Darwin is the deuteragonist of The Wild Thornberrys. He is a chimpanzee who travels with the Thornberry family and is a loyal companion of Eliza Thornberry. He usually wears a tank top with horizontal blue and white stripes; which used to be Debbie's lucky tank top and blue shorts, as well as variations of this ensemble in different climates.
Description
Darwin likes to live with indoor plumbing than in the wilds of the jungle. While too cautious an individual, he is Eliza's best friend. Darwin met the Thornberrys as they were filming a show and became fast friends with Eliza. The two wished to communicate with each other, but naturally couldn't. With the help of a magic spell by an African shaman, this enabled Darwin and Eliza to talk, and they've been chatting with each other ever since. Darwin has adapted well to living with humans. He enjoys eating Cheese Crunchies and loves the safety that the Commvee provides him from the dangers of the wild. Although Darwin is easily startled and usually very nervous about following Eliza on one of her adventures, he almost always goes along and has saved her life on numerous occasions. Even though Darwin is a chimpanzee, he is considered a valuable member of the Thornberry family.
Looks
Darwin has some gray fur as well as peach skin and a pair of white eyes with black pupils. He wears a sleeveless tank top with blue and white stripes and blue pants. In cold weather climates, he's been shown to wear a similarly styled hooded jacket and long trousers.
Personality
Darwin usually tries to be the voice of reason to Eliza, but Eliza rarely takes his advice. Cautious; by nature, he is almost always hesitant to follow her plans; in response, she accuses him of cowardice, once calling him a "crybaby in a tank-top" for his hesitancy. He was found by Eliza and was the first animal that she ever talked with. His name is most likely reference to Charles Darwin; who created the Theory of Evolution, although within the series Eliza gives him the name Darwin after Lenny Darwin, her cousin who looks supposedly like a monkey yet is never shown in the series. In the languages of animals, he is shown speaking with a distinct refined English accent.
Appearances
Darwin appears in all episodes of The Wild Thornberrys. His first appearance was in the series' pilot episode, and his last was in "Eliza Unplugged".
He also appeared on a few video games, including crossovers.
Trivia
- While Darwin is often referred to as a monkey, being a chimpanzee, this would make him an ape.
- He, Eliza, Debbie, Nigel, and Marianne are the only main characters to appear in every episode.
- Darwin has his name in three episode titles which are Darwin Plays the Palace, Dinner With Darwin, and The Trouble With Darwin.