How Jimothy the raccoon became the internet's latest animal obsession

BBC Technology Society 07/24/2026, 22:27 Score 6/10

Summary

It all began with an innocuous video shared by Seattle resident Kiana Hall on Instagram.

Original Text

PublishedPublished24 July 2026, 13:40 BST24 July 2026, 13:40 BST

Charli XCX might be hoping Charli XCX might be hoping the release of her new albumthe release of her new album sets off another Brat summer, but many believe the season has already been claimed by a furrier force - Jimothy. sets off another Brat summer, but many believe the season has already been claimed by a furrier force - Jimothy.

First spotted bounding across streets in Washington, the Seattle raccoon with an unusual, spindly shape and the scamper of a Tasmanian Devil has been seized on by the internet as a new hit meme.First spotted bounding across streets in Washington, the Seattle raccoon with an unusual, spindly shape and the scamper of a Tasmanian Devil has been seized on by the internet as a new hit meme.

Like Like Moo DengMoo Deng and and Neil the SealNeil the Seal before him, he is the latest cute, distinctive and seemingly chaotic creature to be immortalised in amateur footage, sometimes cringeworthy brand posts, and even murals. before him, he is the latest cute, distinctive and seemingly chaotic creature to be immortalised in amateur footage, sometimes cringeworthy brand posts, and even murals.

But what is it about Jimothy, as he's been nicknamed, that has gripped the internet?But what is it about Jimothy, as he's been nicknamed, that has gripped the internet?

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It all began with an innocuous video shared by Seattle resident Kiana Hall on Instagram.It all began with an innocuous video shared by Seattle resident Kiana Hall on Instagram.

"What am I looking at?" Hall could be heard exclaiming, as the unusual-looking raccoon hurtles across a pavement and up some nearby steps."What am I looking at?" Hall could be heard exclaiming, as the unusual-looking raccoon hurtles across a pavement and up some nearby steps.

A caption alongside it referred to the creature as "Jimothy the raccoon with short spine syndrome".A caption alongside it referred to the creature as "Jimothy the raccoon with short spine syndrome".

While it is not known for sureWhile it is not known for sure if the condition has ca if the condition has caused his appearance, many have assumed as such, and the description has stuck.used his appearance, many have assumed as such, and the description has stuck.

As Hall's Instagram reel spread, it attracted more and more likes, comments and reposts, with more than eight million views as of Friday morning.As Hall's Instagram reel spread, it attracted more and more likes, comments and reposts, with more than eight million views as of Friday morning.

"My brother was talking about Jimothy the other day, and I asked him who he is," reads one comment on Hall's video. "He told me Jimothy would find me, and now he has.""My brother was talking about Jimothy the other day, and I asked him who he is," reads one comment on Hall's video. "He told me Jimothy would find me, and now he has."

Some users have also praised the raccoon's online fame for drawing attention to spine conditions.Some users have also praised the raccoon's online fame for drawing attention to spine conditions.

"I hope that someone can care for Jimothy as a wild animal... he will get older and need more care," wrote one user, who said she had been born with a congenital spine syndrome."I hope that someone can care for Jimothy as a wild animal... he will get older and need more care," wrote one user, who said she had been born with a congenital spine syndrome.

Jimothy would not be the first to attract online fame for such a condition, Australian YouTuber Lessons in Meme Culture Jimothy would not be the first to attract online fame for such a condition, Australian YouTuber Lessons in Meme Culture points outpoints out, , externalexternal..

A dog called Pig became a brief internet sensation in 2014 owing in part to having short spine syndrome.A dog called Pig became a brief internet sensation in 2014 owing in part to having short spine syndrome.

Why is he everywhere?Why is he everywhere?

In a strange pop cultural tradition that covers the likes of In a strange pop cultural tradition that covers the likes of DogeDoge and and Grumpy CatGrumpy Cat, Jimothy has found himself in the crosshairs of media attention for being two things - an unusual animal and very shareable., Jimothy has found himself in the crosshairs of media attention for being two things - an unusual animal and very shareable.

"As cities expand and food waste increases, humans and raccoons cross paths more often," said Dr Idil Galip, digital culture researcher at the University of Amsterdam."As cities expand and food waste increases, humans and raccoons cross paths more often," said Dr Idil Galip, digital culture researcher at the University of Amsterdam.

"More encounters mean more footage of raccoons being funny and in today's fast-moving, saturated feeds, that footage can become a meme almost instantly.""More encounters mean more footage of raccoons being funny and in today's fast-moving, saturated feeds, that footage can become a meme almost instantly."

He hasn't just been celebrated in posts from fans across social media.He hasn't just been celebrated in posts from fans across social media.

The online outpouring of love for Jimothy has also since translated into the real world - with one local artist celebrating him with a mural in the neighbourhood of Ballard, where he was first spotted.The online outpouring of love for Jimothy has also since translated into the real world - with one local artist celebrating him with a mural in the neighbourhood of Ballard, where he was first spotted.

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President Donald Trump's White House social media accounts, no stranger to tapping into online culture to promote his agenda, have also shared a Jimothy meme.President Donald Trump's White House social media accounts, no stranger to tapping into online culture to promote his agenda, have also shared a Jimothy meme.

In In a post on Xa post on X, , externalexternal, it portrayed the raccoon donning a red hat emblazoned with "Trump was right about everything"., it portrayed the raccoon donning a red hat emblazoned with "Trump was right about everything".

Blissfully unaware of his 15 seconds of viral fame, the raccoon has become fodder for brands racing to capitalise on consumer interest in the latest online trend.Blissfully unaware of his 15 seconds of viral fame, the raccoon has become fodder for brands racing to capitalise on consumer interest in the latest online trend.

Among the things Jimothy has amassed so far are:Among the things Jimothy has amassed so far are:

A Google animation which runs across the screen when you search "Jimothy"A Google animation which runs across the screen when you search "Jimothy"A Google animation which runs across the screen when you search "Jimothy"A Google animation which runs across the screen when you search "Jimothy"

Meme coins named in his honour - part of a grand tradition where crypto fans jump on viral moments to make digital coins with questionable valueMeme coins named in his honour - part of a grand tradition where crypto fans jump on viral moments to make digital coins with questionable valueMeme coins named in his honour - part of a grand tradition where crypto fans jump on viral moments to make digital coins with questionable valueMeme coins named in his honour - part of a grand tradition where crypto fans jump on viral moments to make digital coins with questionable value

An An An An upcoming appearanceupcoming appearanceupcoming appearanceupcoming appearance, , , , externalexternalexternalexternal in World of Warcraft' fictional Azeroth in World of Warcraft' fictional Azeroth in World of Warcraft' fictional Azeroth in World of Warcraft' fictional Azeroth

"Meme marketing is now standard practice for many brands," said Dr Galip."Meme marketing is now standard practice for many brands," said Dr Galip.

"They will hop on to whatever's trending, hoping the visibility rubs off on them. "They will hop on to whatever's trending, hoping the visibility rubs off on them.

"A viral moment can give momentary brand visibility, in searches and social media feeds, where the attention is.""A viral moment can give momentary brand visibility, in searches and social media feeds, where the attention is."

He's even popped up in Minecraft, or so the official account claims.He's even popped up in Minecraft, or so the official account claims.

From naughty penguins to ungovernable elephant seals, funny animals attracting attention on the internet is nothing new.From naughty penguins to ungovernable elephant seals, funny animals attracting attention on the internet is nothing new.

But the surge of interest and drive to document these quirky, characterful creatures can often result in pleas from local officials to respect their privacy and safety.But the surge of interest and drive to document these quirky, characterful creatures can often result in pleas from local officials to respect their privacy and safety.

People in Washington and its most populous city Seattle have been similarly warned not to approach Jimothy to protect him and themselves.People in Washington and its most populous city Seattle have been similarly warned not to approach Jimothy to protect him and themselves.

"As long as you don't try to pet him, cuddle him or feed him, Jimothy poses zero public health risk," said "As long as you don't try to pet him, cuddle him or feed him, Jimothy poses zero public health risk," said the state health department on Threadsthe state health department on Threads, , externalexternal..

But in an otherwise overwhelming online landscape, some feel these viral moments offer some relief.But in an otherwise overwhelming online landscape, some feel these viral moments offer some relief.

"The internet is a lot. It is too much, constantly, in every direction," writes Jamie Slack on her blog, "The internet is a lot. It is too much, constantly, in every direction," writes Jamie Slack on her blog, Totally the BombTotally the Bomb, , externalexternal..

"And then Jimothy shows up and for one brief weird moment everyone is on the same page - rooting for this little gremlin, giggling at his name, feeling weirdly connected to strangers over absolutely nothing.""And then Jimothy shows up and for one brief weird moment everyone is on the same page - rooting for this little gremlin, giggling at his name, feeling weirdly connected to strangers over absolutely nothing."

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