Killer
* Joka - Former Enthraller
* Mother Gorilla - Former Adoptive Mother and Attempted Killer
* Shenzi's clan - Attempted Killers
	+ Shenzi †
	+ Banzai
	+ Ed †
	+ Azizi †
	+ Kamari †
* Army of Scar
	+ Scar † - Attempted Killer
	+ Ushari † - Former Friend
	+ Nduli
	+ Dogo
	+ Dogo's brothers
	+ Kijana
* Shupavu's group
	+ Shupavu
	+ Njano
	+ Nyata
	+ Nyeusi
	+ Waza
* Outsiders
	+ Zira †
* Makucha's army
	+ Mama Binturong
	+ Makucha
	+ Ora
	+ Fahari
	+ Jiona
* Smun's prickle
	+ Smun
* Leo †

## Appearances

* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "New Acquaintances for Timon"
	+ "The Circle of Life"
	+ "King for a Day"
	+ "Be Prepared"
	+ "Stampede"
	+ "Raising Simba"
* *Hakuna Matata*
	+ "Simba Rules, OK?"
	+ "Falling in Love"
	+ "Pumbaa's New Friends"
	+ "Mummy Pumbaa"
	+ "Snail Slurping"
	+ "In Deep Water"
	+ "The Ghost Elephant"
	+ "Timon in Trouble"
	+ "Monkey Mountain"
	+ "Wiseguy the Owl"
* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "The Famine"
	+ "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
	+ "Battle for Pride Rock"
	+ "He Lives in You"
* *Six New Adventures*
	+ "Nala's Dare" (mentioned)
	+ "A Snake in the Grass"
	+ "Follow the Leader"
* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "We Are One"
* *Find Out Why*
* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "Return of the Roar"
	+ "Lions of the Outlands" (cave painting)
	+ "The Rise of Scar"
	+ "Snow Day"
	+ "Hyena Resistance"
	+ "The Ultimate Showdown"
	+ "Battle for the Pride Lands"
	+ "Kiara's First Hunt"
	+ "The Unwelcome Stranger"
	+ "Love Will Find a Way"
	+ "Return to the Pride Lands"
	+ "Epilogue: An Important Coronation"
	+ "Prince Kopa" (mentioned)
	+ "Lion Guard: The Leo Dynasty"
	+ "Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes"

## Trivia

* Pumbaa was voiced by Ernie Sabella.
	+ Sabella also voiced the mole and Growler's mother.

* Pumbaa's name means "be foolish" or "be dumbfounded, be astonished" or "be weak-minded" or "be negligent, be careless, be thoughtless" or "be ignorant" in Swahili.

* Pumbaa dislikes large crowds, which suggests that he has enochlophobia.

* According to Ernie Sabella, Pumbaa is smarter than Timon.