The Internet’s Baby Animal Boom

Pygmy hippo Moo Deng and king penguin Pesto have developed an impressive online fanbase.

Baby penguin Pesto at the Sea Life Melbourne aquarium. Photo by HoseIsFaucet via Wikimedia Commons

Three-month-old pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng and nine-month-old king penguin Pesto are two of the most recent Internet celebrities, going viral for their charming personalities and loveable looks.

Residing in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand, Moo Deng has been widely recognized in videos as a “sassy” character. With viral clips of the fun-sized — and toothless — hippo’s attempts to bite the legs of her caretakers, many have taken a love to her feisty nature in defiance of her comically miniature figure.

As if her size and baby face weren’t endearing enough, the translation of Moo Deng’s name was publicized as Thai for “bouncy pork.” Could a title be any more fitting? 

The hippo’s celebrity status only extended further when she was made a character in SNL’s recent skit, where Bowen Yang dressed in a hippopotamus costume and lamented the struggle of baby animal fame. Even stirring some controversy, the skit is explained by Forbes to have poked fun at Chappell Roan’s recent announcements dealing with obsessive fans.

The Moo Deng obsession has resulted in significant business for the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. As stated by BBC, “On one recent weekend, around 20,000 people visited to see the two-month-old mammal eat and play, according to The Independent newspaper.” 

The attention has come for better and for worse — the New York Times explained measures for Moo Deng’s safety were implemented after tourists had thrown things at her while sleeping, but in an email sent by zoo staff, she’s had no issues since. 

In Australia, Melbourne’s Sea Life attraction houses baby king penguin Pesto, the aquarium’s largest chick to date. While the average size of an adult king penguin is between 31 and 37 pounds, Pesto has already outgrown his parents at nine months old, weighing a lofty 46 pounds. 

Pesto’s impressive weight is credited to his diet of 25 fish a day and the reputation of his biological father, Blake, as the largest and oldest penguin at Sea Life. His unusual size has resulted in a large fanbase online, as zoo-goers found humor in the irony of his young features paired with his comically large build. 

Pesto has become a rising star in video content on Instagram and TikTok, with most videos featuring fans visiting Pesto and incorporating him into various popular trends with a fun caption or sound. 

The penguin’s popularity spiked when pop star Katy Perry paid him a visit. She posted a TikTok video on Sept. 26 with the caption “visited Pesto last night. he told me who will win in the @afl grand final tomorrow but my lips are sealed.” Perry was in the area as she was set to perform at the Australian Football League Grand Final, making the pit stop at Sea Life to meet the penguin and blow soap bubbles for him to pop. 

Sea Life has recognized the public’s admiration for Pesto and has taken advantage of it to promote the aquarium. Now, its website features a page dedicated to Pesto’s story and a big button that says, “Book to visit Pesto!”

The outpour of love towards the two animals may not be a coincidence. Brian Cronin, a journalism professor at Marist College, suggests a reason the two animals have gained a significant following recently.

“Baby animals are designed by evolution to appeal to us as cuteness…It’s comforting, this is an extraordinarily stressful time with a month before the election...and sometimes, especially if you see a tiny hippo and the hippo’s screaming, it’s like, that’s exactly how I feel,” Cronin said.

Referred to as “baby schema,” Vox explained the idea that it’s in our human nature to feel warmly toward any animal or creature resembling a baby because of how protective we are of infants. 

Another Vox article states, “Researchers have found that people are attracted to content and characters that validate their own experiences, and that reflect their own beliefs or feelings.” With a more feisty character like Moo Deng, it makes sense that many likely relate to her diva-esque moments and love for sleep. 

Regardless of the reason, the fanbases and outreach of both Moo Deng and Pesto continue to grow, nuzzling their way into the hearts of viewers both virtually and in person.