# Terkoz — Tarzan of the Apes character guide

> Terkoz in Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the redoubtable Terkoz

**First appearance:** 0012-xi-king-of-the-apes

## Snapshot

A ferocious young ape and son of Tublat, whose bullying, jealousy, and brute ambition make him Tarzan's most dangerous rival within the tribe.

## Who they are

Terkoz is the tribe's resident bully, a savage brute who beats an old female to provoke Tarzan and who would be chosen leader the moment Tarzan stepped aside. His hatred of the ape-man is personal and relentless, and their rivalry forces Tarzan to remain king long after he wishes to renounce the role. When the two finally fight hand to hand, Terkoz's fangs and strength nearly finish the young lord — and only Tarzan's human reason, the 'little spark' that separates man from brute, turns the battle. His savagery is the measure against which Tarzan's growing humanity is taken.

## Relationships

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/tarzan)

_rivalry_

Terkoz is a bullying ape who constantly torments Tarzan, leading to a deadly fight where Tarzan kills him.

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/tarzan)

_rivalry_

Terkoz is a bullying ape who constantly torments Tarzan, leading to a deadly fight where Tarzan kills him.

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/tarzan)

_rivalry_

Terkoz is a bullying ape who constantly torments Tarzan, leading to a deadly fight where Tarzan kills him.

## In the story

### [XII: Man's Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xii-man-s-reason)

Son of Tublat, challenges Tarzan's authority, beats an old female, and engages Tarzan in a deadly fight.

### [His Own Kind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xiii-his-own-kind)

Mentioned as the ape Tarzan fought, whose wounds are still healing.

### [XIX: The Call of the Primitive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xix-the-call-of-the-primitive)

Driven from the ape tribe, captures Jane, and is killed by Tarzan in battle.

### [XX: Heredity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xx-heredity)

Mentioned as the ape from whom Tarzan rescued Jane.

### [Brother Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxiii-brother-men)

Mentioned as having taken Jane Porter; killed by Tarzan.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/terkoz
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters