Hobbes is Calvin's feline counterpart. He is a tiger who appears stuffed to the world and quite real and alive to Calvin. As an animal, he presents a view of the world that may contrasts with Calvin's, specifically about who is on top of the food chain.

Watterson established in the first strip that Hobbes was captured in Calvin's tiger trap which was rigged witha tuna fish sandwich. Being a jungle cat, he enjoys sneaking up and pouncing on Calvin. He is often waiting on the other side of the front door when Calvin comes home from school.

Hobbes is named after Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher.